Lehigh County Allentown Marriage License

Applying for a marriage license in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania is done through the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court at the Lehigh County Government Center in Allentown. Lehigh County is part of the Lehigh Valley metropolitan area in eastern Pennsylvania and is one of the more populous counties in the state. The office requires an appointment for all marriage license applications and also offers an online pre-application to help couples prepare before their visit. Both applicants must appear together in person to complete the process.

Lehigh County Register of Wills in Allentown

The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court is the office that issues marriage licenses in Lehigh County. It is located at the Lehigh County Government Center at 17 South 7th Street in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The Government Center serves as the hub for many county government functions, and the Register of Wills office handles marriage applications, estate filings, and Orphans' Court records from that location.

An appointment is required to apply for a Lehigh County marriage license. The office does not accept walk-ins for this service. Couples should call 610-782-3000 to schedule their appointment prior to visiting the Government Center. The online pre-application is also available through the Lehigh County website and allows applicants to enter their information in advance. Completing this step before the appointment can reduce the time spent at the counter, though both parties are still required to appear in person to sign and verify the application.

Lehigh County's office hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Note that the closing time is slightly earlier than some other county offices in Pennsylvania, so plan to arrive with enough time to complete the process before 4:00 p.m.

Steps to Get a Lehigh County Marriage License

The process begins with scheduling an appointment. Call the Register of Wills at 610-782-3000 or use the online pre-application on the Lehigh County website to get started. On the day of the appointment, both applicants must appear together in person at the Government Center. This requirement is established by Pennsylvania statute §1306, which applies to all marriage license applications in the state.

Visiting the Lehigh County website before your appointment allows you to complete the pre-application and review any updated requirements or procedures.

After the application is submitted and accepted at the office, a mandatory three-day waiting period applies. Under §1303, the license cannot be issued until three days have passed from the application date. The day of application is not included in the count. Once issued, the license is valid for 60 days under §1310. If the ceremony does not occur within that period, the license expires and a new application must be filed.

Both applicants must be at least 18 years of age as required by §1304(b). Under §1301, no marriage in Pennsylvania may take place without a valid license.

Note: The $100.00 Lehigh County marriage license fee is among the higher fees in Pennsylvania. Confirm payment methods with the office when scheduling your appointment.

Required Documents for a Lehigh County Marriage License

Both applicants must bring valid photo identification to the Register of Wills appointment. Accepted forms of ID include a government-issued driver's license, a state ID card, or a current passport. The ID must be unexpired and clearly identify the applicant. Staff will review the documents at the time of the appointment.

If either applicant was previously married, documentation showing the dissolution of that marriage is required. A certified copy of a divorce decree is needed for a prior marriage that ended in divorce. A certified death certificate is required if a prior spouse is deceased. Lehigh County staff need to verify that each applicant is legally eligible to marry before the license can be issued. Bring original documents or certified copies, as photocopies are typically not sufficient.

There is no residency requirement for a Lehigh County marriage license. Applicants who live outside the county or outside Pennsylvania may apply here, provided both parties appear in person and all documentation requirements are met. This makes Lehigh County an accessible option for couples in the broader Lehigh Valley region and beyond.

Who Can Officiate a Lehigh County Marriage

Pennsylvania law defines the class of persons authorized to perform a marriage ceremony. Under §1503, authorized officiants include judges of any court of record, justices of the peace, ordained or licensed clergy members of recognized religious organizations, and mayors of municipalities in Pennsylvania.

Couples in Lehigh County have many options. Allentown, as the county seat and a major city, has a range of religious institutions and civil officials available to officiate ceremonies. Judges and justices of the peace can conduct civil ceremonies. Clergy from churches, temples, mosques, and other faith communities may perform religious ceremonies. Couples seeking a non-denominational civil option may contact the county courts for referrals to available officials.

After the ceremony, the officiant must complete and return the marriage license to the Register of Wills. The completed document must show the date and location of the ceremony and be signed by the officiant. Returning the license creates the official public record of the marriage in Lehigh County. Couples should confirm this post-ceremony responsibility with their chosen officiant before the wedding day.

Lehigh County Marriage Records Access

Lehigh County marriage records have been maintained since 1885. The Register of Wills office holds these records and can provide certified copies for legal purposes. Certified marriage records are commonly needed for name changes, insurance updates, immigration filings, and other official matters.

Lehigh County is part of the Lehigh Valley region alongside Northampton County, and the area has a long history reflected in its public records. Genealogical researchers looking for historical Lehigh County marriage data can consult the Pennsylvania State Archives, which maintains vital statistics records from across the state and provides online search access for many record types.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health genealogy research page is another resource for researchers working with older marriage records. It offers guidance on how to locate and request vital records from both state and county sources. For any records needed in official form, the Pennsylvania vital records forms page provides the correct request forms and submission instructions.

The Pennsylvania Orphans' Court clerks directory lists contact information for Lehigh County and all other Pennsylvania county offices, making it easy to identify the right office for any record request.

Note: Lehigh County marriage records from 1885 onward are part of the official county archive. Older records, if they exist, may be available through the Pennsylvania State Archives or historical society collections.

Pennsylvania Counties Near Lehigh

Lehigh County borders several other eastern Pennsylvania counties. Couples near county lines may find it useful to compare marriage license requirements and fees at neighboring offices before deciding where to apply.