Mifflin County Marriage License in Lewistown PA
Mifflin County lies in the heart of central Pennsylvania along the Juniata River valley, a scenic region surrounded by Tussey Mountain to the south and Jacks Mountain to the north. Couples who plan to marry in Mifflin County must obtain a marriage license from the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court at the Mifflin County Courthouse in Lewistown before any ceremony can legally occur. The application process follows Pennsylvania state law and requires both applicants to appear in person together at the courthouse. This page covers every step of the process, from gathering documents to understanding waiting periods and record requests.
Mifflin County Quick Facts
Mifflin County Register of Wills Office Details
The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court at the Mifflin County Courthouse is the authorized office for issuing marriage licenses in Mifflin County. Located in downtown Lewistown on North Wayne Street, the courthouse is accessible during regular business hours on weekdays. Arriving during non-peak hours, such as mid-morning, often results in a shorter wait. The office is closed on Pennsylvania state holidays.
| Office | Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans' Court Mifflin County Courthouse, 20 North Wayne Street Lewistown, PA 17044 Phone: (717) 248-4894 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Fee | Contact office for current fee |
Calling ahead to (717) 248-4894 is the best way to confirm the current marriage license fee and ask any questions about what to bring on your visit day. Staff can also clarify requirements specific to your situation, such as documentation related to a prior marriage.
Note: The Mifflin County Courthouse may have limited parking during busy periods, so plan to arrive with extra time to find parking and locate the correct office inside the building.
How to Apply for a Marriage License in Mifflin County
Under 23 Pa. C.S. §1306, both applicants must be physically present at the same time when applying for a Mifflin County marriage license. One person cannot complete the application alone. This in-person appearance requirement applies universally across Pennsylvania and cannot be waived. Both individuals must stand before the clerk together and submit their application at the same time.
Once the application is submitted and accepted, the three-day waiting period required by 23 Pa. C.S. §1303 begins. These three days are counted as calendar days from the date of application, not business days. Your wedding ceremony cannot occur until the waiting period expires. After the waiting period ends, the license is valid for 60 days under 23 Pa. C.S. §1310. The ceremony must happen within that window, or the license expires and you must reapply.
A license is required under 23 Pa. C.S. §1301 before any marriage ceremony in Pennsylvania. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old under 23 Pa. C.S. §1304(b).
Identification and Records Required in Lewistown
Each applicant must bring valid, government-issued photo identification to the Mifflin County Register of Wills office. The ID must display your full legal name and date of birth. A current Pennsylvania driver's license is accepted, as are state-issued identification cards, U.S. passports, and military identification cards.
Both applicants must also provide their Social Security numbers. You do not need to bring your physical Social Security card, but you must know your number when completing the application. If either applicant has been previously married, the application will ask for information about how that marriage ended, including the date of divorce, annulment, or the death of a former spouse. Having relevant documentation available is helpful, even if the clerk does not always require physical proof on the day of application. Providing accurate information on the marriage license application is important because the completed document becomes part of the official Mifflin County public record.
The image below links to the Mifflin County Register and Recorder official page, where you can find current details about the office and its services.
The official county website is the best source for the most up-to-date information about the Register of Wills office in Lewistown.
Officiants Who Can Marry Couples in Mifflin County
Pennsylvania law under 23 Pa. C.S. §1503 specifies who is authorized to perform a marriage ceremony in the commonwealth. Recognized officiants include ordained ministers, licensed clergy of any religious denomination, judges, justices of the peace, and designated civil officers. Mifflin County couples can choose from a variety of religious and civil officiants when planning their ceremony.
After the ceremony concludes, the officiant is responsible for completing the marriage certificate section of the license and returning it to the Mifflin County Register of Wills office. This return step creates the official marriage record and is not optional. Without the returned and completed certificate, there is no county record of the marriage. If you plan to request a certified copy of your marriage record after the wedding, confirm with your officiant that they intend to return the document promptly.
Note: Couples who plan destination weddings in Mifflin County from other states should verify that their officiant holds valid authorization under Pennsylvania law before scheduling the ceremony.
Mifflin County Marriage Records and Genealogy
The Register of Wills office in Lewistown holds Mifflin County marriage records dating back to 1885. These records are maintained as part of the official county archive and are available for research purposes. Individuals who need to verify a past marriage or locate a record for legal purposes can contact the office directly to ask about the retrieval process and any associated fees.
Researchers tracing family history in Mifflin County often use both county-level records and state-level resources. The Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains a genealogy program that can help locate vital records across the commonwealth. The Pennsylvania vital records genealogy page provides guidance on searching for historical marriage, birth, and death records in Pennsylvania.
Using both county and state resources gives researchers the best chance of locating complete and accurate historical marriage records from Mifflin County and surrounding areas.
About Mifflin County, Pennsylvania
Mifflin County is a small, largely rural county situated in the geographic center of Pennsylvania. The Juniata River runs through the county, and the landscape is defined by ridge-and-valley topography typical of central Pennsylvania. Lewistown, the county seat, is the largest borough in the county and serves as the commercial and administrative hub for the region.
The county is bordered by Centre County to the north, Huntingdon County to the south, Juniata County to the east, Union County to the northeast, and Snyder County to the northeast as well. Couples who live near the borders of these counties may find it worth checking which county office is most accessible for their application. Each county in Pennsylvania follows the same state statutes but may have slightly different fees and local procedures.
Mifflin County has a strong agricultural heritage. Many weddings in the county take place at farms, outdoor venues, and small churches throughout the townships. The Register of Wills office in Lewistown serves all residents regardless of where in the county they plan to hold their ceremony.
Pennsylvania's 67 orphans' court offices are listed in the statewide directory maintained by the Pennsylvania Courts system. You can find contact details for every county through the Pennsylvania Courts orphans court clerks directory.
This statewide directory is a useful starting point if you need to compare procedures or contact offices in neighboring counties.
- Both applicants must appear together at the Mifflin County Courthouse
- Bring valid photo ID showing your legal name and date of birth
- Provide Social Security numbers for both applicants
- Wait at least three days after applying before holding the ceremony
- Complete your ceremony within 60 days of receiving the license
- Contact (717) 248-4894 to verify the current fee before your visit
Nearby Pennsylvania Counties
Mifflin County is surrounded by several central Pennsylvania counties. If you live near a county boundary, the following links will take you to information about neighboring county marriage license offices.