Philadelphia Marriage License at City Hall

Philadelphia Register of Wills Office at City Hall

The Marriage License Department is located in Room 413 at Philadelphia City Hall, which sits at the center of the city at Broad and Market Streets. This office handles the full volume of marriage license applications for one of the most populous counties in Pennsylvania. Walk-in applicants are accepted Monday through Friday until 3:15 p.m., and appointments are available for those who prefer to schedule a specific time. Appointment requests can be made by emailing MLAppt@phila.gov.

Payment is accepted by Visa, Mastercard, or money order only. The office does not accept cash or personal checks. Bring a card or money order prepared in the correct amount to avoid delays at the window. Note: A certified copy of the marriage license purchased at the time of application costs $15.00; the same copy ordered after your application is complete costs $40.00, so purchasing one at the time of application is often the more economical choice.

What to Bring to Room 413

Both applicants must appear together in person at City Hall Room 413. Each person must present a primary photo ID. Accepted forms include a driver's license, state-issued ID card, passport, military ID, or a Philadelphia City ID. In addition to the photo ID, each applicant must provide a secondary form of identification showing their Social Security number or Tax ID (ITIN). This can be a Social Security card, a tax document, or another official document that clearly displays the number. Both forms of ID are required for each applicant.

If either applicant was previously married, additional documentation is required. A widowed applicant must bring a certified copy of the former spouse's death certificate. A divorced applicant must bring the original divorce decree or a certified copy. Foreign-language documents must be accompanied by a certified English translation before they will be accepted by the office. Do not bring uncertified photocopies of these critical documents; the office requires originals or certified copies only.

Under 23 Pa.C.S. §1304(b), both applicants must be 18 years of age or older. Philadelphia does not process applications for underage individuals through the marriage license office.

Interpreter Services and Non-English Speakers

Philadelphia's Marriage License Department serves a highly diverse population and has provisions for applicants who are not English-speaking. You may bring your own interpreter, provided that person is at least 18 years old and can present a valid photo ID. Alternatively, you may request a free interpreter through the office if you provide at least 48 hours' notice before your appointment or visit. Contact the office at (215) 686-2233 or email MLAppt@phila.gov to arrange interpreter services in advance. Bringing your own interpreter can often be the simpler option if a bilingual friend or family member is available.

Pennsylvania Law and the Philadelphia Marriage License

The Philadelphia marriage license process is grounded in the same Pennsylvania statutes that govern every county in the Commonwealth. Under 23 Pa.C.S. §1301, a valid marriage license is required before any marriage ceremony can be performed in Pennsylvania. The license issued in Philadelphia authorizes a ceremony anywhere in the state, not only within the city. Both applicants must appear together in person as required by §1306.

After the license is issued, the mandatory three-day waiting period under §1303 must elapse before the ceremony can take place. The license is issued on the day you apply, but the ceremony cannot happen until at least three full days have passed. The license is then valid for sixty days from the date of issue under §1310. If the ceremony does not occur within that window, a new application is required. Couples should plan their application date to account for both the three-day wait and enough buffer time before the ceremony.

Philadelphia Self-Uniting and Quaker Marriage Licenses

Philadelphia has a long connection to the Quaker tradition, and the city's Register of Wills recognizes self-uniting marriage licenses for couples whose religious practice does not require an officiant. A self-uniting license, sometimes called a Quaker license, costs $100.00 in Philadelphia, compared to $90.00 for the standard license. Under this format, the couple conducts the ceremony themselves, typically in the presence of witnesses, without a minister or judge to officiate. This option is available to couples of any faith, not only Quakers. Couples interested in a self-uniting license should mention this at the time of application so the correct license is issued.

The self-uniting license is governed by the same waiting period and validity rules as a standard license. The three-day wait under §1303 still applies, and the license expires after sixty days under §1310. The self-uniting format simply removes the requirement for a state-recognized officiant as defined in §1503.

Philadelphia Marriage License Records and Online Search

Philadelphia offers an online marriage record search tool for records from 1995 to the present through the Register of Wills marriage license search page. This tool allows individuals to look up marriage records without visiting City Hall in person. For certified copies of records found through this search, contact the copies and records line at (215) 686-2234.

For marriages that predate 1995, the Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg holds historical vital statistics records from across the Commonwealth. Researchers looking for older Philadelphia marriage records should consult the State Archives as the primary resource for that historical period.

Certified copies of marriage records cost $40.00 if ordered after the application is complete. Copies of marriage licenses can be requested through the Records/Copies line at (215) 686-2234 or by visiting the office in person during regular business hours.

Note: Philadelphia has maintained marriage records going back to the nineteenth century, making it one of the oldest and most extensive county marriage record collections in Pennsylvania.

Who May Perform Marriages in Philadelphia

Under 23 Pa.C.S. §1503, the list of recognized officiants in Pennsylvania is broad. Judges of any court of record, district justices, ordained or licensed ministers of any religious denomination, and officials of religious societies who solemnize marriages in accordance with their traditions are all authorized. Philadelphia's position as a major urban center means couples have access to a large number of clergy, civil officiants, and non-denominational ministers. The self-uniting option is also available for those whose ceremony does not involve a traditional officiant.

Additional Fees, Corrections, and Replacements

Beyond the standard application fee, the Philadelphia Register of Wills charges set amounts for several related services. A correction to a marriage license costs $25.00 and must be requested through the office. A replacement license costs $10.00. All fees are payable by Visa, Mastercard, or money order; no cash or personal checks are accepted at the window.

Couples who anticipate needing a certified copy of their marriage certificate for legal purposes after the wedding are encouraged to purchase one at the time of application for the lower rate of $15.00. Waiting until after the application is submitted raises that cost to $40.00, so purchasing at application time represents a meaningful saving for couples who know they will need a certified copy. Many couples find that having at least two certified copies on hand after the wedding simplifies the process of updating various accounts and records.

After the Philadelphia Ceremony

Following your ceremony, the officiant must complete the marriage license and return it to the Philadelphia Register of Wills. This filing step creates the permanent legal record of your marriage in Philadelphia County. Once the document is filed, certified copies can be requested through the records line at (215) 686-2234. These copies are used for name changes with the Social Security Administration, driver's license updates, passport applications, insurance beneficiary changes, and other legal and administrative purposes after the wedding.

For couples who used a self-uniting license, the completed and signed license must still be returned to the Register of Wills office. The filing process is the same regardless of whether an officiant was used. The signed license confirms that the ceremony took place and completes the official record. Keeping track of who is responsible for returning the license and confirming that it was received by the office is a small but important step that couples should not overlook in the post-wedding period.

Preparing to Apply for Your Philadelphia Marriage License

Philadelphia City Hall is well served by public transit, including the Broad Street and Market-Frankford subway lines and multiple bus routes. The building is accessible from multiple entrances, and Room 413 is on the fourth floor. Allow extra time when visiting City Hall, as security screening at the entrance can add several minutes to your arrival time, particularly during busy midweek mornings.

• Both applicants appear together at City Hall Room 413
• Primary photo ID for each applicant (driver's license, passport, military ID, or PHL City ID)
• Secondary ID showing Social Security number or ITIN for each applicant
• Certified death certificate or original divorce decree if previously married
• Certified English translation for any foreign-language documents
• Payment by Visa, Mastercard, or money order only
• Walk-ins accepted until 3:15 PM; appointments available via MLAppt@phila.gov

Arriving with all required documents fully prepared gives you the best chance of a smooth, fast experience at one of Pennsylvania's busiest marriage license offices.