Somerset County Marriage License Office
Somerset County is in southwestern Pennsylvania, a region known for its rolling farmland, forested ridges, and proximity to the Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville. The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court in the borough of Somerset handles all marriage license applications for the county. Sharon K. Ackerman serves as the officeholder. The office has several features that set it apart from other Pennsylvania counties, including a cash-only payment policy, an available waiting period waiver, and the option to obtain a self-uniting license. This guide covers what applicants need to know before visiting Suite 145 at 111 East Union Street in Somerset.
Somerset County Quick Facts
Somerset County Register of Wills Location and Hours
The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court is located at the Somerset County Courthouse, Suite 145, 111 East Union Street, Somerset, PA 15501. Sharon K. Ackerman serves as the elected officeholder. The office phone number is (814) 445-1548, and the fax is (814) 445-1542. For general inquiries, the office can also be reached by email at sackerman@co.somerset.pa.us.
| Office | Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans' Court County Courthouse, 111 E. Union Street, Suite 145, Somerset, PA 15501 Phone: (814) 445-1548 | Fax: (814) 445-1542 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Fee | Approximately $40-$75 cash only (verify with office) |
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The office is closed on weekends and public holidays. Payment is accepted in cash only, and having the exact amount is recommended. Credit cards and checks are not accepted. If you are unsure of the current fee before your visit, call (814) 445-1548 to confirm the exact amount so you can bring the right cash.
The Somerset County Courthouse is accessible by car, and parking is generally available nearby. Suite 145 is the designated location for the Register of Wills. If you are visiting the courthouse for the first time, courthouse staff can direct you to the correct suite once you are inside the building.
The Somerset County official website provides additional information about county offices, including updates on fees and hours for the Register of Wills.
How to Apply for a Somerset County Marriage License
Both applicants must appear in person at the Register of Wills office in Somerset. Pennsylvania statute §1306 requires both parties to be present at the time of application. Neither partner can submit the application alone or on behalf of the other. This requirement is universal across all 67 Pennsylvania counties.
After the application is accepted, the standard three-day waiting period under §1303 begins. Somerset County offers a waiting period waiver for couples who cannot wait three days. The waiver costs $15.00 in cash. To request the waiver, send a letter to the office that includes both applicants' names, a phone number, proof of the wedding date, and a return address. The office will review the request and respond accordingly. Not every waiver request is automatically granted; proof of need is important.
Once issued, the marriage license is valid for 60 days as required by §1310. A license that expires before the ceremony requires a new application and full fee. Both applicants must be at least 18 years of age under §1304(b). A marriage license is required for all marriages under §1301.
Note: Waiver requests for the three-day waiting period must be submitted in advance with full details. Contact the office at (814) 445-1548 for the current process and requirements before submitting your letter.
Somerset County Marriage License Requirements
Somerset County has specific documentation requirements that applicants must satisfy before a license can be issued. Gathering everything before the visit is the best way to ensure the application goes smoothly.
- Valid government-issued photo identification for each applicant
- Social Security numbers for both applicants (requested at time of application)
- Certified divorce decree with raised seal if either applicant was previously divorced
- Death certificate of a prior spouse if either applicant is widowed
- Certified English translation of any foreign-language documents
Applicants under 18 face additional requirements in Somerset County. Those under 18 must pay an additional $5.00 fee and bring a birth certificate along with written consent from a parent or guardian. Applicants under 16 require both parental consent and approval from an Orphans' Court judge before a license can be issued. These age-related thresholds are consistent with the age requirements set by §1304(b).
Foreign documents must be translated into English by a certified translator before they can be accepted. The office cannot accept untranslated foreign-language divorce decrees, death certificates, or other required documents. Arranging translations in advance avoids delays during your office visit.
Self-Uniting Licenses in Somerset County
Somerset County offers self-uniting marriage licenses, also called Quaker licenses. A self-uniting license allows a couple to marry without a third-party officiant. The couple solemnizes their own marriage in front of witnesses. This option is rooted in Pennsylvania's historic Quaker tradition and remains available under state law.
If you want a self-uniting license, you must inform the clerk before the application process begins. This is an important procedural step. Once the standard license application process has started, converting to a self-uniting license may not be possible. Letting the clerk know your intent at the outset allows the correct paperwork to be prepared from the start.
Self-uniting ceremonies still require witnesses. The exact number of witnesses required should be confirmed with the Register of Wills office when you notify them of your intent to obtain a self-uniting license. The license itself is completed in the same way as a standard license, with the ceremony date and location recorded before it is returned to the county office.
Marriage Officiants Under Pennsylvania Law
For couples using a standard marriage license, a qualified officiant must be present at the ceremony. Pennsylvania statute §1503 defines who may legally solemnize a marriage in the commonwealth. Authorized officiants include judges, justices of the peace, mayors, ordained ministers, priests, and rabbis from established religious organizations. Somerset County couples have options ranging from local clergy to civil officials in the borough of Somerset or surrounding municipalities.
After the ceremony, the officiant is responsible for signing the license and recording the ceremony's date and location. The completed license must be returned to the Register of Wills within the required period. Couples should discuss return procedures with their officiant before the wedding day. Failure to return the completed license results in no official marriage record being created, which can cause complications for future legal needs.
If you are considering having a friend or family member ordained online to perform your ceremony, verify in advance that their ordination is recognized under Pennsylvania law. Courts in Pennsylvania have occasionally scrutinized internet ordinations. Consulting with the Register of Wills or an attorney on this point can prevent problems after the fact.
Somerset County Marriage Records Access
The Register of Wills in Somerset maintains marriage records as part of the county's permanent public archive. Certified copies of marriage records are available from the office. Contact (814) 445-1548 to ask about the current process for requesting a copy and the applicable fee. Cash-only payment applies to copy fees just as it does to the license fee itself.
Researchers seeking older marriage records from Somerset County can consult the Pennsylvania State Archives, which maintains statewide vital statistics records. The archives are accessible online and in person in Harrisburg. For Somerset County records predating the county office's holdings or those that supplement what is available locally, the State Archives is an important resource.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health vital records forms page also provides access to official forms for requesting records through state channels. This can be useful when a certified copy is needed for legal purposes and the county office does not have the specific record on file.
Nearby Counties to Somerset Pennsylvania
Somerset County is bordered by Bedford, Cambria, Fayette, and Westmoreland counties. Couples who live near a border or plan to marry in a neighboring county can compare processes and fees by reviewing those counties' pages.