Marriage License

• Obtaining a marriage license is the first step toward marriage in Pennsylvania. Marriage licenses are distributed by the Clerk of Court's office. Because requirements for obtaining a marriage license vary among marriage license bureaus, you must contact the appropriate Clerk of Court's office for bureau-specific requirements regarding fees and other requirements. Couples must apply for their Pennsylvania marriage license together in person. There is a three-day waiting period between when the marriage license is issued and when it can be used. A Pennsylvania marriage license is valid for 60 days after issue and can only be used in Pennsylvania.
  
  

Age Requirements

• The legal age limit for marriage in Pennsylvania is 18 years old. If you are under 18 years old, you may obtain a marriage license with the consent of a parent or guardian. You must provide a birth certificate and an additional $5. If you are under 16 years old, you must have the approval of a parent or guardian as well as a Judge of the Orphan's Court.
  
  

Officiate

• After the marriage license is issued, an officiate must perform the marriage ceremony and sign the marriage certificate, making the union legal. Justices of the peace, judges and county clerks or their deputies within the appointing county are all authorized to perform legal marriage ceremonies. The County Clerk's office or website can provide you with a list of available officiates. If you want a religious wedding ceremony, the minister of any organized church with a congregation in Pennsylvania may perform your marriage ceremony.
  
  

Special Licenses

• Self-Uniting marriages are recognized in Pennsylvania. A Self-Uniting marriage license allows the couple to get married without an officiate present. Commonly practiced among Quakers, Self-Uniting marriages entail the couple performing their own marriage ceremony. If you are planning a Self-Uniting marriage ceremony, you must contact the Clerk of the county in which you are getting married before beginning the marriage license application process.
  
  

Restrictions

• Pennsylvania has some restrictions on what types of marriages it recognizes. Common law marriage is no longer practiced in Pennsylvania. However, the state will acknowledge common law marriages that took place before January 1, 2005. Proxy marriage is not allowed in Pennsylvania; both parties must be present during the marriage ceremony. Marriage between first cousins is also prohibited, as is marriage between immediate relatives. Pennsylvania does not acknowledge same sex marriage.