Applicants who don't speak English may not translate for each other.  A third party translator, 18 or older, must be present with valid ID at the time of application.

Cell phones are not permitted inside the Lancaster County Courthouse.

Both parties must appear in person to apply for a license.

When to Apply 

• Office hours are 8:30am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday.  BOTH PARTIES SHOULD BE PRESENT IN OUR OFFICE WITH REQUIRED DOCUMENTS READY BY 3:45 p.m.
• Licenses are valid for 60 days from issue date
• Marriage licenses are valid on the third day following application
• Waiting times may be longer between noon and 4 p.m., and all day on Fridays
• We do not schedule appointments

ID and Age Requirements

• Social Security Number

  
   If you don't know your social security number from memory, you must present your original social security card

• Government issued photo ID 

• We will accept any current identification issued by a government agency, bearing both a photograph and expiration date
• We reserve the right to require additional forms of identification as deemed necessary

Age Requirements

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.  Younger applicants see below:

Applicants Under 18

• A parent or guardian must be present and give consent at time of application.
• Applicant must present their birth certificate, plus an additional $5

Applicants Under 16

• A parent or guardian must be present and give consent at time of application.
• Applicant must have approval of a judge of the Orphans Court

Remarriages

Information regarding the dissolution of the last marriage by divorce or annulment must be presented.

Divorces

You must present a certified copy of a divorce decree bearing a court seal and signature.
Decrees in a foreign language must be officially translated into English and the transalation must be notarized. 
If a maiden name has been resumed, you must present a Resumption of Maiden Name document. 

Annulments

You must present a certified copy of an annulment bearing a court seal and signature.
Annulments in a foreign language must be officially translated into English and notarized and the translation must be notarized.
If a maiden name has been resumed you must present a Resumption of Maiden Name document.

Widows and Widowers

The date of death of the deceased spouse is required.
You do not need to present a death certificate.

Who May not Marry

Blood relatives down to and including first cousins may not marry under the laws of Pennsylvania.

Ceremony

A license issued by any Pennsylvania county can be used in any Pennsylvania county, however, the license is invalid outside of Pennsylvania.

Fee

• Application and License: $60
• Cash only

Certified Copies

To obtain certified copies of your marriage certificate, either stop by our office, or send $10 for each copy, payable to the Clerk of Orphans' Court, along with:

• Names of both applicants
• Date of marriage
• A self addressed, stamped, legal size envelope to:
  Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans' Court
  50 N. Duke St.
  Lancaster, PA 17602

Please click to download the Certified Marriage Request Form.

Internet Ordinations

Based on court cases resulting in conflicting judgments, applicants are advised that persons who have been ordained over the Internet may or may not be persons permitted to perform marriages in Pennsylvania.  You are advised to consult an attorney concerning the legality of such marriages.

Magisterial District Judges

View a list of Magisterial District Judges.  

Maryland Non Resident Marriage License Application 

As of January 1, 2013, the  Lancaster County Clerk of Orphans' Court no longer completes the Non-Resident Marriage License Application for Lancaster residents who wish to be married in Maryland.

Disclaimer of Liability

Please be advised: if you choose to be married by someone other than the officiants specifically listed as authorized by Pennsylvania law, the burden of proof will be on you regarding the legality of your marriage should future issues arise that require a determination of the marriage's validity.