REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A MARRIAGE LICENSE
ATTENTION:
NO CELL PHONES, PAGERS, WEAPONS, OR CAMERAS ARE PERMITTED IN THE YORK COUNTY JUDICIAL CENTER
Each of the applicants for a marriage license shall appear in person and shall make his or her respective part of the application, which must be signed and sworn to.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS ARE REQUIRED.
AS OF JUNE 1, 2004 PHOTO ID IS REQUIRED.
We reserve the right to require any ID as deemed necessary.
Blank forms of application are NOT supplied to applicants.
If any applicant is under eighteen(18) years of age, the consent of the custodial parent or guardian of such applicant must be given in writing on the legal form for that purpose, and properly acknowledged before a Clerk in the Orphans’ Court Office, or before a District Justice or a Notary Public, or an office authorized to take acknowledgements anywhere.
If either applicant is under sixteen (16) years of age, that individual must petition the Orphans’ Court for Judicial authorization to obtain a marriage license.
If the custodial parent of a minor applicant is deceased, or residence unknown, the consent of a Court appointed Guardian of his or her person, must be supplied with the application. If a minor orphan-applicant has no court appointed guardian this office should be consulted in the matter.
Form for consent of parents or guardian will be furnished applicant for completion by parents or guardian before a District Justice or Notary Public, if it cannot be arranged for the parents or guardian to come to this office to execute the form of consent.
If an applicant has been previously married and divorced, a copy of the FINAL decree of divorce, for previous marriage, under proper seal, must be filed with the application, and in the case of female applicant, proof must be shown of her right to resume the use of her maiden name.
If marriage was dissolved by death, this office needs date of death only.
Intoxication or drug abuse - the marriage law forbids the Clerk of Orphans' Court to issue a marriage license if either applicant is under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotic drug at the time they make their application, 23 PA C.S. 1304 (d).
Appeal - applicants aggrieved by refusal of the Clerk of Orphans' Court to issue a marriage license may appeal to the court pursuant to section 1308 of the Marriage Law, 23 PA C.S. 1308 (a).
Incompetent persons - if either of the applicants is weak-minded, insane or unsound mind or is under guardianship as a person of unsound mind, that applicant must submit a letter from the attending physician stating the extent of condition and that it is in the best interest of the applicant and the general public that the license should be issued. A Judge of Orphans' Court upon petition will decide whether a marriage license will be issued, 23 PA C.S. 1304 (c).
Criminal penalties - misrepresentation of facts upon a marriage license application is a criminal offense subject to penalties set forth in the Crime Code 18 PA C.S. 4903, 4904.
Upon compliance with all of the requirements, a marriage license may be issued on the THIRD day after the legal filing of an application.
Requirement for blood tests and physicals has been abolished as of June 1997.
In cases of emergency or extraordinary circumstances, the Judge of Orphans’ Court may upon petition to it waive the 3 day waiting period. In such cases applicants must contact the Clerk of Orphans’ Court office and complete the Reguest for Waiver.
A marriage license issued in this county is valid anywhere in Pennsylvania.
A marriage license is valid for sixty (60) days from the date of issuance. If it is not used within the sixty (60) days, it is void and should be surrendered to this office for cancellation.
Non-residents of Pennsylvania can obtain a marriage license in this office by complying with the above requirements
Marriage by proxy is NOT possible.
A minister, District Justice, et al must return the duplicate certificate of marriage directly to this office within ten (10) days after the solemnization of the marriage as required by law.
The law requires that all marriage records, be available for the information of the representatives of the press and for public inspection.
The fee for a marriage license is:
Filing application and issuance of license $50.00 - includes one (1) certified copy (We do not accept Credit Cards)
Waiver (Armed Forces Exempt) $20.00
Filing consent of parents or guardian of EACH minor applicant $5.00
Petition for Authorization of a marriage license under sixteen (16) $35.00
ALL FEES MUST BE PAID AT THE TIME OF FILING THE APPLICATION
Customer Counter is open 8:00 AM - 4:15 PM for Application and Issuance of Marriage Licenses.
All communications should be addressed to:
Clerk of Orphans Court
York County Judicial Center
Second Floor
45 North George Street
York, PA 17401
YOU MAY CALL (717)771-9615 TO HEAR A RECORDED MESSAGE REGARDING ISSUANCE OF MARRIAGE LICENSES.
