Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Location: Court House 2nd flr. Driving directions...
PLANNING TO MARRY
WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO OBTAIN A MARRIAGE LICENSE?
Applicants seeking a marriage license must appear together in the Marriage License Bureau of the Register of Wills Office and complete an Application for Marriage License. The Marriage License Bureau is located on the second floor of the Courthouse, Swede and Airy Streets, Norristown, PA.
WHEN SHOULD WE APPLY FOR A LICENSE AND HOW LONG IS IT VALID?
Applicants should take the necessary steps to obtain a Marriage License 2 to 3 weeks before the scheduled date of their marriage ceremony.
When you apply for license, you may take it with you.
A marriage license is valid for 60 days from date it is issued.
For additional information: Contact the Marriage License bureau at (610) 278-3414 or (610)292-4965.
If you cannot speak ENGLISH, an independent translator must accompany the applicants.
MAY A MARRIAGE LICENSE ISSUED IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY BE USED ANYWHERE ELSE?
A Marriage License issued in Montgomery County may be used anywhere in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Likewise, a License issued in any other county in Pennsylvania may be used in Montgomery County.
WHAT ABOUT PRIOR MARRIAGES?
Applicants who have been previously married and divorced must have a form of photo I.D. and must furnish a certified copy of the Decree of Divorce dissolving the marriage. If your name has been changed back to your maiden name, we must see the copy of the decree stating that you have retaken your surname. Certified copies of divorce decrees may be obtained by contacting the Prothonotary office of the county in which the decree was granted. A widow or widower must provide the date of death of their former spouse. Foreign divorce decrees must be translated by an official Translator on their official letterhead. Certified copy of decree is needed if the bride resumed her maiden name.
WHAT ARE THE AGE REQUIREMENTS TO MARRY?
Applicants must be 18 years of age in order to apply for a marriage license. This rule applies to both male and female applicants. Applicants between 16-18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to provide written consent to the marriage. Applicants under 16 years of age must have both the written approval of a judge of the Orphans’ Court Division of the Common Pleas AND a parent or legal guardian given written consent.
WHO MAY NOT MARRY?
Persons related by blood, up to and including first cousins, may not marry in Pennsylvania. Other prohibitions and policies are posted in the Marriage License Bureau of the Register of Wills Office.
WHAT ARE THE FEES FOR A MARRIAGE LICENSE?
The fees for a Marriage License vary from county to county. Montgomery County fees, including Pennsylvania taxes and surcharges are as follows:
Montgomery County Fee
$24.50
Pennsylvania Writ Tax
.50
Act 151 Domestic Violence
10.00
Act 222 Children’s Fund
10.00
TOTAL
45.00 (CASH ONLY)
WHO MUST FILE THE MARRIAGE RETURN?
The officiate performing the marriage ceremony must file the Marriage Return with the Marriage License Bureau which issued the license, within ten (10) days of the date of the ceremony. A marriage record will not exist if the officiate who performs the marriage fails to file this document. Upon request, the Marriage License Bureau will inform the couples whether their marriage return has been filed and recorded.
DUPLICATE MARRIAGE LICENSES:
The Montgomery County Marriage License Bureau now offers a certified copy of a couple’s marriage license. Certified copies may be obtained by contacting the Marriage License Bureau at the address provided. There is a $10.00 fee for a certified copy. Couples who wish to obtain a certified copy of their marriage record may do so by contacting the county in which their marriage license was issued. Any couple that obtained their marriage license with Montgomery County may also print out a form to request specific types of copies of their license; this form is located in the forms section of this website.
OFFICE HOURS:
The Marriage License Bureau is open exclusive of Holidays, Monday – Friday, 8:30AM – 4:15PM – Court House
QUESTIONS:
Applicants who have questions concerning any of the material contained on this page may contact the Marriage License Bureau at (610) 278-3414 or 292-4965 or write to:
D. Bruce Hanes, Esq. Register of Wills Montgomery County Courthouse P.O. Box 311 Norristown, Pa 19404-0311
