Marriage records in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, are available through several channels. PhiladelphiaCourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly accessible information about the county's marriage records. Additionally, records can be obtained directly from the issuing office — the Register of Wills of the city of Philadelphia — as well as by mail or through the Pennsylvania Department of Health's online portal.
Philadelphia Marriage Records Search
In Philadelphia County, marriage licenses are issued and maintained by the Register of Wills (Clerk of the Orphans' Court) office. This institution is responsible for processing marriage licenses, registering returned marriage certificates, and maintaining the county's marriage records archive. The collection includes issued licenses, registered certificates, as well as historical records dating back to the 19th century. Older documents — up to the mid-20th century — are stored in the Philadelphia City Archives.
Register of Wills — Marriage License Bureau
Besides the local office, the Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains a statewide registry of vital records, including marriage records since 1906.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Philadelphia
The cost of services depends on the type of copy and the method of request submission. Below are the main fees established by the Register of Wills office:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of a marriage certificate | $20.00 |
| Each additional copy (in the same order) | $10.00 |
| Search fee, if the exact date is unknown | Included in the cost of the copy |
Fees are charged according to the rates of the Register of Wills office in Philadelphia. Payment is accepted by money order made payable to "Register of Wills." Personal checks are generally not accepted. The processing time for in-person requests is the same day; mail requests are processed within a few weeks.
Separate fees and timelines apply for obtaining copies through the state Department of Health.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Philadelphia
There are three main ways to order a copy of a marriage certificate.
In Person
Visit the Register of Wills office in City Hall, Room 415. No appointment is necessary — service is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. You need to:
- Provide the names of both spouses and the approximate date of marriage
- Present a valid photo ID
- Pay the fee by money order
By Mail
Send a written request to:
Include in the letter:
- Full names of both individuals who were married
- Date of marriage (or approximate range)
- Money order for the appropriate amount
- Copy of the applicant's ID
- Self-addressed stamped envelope
Online
Marriage records from 1906 onwards can be ordered through the Pennsylvania Department of Health's Vital Records portal. The state uses a third-party service for online orders, which involves an additional processing fee. Note: online orders through the state and requests directly to the Register of Wills are different procedures with different timelines and fees.
For researchers seeking older marriage records in Philadelphia County (prior to the early 20th century), it is advisable to contact the City Archives at (215) 685-9401 or via email at archives.info@phila.gov.