Allentown Marriage Records
Allentown marriage records are handled by Lehigh County. The Clerk of Orphans' Court at the Lehigh County Courthouse in downtown Allentown issues marriage licenses and keeps all marriage records for the county. Residents of Allentown can request copies of existing records or apply for a new license at the courthouse on West Hamilton Street. The office holds marriage license records going back to October 1885. Use the search below to find Allentown marriage records.
Allentown Quick Facts
Lehigh County Marriage Records Office
Allentown is the county seat of Lehigh County. The Lehigh County Marriage License Bureau is inside the courthouse on West Hamilton Street. The office is in Room 123.5, on the first floor. This is where all Allentown residents go to apply for a marriage license or to get copies of marriage records on file.
The Marriage License Department operates by appointment only. No walk-in visits are accepted. To schedule an appointment, email the office at marriagelicense@lehighcounty.org. Both parties must appear together for the in-person interview. Appointments are available from 9:00 in the morning to 4:00 in the afternoon on weekdays.
| Office | Lehigh County Clerk of Orphans' Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 455 West Hamilton Street, Room 123.5 Allentown, PA 18101-1614 |
| Phone | (610) 782-3173 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (by appointment) |
| marriagelicense@lehighcounty.org |
The Lehigh County Register of Wills is a separate office in Room 124 of the same courthouse. That office handles wills and estates. Marriage records are at the Clerk of Orphans' Court in Room 123.5.
Getting Copies of Marriage Records
Certified copies of Allentown marriage records cost $10 each. You can order them by email, by mail, or in person at the courthouse. The office provides an Order Form that you fill out and submit with your request. Due to a high number of requests, most copies are mailed within 7 to 10 business days.
If you need a copy right away, visit Room 123 of the Lehigh County Courthouse during business hours. The staff can help with time-sensitive requests in person. Priority mail delivery adds $10.10 to the cost of each certified copy.
To order by email, send the completed Order Form to marriagelicense@lehighcounty.org. You can also mail it to the Marriage License Office at 455 West Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101-1614. Include the full names of both parties and the date of the marriage to help the staff find the right record.
Marriage records in Allentown are public information under Pennsylvania law. Anyone can request a copy. You do not need to be one of the people named on the record.
Note: The Order Form is available on the Lehigh County website or at the courthouse in person.
Allentown Marriage License Process
Couples who plan to get married apply for a license at the Lehigh County Courthouse in Allentown. The process starts by downloading the application packet from the Lehigh County self-help portal. You must submit the completed packet by email at least 20 business days before your wedding date. The office then schedules an in-person interview at the courthouse.
Both people must come to the interview together. Each person needs a government photo ID and Social Security documentation. Accepted forms of ID include a driver's license, state ID card, passport, visa, or green card. For Social Security, bring your card, a W-2, or a Medicare card that shows the full number.
The Allentown city clerk's office can point residents to the correct county office for marriage license questions. The city itself does not issue marriage licenses or keep marriage records.
The total fee for a marriage license in Lehigh County is $100. This includes two certified copies of the license. Payment by credit or debit card is preferred, though cash is also accepted. The fee breaks down into a computer fee, county fee, writ tax, court technology fee, and state surcharges under Act 151 and Act 222.
Under Pennsylvania law (23 Pa.C.S. Section 1303), there is a three-day waiting period from the date of application. The license then stays valid for 60 days and can be used anywhere in the state. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Lehigh County office.
Historical Marriage Records
Lehigh County holds marriage license applications from October 1885 to the present day. These records cover all marriages that took place in the county, including those for Allentown residents. Before 1885, Pennsylvania did not require counties to record marriages in a standard way.
Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1301, a marriage license has been required for all marriages in the state since the 1885 law took effect. The Lehigh County records from that era forward are among the most complete in the Lehigh Valley region.
The Allentown city website provides general information for residents but does not handle marriage records directly. For all marriage record requests, the Lehigh County Clerk of Orphans' Court is the correct office.
Marriage records in Allentown typically include the full names of both people, their ages, addresses, birthplaces, occupations, parents' names, and the name of the officiant. Records also note whether either person was previously married and how that marriage ended. These details make the records valuable for legal and genealogy purposes alike.
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds microfilm copies of some Lehigh County marriage records. FamilySearch has also digitized portions of the county's marriage records from 1885 to 1950.
Note: All documentation for the marriage license application must be submitted at least 20 days before the wedding date. The office does not accept last-minute applications.
Special Requirements for Allentown
Lehigh County has some rules that differ from other counties in Pennsylvania. The most notable is the appointment-only policy. Many other counties accept walk-in applicants, but Lehigh County does not. This means you must plan ahead and contact the office well before your wedding date.
As of July 8, 2020, Pennsylvania no longer allows anyone under the age of 18 to get married. Both parties must be at least 18 years old. This change applies statewide, including in Allentown and all of Lehigh County.
If either person was married before, a certified divorce decree at least 30 days old is required. For widowed applicants, a death certificate for the former spouse must be presented. Any documents in a foreign language need a certified English translation. Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1307, the clerk must review all supporting documents before a license can be issued.
The license fee of $100 is not refundable if the application is denied or if the license expires before the wedding takes place. Make sure all your documents are in order before you apply.
Lehigh County Marriage Records
All marriage records for Allentown are managed through Lehigh County. The county office at the courthouse on West Hamilton Street serves all residents in the county, not just those in the city. For more on county-wide services, fees, and historical records, visit the full Lehigh County page.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Residents of other Pennsylvania cities access marriage records through their county offices. Select a city below to learn about its process.