Bensalem Township Marriage Records
Bensalem Township marriage records are managed by the Bucks County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court. Bensalem is the most populated township in Bucks County, sitting along the Delaware River just northeast of Philadelphia. Marriage licenses and certificates for Bensalem residents are all handled at the county level. This page covers how to apply for a marriage license, search for past records, and get certified copies through the Bucks County office system.
Bensalem Quick Facts
Bucks County Marriage License Offices
Bensalem residents have two options for visiting a Bucks County office to handle marriage records. The main office is in Doylestown, and there is a satellite office much closer to Bensalem in Levittown. The Lower Bucks County Government Service Center in Levittown is the more convenient choice for most Bensalem residents since it is only a short drive north on Route 1.
| Main Office | Bucks County Administration Building 55 E. Court Street, Doylestown, PA 18901 |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | (215) 348-6265 |
| Main Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Lower Bucks Office | Lower Bucks County Government Service Center 7321 New Falls Road, Levittown, PA 19055 |
| Lower Bucks Phone | (267) 580-3585 |
| Lower Bucks Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM |
Both offices offer virtual and in-person appointments. Call (215) 348-6254 or (215) 348-6264 to schedule an appointment at either location. The Levittown office closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 PM, so keep that in mind when planning your visit for marriage records.
Note: The Lower Bucks Government Service Center in Levittown provides the same marriage license services as the main Doylestown office, making it the best option for Bensalem residents.
How to Apply for a Marriage License
Bensalem couples can start the marriage license process online. The Bucks County Register of Wills has an online portal where you complete the application before your appointment. Go to the portal, click "Login as Guest," then select "e-file Marriage Application." After you submit the form online, both applicants must appear together in a virtual meeting to show identification and sign the license.
You will need a valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. If you were married before, bring a certified copy of your divorce decree or a death certificate for your former spouse. The county will verify all information before the license is issued.
Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1301, a marriage license is required for all marriages in Pennsylvania. There are no shortcuts around this requirement for Bensalem residents or anyone else in the state. After you apply, a three-day waiting period begins per 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1303.
Here is a screenshot of the Bucks County Register of Wills page, which serves all Bensalem marriage license needs.
The license is valid for 60 days once issued and can be used anywhere in Pennsylvania. Bucks County also issues self-uniting marriage licenses as provided by 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1307, which allow couples to marry without an officiant.
Marriage Record Fees in Bensalem
The total cost for a marriage license in Bucks County is $85. This package includes the $50 application fee, a $10 ACP fee, and one certified Certificate of Marriage for $25. The same fees apply whether you visit the Doylestown office or the Levittown satellite location.
Other fees for Bensalem marriage records include:
- Additional certified Certificate of Marriage: $25
- Affidavit of Name Verification: $25
- Duplicate or reissue marriage license: $25
- Verification letter: $25
- Outside office appearance: $175
- Emergency waiver of three-day waiting period: $95
- Active military waiver: No charge
Contact the Register of Wills at (215) 348-6265 or the county toll-free number at (888) 942-8257 to confirm current fees. You can also email registerofwills@buckscounty.gov with questions about Bensalem marriage record fees.
Finding Past Marriage Records
Bucks County has some of the oldest records in Pennsylvania. The Register of Wills office dates its records back to 1684. The complete set of microfilm records is available at the Archive Research Center. Original documents from 1684 to 1936 are on-site, and files from the past five years are also kept at the office. All other records are stored off-site but can be retrieved with advance notice.
A genealogical search by name from 1684 to 1950 costs $25 per name. This fee is not refundable even if no record is found. Certified marriage application records from 1885 to the present cost $25 per record. Uncertified copies of marriage applications are $1 per record.
Below is a screenshot of the Bucks County marriage license application page with details on the process for Bensalem residents.
The Bucks County Genealogical Search page has full details on how to request a record search. The online records system also provides a web viewer for searching more recent marriage records from the Register of Wills office.
Note: The $25 genealogical search fee is per name and per search, so if you are looking for records under multiple names, each search is billed separately.
After the Ceremony in Bensalem
Once a Bensalem couple has their ceremony, the officiant and witnesses sign the marriage license. Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1309, the completed license must be filed back with the clerk who issued it. For Bensalem residents, this means returning it to the Bucks County Register of Wills.
After the license is filed, it becomes a permanent public record. Anyone can request a copy of a Bensalem marriage record by contacting the county office. Certified copies cost $25 and carry the county seal. Plain copies are $0.25 per page if you make them yourself or $1 per page if staff makes the copies.
The Bucks County fee schedule page shows the full breakdown of all costs related to marriage licenses and records.
You can also search Bucks County records through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal for court-related marriage matters. For most marriage license and certificate requests, the Register of Wills office is the correct place to go.
Bucks County Genealogical Records
For family history research involving Bensalem, the Bucks County archives hold records going back more than 300 years. The genealogical search service covers marriage records, estate records, and other documents from the colonial era forward. Below is a view of the county's genealogical search information page.
The Pennsylvania State Archives also has vital statistics records that include marriage data from Bucks County. These state-level resources complement the county records and are useful for researchers looking at broader family connections across Pennsylvania.
Bucks County Marriage Records
Bensalem is part of Bucks County, and all marriage records are filed at the county level. For the full Bucks County page with complete details on all offices, online search tools, and historical record coverage, visit the county page below.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Residents of nearby areas use their own county office for marriage records. Choose a city below to learn more.