Bethlehem Marriage Records Search

Bethlehem marriage records are managed at the county level through the Northampton County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court in Easton. Bethlehem sits in the Lehigh Valley and spans parts of both Northampton and Lehigh counties, though Northampton County is the primary jurisdiction. If you want to find a marriage license or certificate for someone who was married in Bethlehem, you will need to search through the county office. This page covers how Bethlehem residents can look up, apply for, and obtain copies of marriage records in Pennsylvania.

Where Bethlehem Residents Get Marriage Records

Bethlehem does not have its own office for marriage records. All marriage licenses in Northampton County are handled by the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court at the county courthouse in Easton. This is where Bethlehem residents go to apply for a new license or to get copies of past marriage records. The office is about 15 miles east of Bethlehem along Route 22.

The portion of Bethlehem that falls in Lehigh County uses the Lehigh County Clerk of Orphans' Court for marriage license matters. Most of Bethlehem lies within Northampton County, so the Easton office serves the majority of residents looking up marriage records.

Both people who plan to marry must go to the office in person to fill out the application and be sworn in. Only couples who plan to marry in Pennsylvania may apply here. Bring a valid photo ID and know your Social Security number. The office also handles adoptions, guardianships, and estate matters.

Note: Bethlehem residents in the Lehigh County portion of the city should contact the Lehigh County Clerk of Orphans' Court at (610) 782-3148 for marriage license services.

Searching for Marriage Records

Northampton County has maintained marriage records since October 1885. These records are open to the public and can be searched by name or date. If you need to look up a marriage record for someone who lived in Bethlehem, you can visit the county office in Easton or request a search by mail.

The county charges a fee for record searches. Paper copies cost $0.25 per page for standard black and white pages. Certified copies are $5.00 per document plus copy fees. You can also request records by email at no charge for electronic copies, though certified versions require a formal request.

The Bethlehem area has deep roots in the Moravian church. Church records from the Bethlehem Moravian congregation date back to 1741, well before civil marriage records began. These early records can be found through the Pennsylvania State Archives and are a valuable resource for genealogy research in the Bethlehem area.

For Bethlehem marriage records from 1885 to the mid-1900s, FamilySearch has digitized many Northampton County marriage license dockets. You can search these at no cost with a free account. The Ancestry collection also has Northampton County church records from 1774 to 1840, which includes Salem Lutheran and Reformed congregations.

The Bethlehem city website at bethlehem-pa.gov provides general city information, but marriage records are not available through the city. You must go through the county for all marriage license requests.

Bethlehem Marriage License Process

Pennsylvania law requires a marriage license before any ceremony can take place. Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1301, no marriage in the state is valid without a license. Bethlehem couples apply for their license at the Northampton County office in Easton.

Here is what you need to bring:

• Valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport
• Your Social Security number
• If you were married before, a certified copy of your divorce decree or death certificate of your former spouse
• Payment for the license fee

Both people must show up in person. You cannot send one person alone. The clerk will ask questions and have both applicants sworn in. This is part of the oral examination required under Pennsylvania law.

A screenshot of the Northampton County Orphans' Court page shows the office that handles all marriage license applications for Bethlehem residents.

After filing your application, there is a three-day waiting period before the license becomes valid. This waiting period is set by 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1303. The license is then good for 60 days and can be used in any of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania.

Note: Hearings in Northampton County Orphans' Court are held most Tuesdays, so plan your visit around the court schedule if you need to handle any special petitions.

Historical Marriage Records in Bethlehem

Bethlehem has a long history that goes back to 1741, when Moravian settlers founded the town. Marriage records in Bethlehem predate the state system by more than a century thanks to detailed church records kept by the Moravian congregation. These early records include names, dates, and often the places of origin for both the bride and groom.

Civil marriage records at the county level started in October 1885. Before that date, church records and family bibles are the main sources. The Northampton County courthouse has maintained continuous records since 1885, and these are available for public review.

For the period between 1772 and 1836, Ancestry has a collection of Northampton County marriage licenses issued by Isaac Hicks. There is also a brief period from 1852 to 1854 when Pennsylvania required statewide marriage registration, though coverage during those years is incomplete.

Here is a view of the Northampton County official website, which provides links to all county departments that serve Bethlehem residents.

Researchers looking for old Bethlehem marriage records should also check the Hecktown Baptisms and Marriages collection, which covers 1758 to 1806, and the First Presbyterian Church records in Easton. These church records fill gaps in the civil record and are especially useful for the 18th and early 19th centuries.

Marriage Record Fees for Bethlehem

Fees for marriage records in Northampton County are set by the county. Contact the Register of Wills at (610) 829-6488 for current rates. The general fee structure includes standard copy and certification charges.

Once the clerk issues your license, it must be returned after the ceremony. Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1309, the officiant must file the completed license with the clerk who issued it. This ensures the marriage record is properly stored in the Northampton County system, where Bethlehem residents and others can access it later.

If you need a certified copy of a Bethlehem marriage record for legal purposes, you can request one in person or by mail. Certified copies carry the county seal and are accepted by courts, banks, and government agencies. Plain copies are also available at a lower cost for personal use.

The city of Bethlehem itself does not charge any fee related to marriage records since the city has no role in this process. All fees go to the county.

Bethlehem City Resources

While the city of Bethlehem does not handle marriage records directly, the city website offers useful links and community information. Below is a screenshot of the official Bethlehem city website.

Bethlehem is known for its rich history and holiday traditions. The city straddles the border of Northampton and Lehigh counties, which can cause some confusion about where to go for records. Most Bethlehem addresses fall in Northampton County, but if your address is in the Lehigh County portion, your marriage license would be issued from that county instead.

Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1307, the clerk issues the license once the application is complete, both parties have appeared, and the waiting period has passed. This applies the same way whether you go to the Northampton or Lehigh county office.

Note: A marriage license issued in either Northampton or Lehigh County is valid for use anywhere in Pennsylvania for 60 days from the date of issue.

Northampton County Marriage Records

Bethlehem is part of Northampton County, and all marriage records are filed at the county level. For complete details on the Northampton County Register of Wills, fee schedules, historical records, and online search options, visit the full county page.

View Northampton County Marriage Records

Nearby Pennsylvania Cities

Residents of nearby cities file for marriage licenses at their own county courthouse. Pick a city below to learn about marriage records in that area.

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