Erie Marriage Record Lookup
Erie marriage records are kept by Erie County. The Clerk of Records at the Erie County Courthouse holds all marriage licenses and related records for the county. City of Erie residents can search for marriage records in person at the courthouse or contact the office by phone. Records go back to 1885, and the office also handles new marriage license applications. Search below to find Erie marriage records quickly.
Erie Quick Facts
Erie County Marriage Records Office
Erie is the county seat of Erie County. The Erie County Clerk of Records serves as the central office for all marriage records in the county. This office combines the duties of several roles including the Clerk of Courts, Prothonotary, Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, and Clerk of Orphans' Court. That means one office handles nearly all public records in Erie County.
The courthouse is on West Sixth Street in downtown Erie. The building is easy to reach from most parts of the city. You can walk in during office hours to search records, pick up forms, or submit a request. Staff can help you find what you need.
| Office | Erie County Clerk of Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 140 West Sixth Street Erie, PA 16501 |
| Phone | (814) 451-6258 |
| Marriage Bureau | (814) 451-6347 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
The Marriage Licenses Bureau within the Clerk of Records office handles all new license applications. Call the Marriage Bureau directly at (814) 451-6347 for questions about applying for a license in Erie.
Searching Erie Marriage Records
Erie County welcomes independent searching of marriage records at no charge during regular office hours. You can visit the Clerk of Records and look through the files yourself. If you want the staff to conduct a search on your behalf, there is a $20 fee. This fee applies whether or not a matching record is found.
Bring as much detail as you can when you visit. The full names of both parties and the year of the marriage will help narrow the search. A license number, if you have one, makes the process even faster.
The Erie city website provides general information for residents. For marriage records, however, the city directs residents to the Erie County Clerk of Records.
Note: The independent search option is free only when you do the searching yourself at the courthouse. Staff-assisted searches cost $20.
Getting Copies of Marriage Records
Certified copies of Erie marriage records cost $5 each. This is one of the lowest copy fees in the state. You can request copies in person at the courthouse or by mail. Bring or include the full names of both people and the date of the marriage.
In person, the Clerk of Records staff can usually prepare your copy the same day. For mail requests, send a letter with the details and payment to the Clerk of Records at 140 West Sixth Street, Erie, PA 16501. Call ahead to confirm what forms of payment are accepted by mail.
Marriage records in Erie are public information. Any person can request a copy of any record on file. You do not need to be named on the marriage license to get a copy.
- Certified copy: $5
- Staff-conducted search: $20
- Independent search: Free
- Marriage license application: $65
The low cost for certified copies in Erie makes it one of the more affordable counties in Pennsylvania for obtaining marriage records. If you are not sure whether the marriage was recorded in Erie County, call the office first to verify before sending payment.
Erie Marriage License Process
Couples who plan to marry in Erie apply for a license at the Erie County Clerk of Records. Both people must appear at the office together. Each person needs a valid photo ID and a Social Security card. The application fee is $65, which includes a certified copy of the license.
Pennsylvania law under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1303 requires a mandatory three-day waiting period between the application and the time the license is valid. Once issued, the license is good for 60 days and can be used anywhere in the state. There is no residency requirement to apply for a license in Erie County.
After the wedding ceremony, the officiant completes the license and returns it to the Clerk of Records. The signed license then becomes a permanent marriage record in Erie County. Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1301, a valid license is required for all marriages in Pennsylvania.
If either person was previously married, a certified divorce decree or death certificate must be presented. The clerk reviews all documents before the license is issued, as required under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1307.
Historical Records in Erie
The Erie County Clerk of Records holds marriage records from 1885 to the present. These records have been kept without interruption since that year. Before 1885, consistent county-level marriage records did not exist in Erie or most of Pennsylvania.
One important fact about Erie County records is that the original courthouse burned in 1823. All records from before that date were lost. This means probate records begin in 1823 and marriage records begin in 1885. There is no earlier material at the courthouse.
The Erie County Historical Society at 356 West Sixth Street holds some records that are not at the courthouse. For example, city of Erie birth records from 1888 to 1905 and death records from 1894 to 1905 are at the Historical Society rather than the Clerk of Records. Marriage records, however, are all at the courthouse.
Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1309, all filed marriage license applications and consent certificates are permanent records. The Erie County Clerk of Records keeps these on file for public access. Researchers working on family history can visit the courthouse during regular hours to view older marriage records at no cost.
Note: Birth and death records after 1906 are held by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Vital Statistics, not by the Erie County Clerk of Records.
Erie County Marriage Records
All marriage records for the city of Erie are managed through Erie County. The Clerk of Records at the courthouse serves all residents countywide. For the full county guide including record types, fees, and research tips, visit the Erie County page.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Other cities in Pennsylvania access marriage records through their county offices. Choose a city to learn how the process works there.