Lower Merion Marriage Records
Lower Merion Township marriage records are handled by the Montgomery County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court in Norristown. Lower Merion is one of the largest townships in Montgomery County, located just west of Philadelphia along the Main Line. If you need a marriage license or a copy of a past marriage record, the county office in Norristown is where you go. This page explains how Lower Merion residents can search for, apply for, and get copies of marriage records through Montgomery County.
Lower Merion Quick Facts
Montgomery County Marriage License Office
Lower Merion does not have its own office for issuing marriage licenses. All marriage records in Montgomery County go through the Register of Wills office in Norristown. The office is about 10 miles north of Lower Merion along the Schuylkill Expressway. Tina Lawson, Esq. serves as the current Register of Wills.
| Office | Montgomery County Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans' Court |
|---|---|
| Address | One Montgomery Plaza, 425 Swede Street, 4th Floor Norristown, PA 19401 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 311, Norristown, PA 19404-0311 |
| Phone | (610) 278-3400 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM |
| MLSupport@montgomerycountypa.gov |
Walk-ins are accepted, and the office also handles virtual appointments via Webex video conference. If you choose the virtual option, both applicants can log in from different locations. This is helpful for Lower Merion couples who want to avoid the drive to Norristown.
No appointments or walk-ins are accepted after 3:30 PM. Plan to arrive well before that cutoff if you need same-day service for marriage records.
Note: Apply at least two weeks before your planned ceremony to allow time for the three-day waiting period and any processing delays.
Searching Marriage Records Online
Montgomery County offers an online search system for marriage records. You can look up marriage licenses from the 1990s to the present through the county's online portal. The system supports partial name searches, so entering "Smith" would return results for Smith, Smithson, and Smithers. Date range searches are also available.
Visit the Montgomery County Register of Wills website at montgomerycountypa.gov/row to start a search. The online portal lets you view basic record information at no cost. For certified copies of a Lower Merion marriage record, you will need to submit a Marriage Record Request Form or visit the office in person.
Here is a screenshot of the Montgomery County Register of Wills page where Lower Merion residents can access marriage license services.
Records from before the 1990s are not all available online. For older marriage records, contact the office directly or visit the Montgomery County Archives Department at 2010 Old Arch Road in Norristown. The archives phone number is (610) 278-3441.
How to Get a Marriage License
Lower Merion residents apply for a marriage license through Montgomery County. You can complete the application online at the county's portal before your in-person or virtual appointment. Both applicants must appear together, either at the Norristown office or on a Webex call.
Pennsylvania law under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1301 requires a license for every marriage in the state. There are no exceptions to this rule. The application asks for personal details, identification, and information about any prior marriages.
Once you complete the application and appear before the clerk, a three-day waiting period begins. Your license is not valid until three days after your Webex conference or in-person appointment. This waiting period is set by 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1303. After the waiting period, the license is good for 60 days and can be used anywhere in Pennsylvania.
If either applicant cannot speak English, an independent translator must join the video conference with a valid photo ID. The translator cannot be a family member of either applicant.
Lower Merion Marriage Record Fees
The total cost for a marriage license in Montgomery County is $85. This amount covers several separate charges that the county collects.
The fee breaks down as follows. The Montgomery County fee is $39.50. The Pennsylvania writ tax adds $0.50. The Act 151 domestic violence surcharge is $10. The Act 222 children's fund surcharge is $10. One certified copy of the marriage record costs $25. These add up to $85 total.
Additional certified copies of a Lower Merion marriage record cost $25 each. You can order them at the time of your application or later by contacting the office. The Montgomery County marriage license search portal also allows you to look up records for free before ordering copies.
Here is a view of the Montgomery County online marriage license system where Lower Merion residents can start their applications.
The office also maintains original marriage licenses and probate estates that are open to the public for viewing. Microfilm copies of older records are available at various county departments.
Note: Payment shows as pending in the online system until the office accepts your application, so do not assume your license has been approved based on payment alone.
Historical Records for Lower Merion
Montgomery County has kept continuous marriage records since 1885. Before that year, marriage records were kept by churches and individual clergy. The county also has birth and death records from 1893 to 1915. Birth records after 1915 are held by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
For genealogy research in Lower Merion, several collections cover earlier periods. FamilySearch has Pennsylvania county marriages from 1885 to 1950, Pennsylvania church marriages from 1682 to 1976, and civil marriages from 1677 to 1950. These databases are free to search with a FamilySearch account.
The USGenWeb project has a Montgomery County marriage license search that covers records from the early 1990s forward. Newspaper marriage notices have also been indexed and are useful for finding records that predate the civil system. Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1309, all completed marriage licenses must be returned and filed with the issuing clerk, which is why the county has such thorough records from 1885 onward.
The Montgomery County Archives at 2010 Old Arch Road in Norristown holds records that go back to the late 1700s. Probate records start from 1784. The archives are a good place to research family history for anyone with roots in Lower Merion or the broader Montgomery County area.
Montgomery County Court Records
Marriage records are part of the broader court record system in Montgomery County. The Register of Wills office also handles estate matters, guardianships, and adoptions. Below is a view of the Montgomery County court records system.
Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1307, the clerk issues the marriage license once the application is approved and the waiting period has passed. Once the ceremony takes place, the signed license is returned to the clerk and becomes a permanent part of the county record. Lower Merion residents can request copies of these records at any time after they are filed.
Montgomery County Marriage Records
Lower Merion is part of Montgomery County, and all marriage records are maintained at the county level. For the complete Montgomery County page with full fee details, online search tools, and historical coverage, visit the county page below.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Residents of nearby areas file for marriage licenses at their own county office. Select a city below for more details.