Reading PA Marriage Records
Reading marriage records are managed by Berks County. The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court at the Berks County Services Center in downtown Reading keeps all marriage records for the county. Residents of Reading can search for existing records, order certified copies, or apply for a new marriage license at this office. Marriage records on file go back to 1885 and are open to the public. Use the search tool below to begin your lookup.
Reading Quick Facts
Berks County Marriage Records Office
Reading is the county seat of Berks County. The Register of Wills office sits on the second floor of the Berks County Services Center on Court Street. This is the only office in the county where you can apply for a marriage license or get copies of existing marriage records. The city of Reading does not issue or store marriage records on its own.
The office is open from 8:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the afternoon on weekdays. You can call ahead with questions or email the office at rwills@countyofberks.com. Written requests for copies can be sent by mail, and the office aims to fill requests within 10 business days under Pennsylvania court rules.
| Office | Berks County Register of Wills |
|---|---|
| Address | 633 Court Street, 2nd Floor Reading, PA 19601 |
| Phone | (610) 478-6617 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| rwills@countyofberks.com |
The Berks County Prothonotary is also in the same building on the second floor. That office handles divorce records. For marriage records only, go to the Register of Wills.
Note: Pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 509, the office must fulfill record requests within a reasonable time, typically within 10 business days.
Searching Reading Marriage Records Online
Berks County offers online services for marriage records through its Register of Wills portal. You can view marriage records information from 1885 to the present by registering for the online system. Records from 2009 forward are in one database, and records up to 2008 are in another. Both are free to search once you create an account.
The Berks County marriage records portal shows entries for all marriages filed at the Register of Wills office in Reading. Searching this database is a quick way to check if a record exists before ordering a copy.
For Reading residents who prefer to visit in person, the office welcomes walk-in requests during regular business hours. Staff can search for records by name, case number, or filing date. Bring as much detail as you can to speed up the process.
How to Get Marriage Record Copies
Reading residents can request copies of marriage records in person, by mail, or through the county's online services. In person, visit the Register of Wills on the second floor of the Berks County Services Center. The staff will search for the record and prepare your copy while you wait, if time allows.
Written requests can be mailed to the Register of Wills at 633 Court Street, 2nd Floor, Reading, PA 19601. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of marriage, and whether you need a plain copy or a certified copy. Payment must be included with the request.
Certified copies are needed for most legal purposes. Plain copies work for personal reference. Contact the office at (610) 478-6617 to confirm current fees before you send payment. The office can also tell you what forms of payment are accepted by mail.
Berks County court records, including marriage filings, are available through the county records portal. This resource can help Reading residents verify record details before placing a formal request.
Marriage records in Reading are public records. Any person can request a copy of any marriage record on file. You do not need to be named on the record or related to the people involved.
Marriage License Process in Reading
Couples who want to get married apply for a license at the Berks County Register of Wills office in Reading. The county offers an online application system that lets you fill out and submit your marriage application before your appointment.
To use the online application, log in as a guest and select the e-File Marriage Application option. Fill in the details for each person and click submit. Print the confirmation page and note the transaction number. Both people must then appear at the office together with their printed confirmation and required documents.
Under Pennsylvania law (23 Pa.C.S. Section 1303), there is a mandatory three-day waiting period after the application. The license then stays valid for 60 days. The marriage can take place anywhere in the state during that window.
The fee for a marriage license in Berks County is $55 to $65, depending on the current fee schedule. Both parties must be at least 18 years old. Each person must bring a government-issued photo ID and their Social Security number. If either person was previously married, a certified divorce decree or death certificate is required.
Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1307, the clerk verifies all information before issuing the license. The officiant must return the completed license to the Register of Wills within seven days of the ceremony.
Note: You must have your wedding officiant chosen before your appointment at the Register of Wills office in Reading.
Historical Marriage Records
Berks County holds marriage records from 1885 to the present. Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1301, all marriages in Pennsylvania require a license. The county began keeping these records when the statewide mandate took effect in 1885.
The online system splits these records into two groups. Records from 2009 to the present are in one database. Records from 1885 to 2008 are in a separate database. Both are searchable through the Register of Wills online services portal after you register for an account.
For genealogy research, the older records often contain details not found in modern entries. Early marriage applications in Reading and Berks County may list each person's occupation, place of birth, parents' names and birthplaces, and the name of the officiant who performed the ceremony.
The Berks County marriage requirements resource outlines what couples need to apply for a license. This same office maintains the historical records that researchers use for family history work.
Pennsylvania made an early attempt to record vital events at the county level from 1852 to 1855, but the effort was largely unsuccessful. Consistent county marriage records in Reading did not begin until 1885. Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1309, all applications and consent certificates filed with the clerk are kept as permanent records.
Berks County Marriage Records
All marriage records for Reading are managed by Berks County. The county office at the Services Center on Court Street serves every municipality in the county. For a full guide to the county record system, search tools, and related resources, visit the Berks County page.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Marriage records in Pennsylvania are handled at the county level. Each city below has its own county office. Select one to learn more about the process there.