Marriage Records in Scranton
Scranton marriage records are filed through the Lackawanna County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court. As the county seat, Scranton is home to the Lackawanna County Government Center where the Marriage License Bureau operates. Residents of Scranton can apply for a new marriage license, search past records, or get certified copies all at one location. This page walks you through how to access marriage records in Scranton and what to expect at the county office.
Scranton Quick Facts
Scranton Marriage License Office
The Marriage License Bureau is located inside the Lackawanna County Government Center in downtown Scranton. Because Scranton is the county seat, this is the only office you need to visit. The bureau handles all new marriage license applications and keeps records for Lackawanna County going back to October 1885.
| Office | Lackawanna County Marriage License Bureau |
|---|---|
| Address | 123 Wyoming Avenue, Suite 521 Scranton, PA 18503 |
| Phone | (570) 963-6708 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM |
| Extended Hours | Fourth Thursday of each month, 4:00 PM to 6:45 PM (through October 2026) |
| marriagelicense@lackawannacounty.org |
Frances Roland Kovaleski serves as the Register of Wills for Lackawanna County. The office accepts walk-ins during regular hours, but you can also call (570) 963-6702 to set up an appointment. The extended hours on the fourth Thursday are helpful for people who work during the day and cannot visit during normal business hours.
Note: Regular office hours end at 2:00 PM, which is earlier than many county offices in Pennsylvania, so plan your visit to arrive well before closing.
How to Apply for a Marriage License
Scranton residents can start the process by completing an online application before visiting the office. Both people must then appear together at the Marriage License Bureau. You cannot send one person alone or apply entirely online. The in-person visit is required under Pennsylvania law.
Bring these items with you:
- Valid photo ID such as a driver's license or current passport
- Your Social Security number
- A certified copy of your divorce decree if you were married before
- Payment of $70 for a standard license or $100 for a self-uniting license
The bureau accepts cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards. Checks and money orders should be made out to "Marriage License Bureau." After you file the application, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires a three-day waiting period under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1303. Both parties must appear before the clerk at least three days before the planned wedding date.
A screenshot of the Scranton city website shows the city government portal, though marriage records are handled at the county level.
Your marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. You can use it in any of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the clerk within 10 days.
Scranton Marriage Record Fees
Lackawanna County has a detailed fee schedule for all marriage-related services. The standard marriage license costs $70 and includes one certified copy of the marriage certificate. Self-uniting marriage applications cost $100. These fees cover the license, records management, and automation charges.
Other fees that may apply to Scranton marriage records include:
- Correction to an existing license: $50 (includes petition and court order)
- Search fee: $25
- Self-copied records: $0.50 per page
- Copies by clerk: $1.00 per page
- Short certificate: $10
- Waiver of waiting period (emergency): Contact office for current fee
The Lackawanna County official website at lackawannacounty.org has more details on all county services. Fees may change, so it is wise to call the office before your visit to confirm current rates for marriage records in Scranton.
Note: The $70 license fee already includes one certified copy, so you do not need to pay extra for your first certificate of marriage.
Looking Up Marriage Records in Scranton
Lackawanna County has marriage records from October 1885 to the present. These are public records and can be searched at the Register of Wills office. The search fee is $25. If you know the names and approximate date, the clerk can usually find the record quickly.
For historical research, the Lackawanna County Library System has a genealogy section that lists where to find vital records by date. Marriage records from 1885 onward are at the Marriage Bureau in the courthouse. The library also points researchers to FamilySearch, which has digitized Lackawanna County marriage license dockets from 1926 to 1951 and indexes from 1915 to 1958.
The Lackawanna County Marriage License page provides current procedures and requirements for all applicants.
Earlier Scranton birth and death records from 1878 to 1905 are held at the Scranton Public Library. Marriage records from that same era are at the county courthouse. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal can also help locate court records tied to marriage cases in Lackawanna County.
Marriage License Rules in Pennsylvania
All marriage licenses in Scranton follow Pennsylvania state law. Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1301, every marriage in the state requires a license. There are no exceptions. The license must be obtained before the ceremony takes place.
After the three-day waiting period, the clerk issues the license per 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1307. The couple can then have the ceremony performed by any person qualified to solemnize marriages in Pennsylvania. This includes judges, mayors, ministers, and other authorized officials.
Once the ceremony is done, the officiant and witnesses sign the license. The completed license must then be filed back with the issuing clerk per 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1309. This filing creates the official marriage record in the Lackawanna County system. That record is what you search for when you need a copy of a Scranton marriage certificate later.
Lackawanna County also offers self-uniting marriages, which do not require an officiant. Two witnesses sign the license instead. The fee for a self-uniting license in Scranton is $100.
Lackawanna County Court Records
The Lackawanna County court system maintains records for all civil matters, including marriage licenses. Below is a screenshot of the county court records page that serves Scranton residents.
If you cannot find a marriage record through the Register of Wills, you may also try a Right-to-Know Law request. Pennsylvania law provides public access to most government records, and marriage records are public by default. Certified copies cost $5 per document plus standard copy fees at the county level.
Lackawanna County Marriage Records
Scranton is the county seat of Lackawanna County. All marriage records for residents of Scranton and the surrounding area are filed at the county level. For the full county page with additional details on fees, historical records, and online search tools, visit the Lackawanna County page.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Other cities in the region have their own county offices for marriage records. Select a city below to learn more.