Upper Darby Marriage Records
Upper Darby marriage records are managed by Delaware County. The Register of Wills at the Delaware County Government Center in Media keeps all marriage records for the county. Upper Darby Township residents can search for marriage records online through a free portal, order copies by mail or online, and view records from 1885 to the present. Delaware County also offers one of the few fully online ordering systems in the state. Start your search below.
Upper Darby Quick Facts
Delaware County Marriage Records Office
Upper Darby is a township in Delaware County. The township does not keep its own marriage records. All marriage records for Upper Darby residents are filed at the Delaware County Register of Wills in Media. The office is on the first floor of the Government Center on West Front Street, about a 15-minute drive from most parts of Upper Darby.
Delaware County handles marriage record copies through its online ordering system. Walk-in service for copies is not available. If you need to verify that a record exists before ordering, you can use the free online search tool. The office staff can also answer questions by phone.
| Office | Delaware County Register of Wills |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 West Front Street, 1st Floor Media, PA 19063 |
| Phone | (610) 891-4400 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
The Upper Darby Township website provides general information for residents but does not handle marriage records. For all marriage record matters, contact Delaware County directly.
Note: Orders placed in error for records not issued by Delaware County are not refundable. Confirm that the marriage license was issued in Delaware County before placing an order.
Searching Marriage Records Online
Delaware County offers a free online search portal for marriage records. You can check if a record exists without paying anything. To use it, go to the Delaware County marriage records page and click "Login as Guest." Then select "Search Public Records" and choose "Marriage Names" from the options.
The search shows the full names of both parties, the date of the marriage, and the license number. This information helps you decide whether to order a copy. The guest login does not require a username or password, so anyone can use it.
The Upper Darby Township website links residents to county services for vital records. The township itself does not maintain any marriage records.
Delaware County also has a video walkthrough that shows how to use the online search system step by step. This can be helpful for anyone unfamiliar with the process.
How to Order Marriage Record Copies
Delaware County processes all marriage record copy orders online. There are three types of copies you can order. A plain copy is sent as a PDF by email and costs $2. A certified copy is sent by US mail and costs $25. An exemplified copy, which carries additional seals for international use, costs $30 and is also sent by mail.
Plain copies arrive in about 7 business days. Certified and exemplified copies take about 14 business days because they are mailed. If you need a record urgently, contact the office by phone to ask about faster options.
- Plain copy (PDF by email): $2
- Certified copy (US mail): $25
- Exemplified copy (US mail): $30
- Processing time: 7 to 14 business days
The Social Security Administration typically requires a certified marriage record for name changes. Other uses for certified copies include pension claims, mortgage applications, adoptions, and passport applications. Most Upper Darby residents will need the $25 certified copy for common legal purposes.
Note: Walk-in service is not available for ordering copies. All orders must go through the online system.
Marriage License Process
Upper Darby residents who want to get married apply for a license at the Delaware County Register of Wills in Media. Both people must appear at the office together. Each person needs a valid photo ID and Social Security documentation. The three-day waiting period required by Pennsylvania law (23 Pa.C.S. Section 1303) begins on the day you apply.
Once the waiting period ends, the license becomes valid for 60 days and can be used anywhere in the state. After the wedding ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Register of Wills. The signed license then becomes a permanent marriage record in Delaware County.
Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1301, all marriages in Pennsylvania must have a valid license. The clerk at the Delaware County office verifies all requirements before issuing one. If either party was previously married, a certified divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse must be presented at the time of application. Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1307, the clerk must confirm all legal conditions are met.
Contact the Register of Wills at (610) 891-4400 for current license fees and to schedule your visit.
Historical Marriage Records
Delaware County holds marriage records from 1885 to the present. These records cover all municipalities in the county, including Upper Darby. The county also has some marriage records from the period of 1852 to 1854, when Pennsylvania briefly attempted to record vital events at the county level.
Records from before 1950 are housed at the Delaware County Archives rather than in the online system. If you are looking for an older marriage record from Upper Darby, you may need to contact the archives directly. The online portal covers records from 1950 to the present.
Marriage applications in Delaware County include detailed information about both parties. Older records list each person's full name, age, residence, occupation, and place of birth. The parents' names, occupations, and birthplaces are also included. These records are open to the public and available for viewing.
Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1309, all filed applications and consent certificates become permanent records. The Delaware County Register of Wills maintains these as part of the public record. Family history researchers often use these records to trace lines of descent through several generations.
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds microfilm copies of some Delaware County marriage records. FamilySearch has also digitized portions of the county's records from 1885 to 1950 for free online access.
Note: Pre-1950 records are at the Delaware County Archives and are not available through the online portal.
Delaware County Marriage Records
All marriage records for Upper Darby are managed by Delaware County. The Register of Wills office in Media serves every municipality in the county. For the full county guide with record details, fees, and research tools, visit the Delaware County page.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Each Pennsylvania city accesses marriage records through its county. Select a city below to learn about its county record office.