Bedford County Marriage Records Search
Bedford County marriage records are held by the Prothonotary's Office at the Bedford County Courthouse. The office is on the first floor at 200 South Juliana Street in Bedford. Staff handle marriage license applications and keep copies of all past records. Bedford County is a rural county in south-central Pennsylvania with about 48,000 residents. Marriage records here date back to the 1850s. Whether you need a certified copy for a legal matter or want to trace your family line, the Prothonotary is the place to start in Bedford County.
Bedford County Quick Facts
Bedford County Prothonotary Office
The Prothonotary handles marriage licenses and marriage records in Bedford County. The office is in Suite 105 on the first floor of the Bedford County Courthouse at 200 South Juliana Street. The phone number is (814) 623-4833. The fax number is (814) 623-4831. You can also reach the office by email at pcoc@bedfordcountypa.org. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. This office also handles divorce records, which go back to 1804 in Bedford County.
To apply for a marriage license in Bedford County, both people must appear at the office in person. Bring valid photo identification. You will need to provide the full names of both parties, the planned wedding date, and the location where the ceremony will take place. Under Pennsylvania law, a marriage license is required before any ceremony can be performed. Contact the Prothonotary to confirm the current fee schedule before your visit.
The Bedford County Register of Wills website provides details about county departments and services.
This page shows the Bedford County departments responsible for vital records, including the Prothonotary who handles marriage licenses.
| Office |
Bedford County Prothonotary 200 South Juliana Street, Suite 105 Bedford, PA 15522 Phone: (814) 623-4833 Email: pcoc@bedfordcountypa.org |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | bedfordcountypa.org |
How to Search Bedford County Marriage Records
You can search for marriage records in Bedford County by visiting the Prothonotary's office or by sending a request. For an in-person visit, go to Suite 105 at the courthouse in Bedford. Tell the staff the couple's names, the wedding date, and where the marriage took place. They will search the records and let you know what they find. If you prefer to mail a request, send a letter to the Prothonotary at 200 South Juliana Street, Suite 105, Bedford, PA 15522. Include the same details plus a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment for the fees.
The UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us lets you search court records across all Pennsylvania counties. You can look up cases by name or case number for free. For actual certified copies, you still need to contact the Bedford County Prothonotary. Marriage records in Bedford County are not confidential. Under Section 1309 of Title 23, they are open to any interested person. Some details about minors may be redacted from public copies.
Note: Only an attorney of record or a guardian may access sealed adoption or guardianship files at the Bedford County courthouse.
Bedford County Marriage License Rules
Pennsylvania sets a three-day waiting period between the application and when the license is ready. This rule applies in Bedford County. The count starts on the day you apply. After three days, you can pick up the license. Once issued, the marriage license is good for 60 days. If no ceremony happens in that time, the license expires and you must apply again.
There is no residency rule for a Pennsylvania marriage license. You do not need to live in Bedford County to apply here. The license is valid for use anywhere in the state. After the ceremony, the person who performed it must complete the license and return it to the Prothonotary within 10 days. That filing creates the official marriage record in Bedford County.
Bedford County Historical Marriage Records
Bedford County has one of the longest records histories in Pennsylvania. The county was formed on March 9, 1771 and is named after Fort Bedford. Probate and court records go back to 1771. Marriage records cover two periods. The first runs from 1852 to 1854, when the state tried its first program of county-level vital records. The second runs from 1885 to the present, when the state required all counties to keep marriage records for good. There are no known gaps or courthouse disasters affecting Bedford County records.
FamilySearch has free digital images of Bedford County marriage records from the 1885 to 1950 period under "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950." They also have the Pennsylvania Civil Marriages collection covering 1677 to 1950, which may include some Bedford County records. The Prothonotary also holds birth and death records from 1852 to 1854 and 1893 to 1906. Divorce records go all the way back to 1804.
The Bedford County official website has more about county government and departments.
The county website links to departments that handle marriage licenses and other vital records in Bedford County.
Family Tree Magazine also lists Bedford County in their Pennsylvania county records directory.
This directory provides an overview of the types of records available in Bedford County and where to find them.
Legal Help in Bedford County
For legal help with marriage records or family law matters in Bedford County, several resources are available. Pennsylvania Legal Aid at palegalaid.net offers free legal help to low-income residents. The Pennsylvania Bar Association referral line at (800) 692-7375 can connect you with a family law attorney who works in the Bedford County area.
The Pennsylvania State Archives at phmc.pa.gov holds microfilm of many older Pennsylvania marriage records, including some from Bedford County. You can visit their facility in Harrisburg to research records in person. Some materials may be available through interlibrary loan. The CDC also maintains a guide on where to write for vital records in each state, which can help if you are unsure which office to contact.
Note: Bedford County divorce records go back to 1804, making them among the oldest in the state for researchers who need both marriage and divorce information.
Nearby Counties
Bedford County is in south-central Pennsylvania. It borders several other counties. Make sure you check which county issued the license before you search. Marriage records stay with the county that granted them.