Butler County Marriage License Records

Butler County marriage records are held at the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court in the Butler County Government Center. The office handles new marriage license applications and stores all past records. You can search for marriage records by visiting the office in Butler, calling the staff, or using the online e-filing system. Butler County is named after General Richard Butler, a hero of the American Revolution. The county seat is Butler, and the office serves all residents from one location at 124 West Diamond Street.

Butler County Register of Wills

The Butler County Register of Wills issues marriage licenses and maintains all marriage records for the county. The office is on Level L of the Butler County Government Center at 124 West Diamond Street in Butler. Staff are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The phone number is 724-284-5354.

Butler County now accepts credit and debit cards for most fees. This is a recent change that makes it easier to pay for copies and services. Cash is still accepted for all items. Virtual probate hearings are also now offered, showing how the office has adapted to serve Butler County residents better.

Search Butler County Marriage Records

There are three main ways to find marriage records in Butler County. Each one works best for different situations. Choose the method that fits your needs and location.

For an in-person search, go to the Government Center at 124 West Diamond Street in Butler. Staff can look up records by name and pull files for you to review. Certified copies of marriage licenses cost $5.00 each. If paying cash, there is no extra charge. Credit card payments add a $3.00 processing fee. Butler County marriage records are public under Section 1309 of Title 23, so anyone can request them.

Mail requests are a good option if you live far from Butler County. Send your request to Butler County Clerk of Orphans' Court, P.O. Box 1208, Butler, PA 16003. Include the names of both spouses and the year of the marriage. A credit card is needed for payment by mail. The total cost is $13.00, which covers the $5.00 copy fee, $5.00 for research and mailing, and $3.00 for card processing.

Butler County also offers e-filing through the County Fusion website. You can file a marriage license application online by logging in as a guest and selecting "E-File Marriage License." The UJS Portal provides access to court docket sheets for Butler County as well.

Note: Certified marriage license fees are waived for active military members and veterans in Butler County.

Butler County Marriage License Process

Under Pennsylvania law, a marriage license is required before any ceremony. Butler County issues two types: traditional licenses and self-uniting licenses. A traditional license requires an officiant to perform the ceremony. A self-uniting license needs no officiant but must be signed by two witnesses.

To apply in Butler County, both people must appear together at the Register of Wills office. Bring $60.00 for the license fee, a valid photo ID, and your Social Security number. Accepted IDs include a driver's license, state photo ID, military ID, certified birth certificate, or passport. If either person was married before, bring a certified divorce decree or death certificate.

The three-day waiting period does not start until both applicants complete the process at the Butler County office. After the wait, your license is good for 60 days and can be used anywhere in Pennsylvania. You also need to know the full names, birthplaces, and occupations of both parents when you apply in Butler County.

• Valid photo ID for both applicants
• Social Security numbers
• $60.00 license fee
• Proof of prior marriage dissolution if needed
• Parents' full names and birthplaces

Historical Marriage Records in Butler County

Butler County marriage records go back to 1885. The county itself was formed in 1800, but mandatory marriage licenses did not begin until 1885 under Pennsylvania law. Some historical marriage records from as far back as 1801 exist through other sources. The original Butler County courthouse was built in 1855 but burned in December 1883. Records before that fire may not survive.

Before 1783, the land that is now Butler County was part of Northumberland County. In 1783, Allegheny County was created from Northumberland, and Butler County later split from Allegheny. The Register of Wills has birth and death records from 1893 to 1906 as well, which can help with family research. Naturalization records date back to 1804, and probate records from the Orphan Court start in 1804.

The Pennsylvania State Archives holds some Butler County records on microfilm. The Ancestry.com 1852-1854 marriage collection may include Butler County entries. FamilySearch has county marriage records from 1885 to 1950 as well.

Note: Due to the 1883 courthouse fire in Butler County, some records before that date were lost and may only be available through church records or newspaper archives.

Butler County Marriage Record Details

A marriage record from Butler County holds key facts about the union. The license application lists each person's name, age, date of birth, residence, and Social Security number. Parents' full names, birthplaces, and occupations are included. Prior marriage history is noted as well. The returned certificate shows the date, place, and name of the person who performed the ceremony.

Certified copies from Butler County come with a raised seal. They are accepted as legal proof of marriage for name changes, insurance claims, and other official uses. The Prothonotary's office at the Government Center handles related civil court records. That office is at 124 West Diamond Street in Butler and can be reached at 724-284-5214. The Prothonotary charges $8.00 per certified copy and $0.25 per page for plain copies of civil records.

Nearby Counties

Butler County sits in west-central Pennsylvania. Marriage records are filed in the county where the couple applied for their license. Check your license to see which county office holds your record.

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