Cambria County Marriage Records
Cambria County marriage records are stored at the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court in the Cambria County Courthouse in Ebensburg. This office issues new marriage licenses and keeps all records from 1885 to the present. You can search for marriage records in person, by phone, or by mail. The courthouse sits at 200 South Center Street in Ebensburg, which has served as the county seat since Cambria County was formed in 1804. Staff can help you find and copy any marriage record on file.
Cambria County Quick Facts
Cambria County Register of Wills
The Cambria County Register of Wills handles all marriage license work in the county. The office probates wills, grants letters of administration, and issues marriage licenses. It is at 200 South Center Street in Ebensburg. The phone number is 814-472-5477, and the fax is 814-472-2032.
Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Cambria County Register of Wills maintains marriage records from 1885 to the present day. Birth and death records from 1893 to 1905 are also stored here. All court offices at the Cambria County Courthouse keep the same hours, so you can handle multiple record requests in one visit.
| Office |
Cambria County Register of Wills 200 South Center Street Ebensburg, PA 15931 Phone: (814) 472-5477 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | cambriacountypa.gov |
How to Search Cambria County Marriage Records
You can search Cambria County marriage records several ways. The method you choose depends on what you need and where you live. In-person visits work best when you want certified copies right away. Phone and mail requests are good for simple lookups or if you live far from Ebensburg.
To search in person, go to the courthouse at 200 South Center Street. Bring a photo ID and the names of the people on the license. Staff will search by name and pull any matching files. You can view the records and order copies. Certified copies carry the official seal and are accepted for legal purposes in Cambria County and beyond.
Under Section 1309 of Title 23, all marriage license applications in Pennsylvania are public records once filed. You do not need to be a party to the marriage to request a copy from Cambria County. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal provides online access to court docket sheets for Cambria County.
For mail requests, send your letter to the Register of Wills at 200 South Center Street, Ebensburg, PA 15931. Include the full names of both spouses and the year of the marriage.
Note: Some Cambria County court records can be accessed online through the UJS Portal, but marriage license copies must be ordered from the Register of Wills directly.
Cambria County Marriage License Application
Applying for a marriage license in Cambria County requires both people to visit the Register of Wills office together. Under Section 1301 of Pennsylvania law, no marriage may take place without a license. The fee is $60.00, and only cash is accepted in Cambria County.
Both applicants must be 18 or older. Bring valid photo identification and your Social Security number. If either person was married before, a certified divorce decree or death certificate is required. The Cambria County clerk will examine both applicants under oath about the legality of the planned marriage, as required by Pennsylvania statute.
After you apply, there is a mandatory three-day waiting period before the license becomes valid. Emergency waivers are possible in certain cases. Once the license is issued in Cambria County, it is valid for 60 days and can be used anywhere in Pennsylvania. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed certificate to the Cambria County office.
Historical Records in Cambria County
Cambria County was formed from Huntingdon and Somerset Counties on March 26, 1804. The county seat moved to Ebensburg, where all records have been kept since. There is no known history of courthouse disasters in Cambria County, which means the record collection is well preserved from its earliest days.
Marriage records in Cambria County begin in 1885, when Pennsylvania law first required counties to issue licenses. The Prothonotary holds divorce and court records from as far back as 1807. Land records through the Recorder of Deeds start in 1804. These related records can help paint a full picture of family history in Cambria County.
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds digitized microfilm for some Cambria County records. Online collections at FamilySearch cover county marriages from 1885 to 1950. The Library of Congress research guide links to several other databases that may include Cambria County marriage entries. Pennsylvania residents can also access Ancestry.com for free through the State Archives partnership.
What Cambria County Marriage Records Include
Marriage records from Cambria County contain detailed information about both spouses. The license application lists full names, ages, dates of birth, residences, and Social Security numbers. Parents' names and birthplaces are part of the record as well. The returned certificate adds the date and location of the ceremony and the name of the person who officiated.
Social Security numbers are typically redacted from public copies. Most other details remain visible. Cambria County marriage records also note whether either person had been married before and how that marriage ended. These records serve as the official proof that a legal marriage took place in the county.
- Full names and ages of both spouses
- Date and place of the ceremony
- Parents' names and birthplaces
- Officiant's name and title
- Prior marriage history
Note: For records before 1885 in Cambria County, check church archives, newspaper records, or the Pennsylvania State Archives for possible marriage documentation.
Nearby Counties
Cambria County is in the central-western part of Pennsylvania. If you are unsure which county holds a marriage record, check where the license was issued. Records stay in the county where the couple applied.