Search Cameron County Marriage Records

Cameron County marriage records are managed by the Prothonotary and Clerk of Orphans' Court at the Cameron County Courthouse in Emporium. As the smallest population county in Pennsylvania, Cameron County operates a combined office that handles marriage licenses along with other court filings. You can search for marriage records in person or by contacting the office at 20 East 5th Street. Records go back to 1885 and cover all marriages licensed in the county. The staff can help you locate old and current records alike.

Cameron County Prothonotary Office

The Cameron County Prothonotary serves as Clerk of Courts and Clerk of Orphans' Court. This single office handles marriage license applications, civil and criminal court filings, and orphans' court matters. Cameron County is a 9th Class county, the smallest class in Pennsylvania, so one office manages what larger counties split across several departments.

The office is at 20 East 5th Street in Emporium. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The phone number is 814-486-2315 and the fax is 814-486-2294. Staff here issue new marriage licenses and can pull old records for review or copying. Cameron County marriage records date back to 1885, and birth and death records from 1893 to 1905 are also on file.

The Cameron County official website provides contact details and directions to the courthouse. Emporium is a small borough in north-central Pennsylvania, so if you plan to visit, check hours before making the trip.

How to Get Cameron County Marriage Records

Getting marriage records from Cameron County is straightforward. The small size of the county means the office staff can often find what you need quickly. Call 814-486-2315 before you visit to make sure the record is available and to confirm what fees apply.

For an in-person search, drive to the courthouse at 20 East 5th Street in Emporium. Bring your photo ID and any facts you have about the marriage. The staff can search by name and pull records from the files. You can get plain copies for research or certified copies for legal use. Under Section 1309 of Title 23, marriage license applications are public records in Pennsylvania. Anyone can ask to see them in Cameron County.

Mail requests work well if you live far from Emporium. Send your letter to the Prothonotary at 20 East 5th Street, Emporium, PA 15834. Include the names of both spouses, the approximate year, and a check or cash for the copy fee. The UJS Portal provides online access to some Cameron County court records if you need related documents.

Note: Cameron County has a small staff, so allow extra time for mail requests during busy periods.

Cameron County Marriage License Requirements

A marriage license from Cameron County costs $40.00. Cash or check is accepted. This is one of the lower fees among Pennsylvania counties. Under Pennsylvania law, no marriage can happen without a license from a county office.

Both people must come to the Emporium office to apply. You need to be at least 18 years old. Bring a valid photo ID and your Social Security number. If you were married before, bring proof that the earlier marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or death certificate will work. The clerk will examine both applicants under oath as required by Pennsylvania statute.

The three-day waiting period begins after both people appear and complete the application in Cameron County. Once the waiting period passes, the license is valid for 60 days. You can use it anywhere in Pennsylvania. The completed certificate must be returned to Cameron County after the ceremony.

Cameron County History and Marriage Records

Cameron County was formed from Clinton, Elk, McKean, and Potter Counties on March 29, 1860. It is the least populated county in Pennsylvania. The county seat has always been Emporium. There is no known record of any courthouse fire or disaster, so historical files are well kept.

Marriage records in Cameron County start in 1885. Divorce records go back to 1861, just one year after the county was formed. Court records start from 1860, and land records through the Recorder of Deeds also begin in 1860. These early records can help trace family history in this rural part of north-central Pennsylvania. The Register of Wills holds probate records from 1860 as well.

For records older than 1885, church archives and newspaper files may hold clues. The Pennsylvania State Archives has some digitized county records on microfilm. FamilySearch covers some Cameron County marriage records from 1885 to 1950. The Ancestry.com Pennsylvania marriages collection for 1852 to 1854 may contain early entries from the area that later became Cameron County.

Note: Because Cameron County was formed in 1860, earlier records for this area may be filed under Clinton, Elk, McKean, or Potter County.

What Cameron County Marriage Records Show

A marriage record from Cameron County lists key facts about the couple and the ceremony. The application includes full names, ages, dates of birth, residences, and parents' information. The returned certificate shows the date and place of the wedding and the name of the officiant or witnesses.

Cameron County marriage records also note whether either person was previously married. Social Security numbers appear on the original application but are usually redacted from public copies. Certified copies from Cameron County carry the official seal and serve as legal proof of marriage for name changes, insurance, and other official matters. The Prothonotary can explain what information is available on any given record.

Nearby Counties

Cameron County is in north-central Pennsylvania. It borders several counties where marriage records may also be filed. Check the license to see which county office holds the record you need.

View All 67 Counties