Carbon County Marriage License Records

Carbon County marriage records are kept by the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court at the Carbon County Courthouse in Jim Thorpe. The office holds all marriage license applications from 1885 to the present. You can visit in person, call, or send a letter to search for records. Carbon County was formed in 1843 and is named for the coal deposits found in the region. The courthouse at 4 Broadway in Jim Thorpe is the central office for all marriage record requests in the county.

Carbon County Register of Wills

The Carbon County Register of Wills manages all marriage licenses and records for the county. The office sits at 4 Broadway in Jim Thorpe, which was formerly called Mauch Chunk. You can reach the office at 570-325-2261 or by fax at 570-325-3609. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

This office handles more than marriage records. It also probates wills, manages estate administration, and stores old birth and death records from 1893 to 1905. For marriage records, the staff can search files by name and provide copies. Carbon County keeps records well organized from 1885 to the present day. An online application for new marriage licenses is available through the county website.

The Prothonotary handles divorce and civil court records in a separate office at the same courthouse.

Note: Jim Thorpe is a popular tourist town, so parking near the courthouse can be limited on weekends and holidays.

Searching Carbon County Marriage Records

You can search for marriage records in Carbon County in person, by phone, or by mail. The choice depends on what you need and how fast you need it. In-person visits give you the quickest results. Phone calls can confirm if a record exists. Mail requests work for people who live far from Jim Thorpe.

To search in person, go to 4 Broadway in Jim Thorpe. Bring your ID and the names of the people on the marriage license. The staff will check the index and pull any matching files. You can view records and get copies. Certified copies with the official seal are available for legal purposes. Plain copies work for personal research or genealogy.

All marriage license applications in Pennsylvania are public records under Section 1309 of Title 23. This means anyone can request a copy from Carbon County, whether or not they are named on the license. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal offers free access to court docket sheets that may relate to marriage matters in Carbon County.

For mail requests, write to the Register of Wills at 4 Broadway, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229. Include the full names of both spouses, the approximate year of the marriage, and payment for the copy fee. Cash or check is accepted. The office will search their files and mail back copies if a match is found.

Carbon County Marriage License Process

Getting a marriage license in Carbon County requires both people to appear at the Register of Wills office. Pennsylvania law under Section 1301 makes a license mandatory for any marriage ceremony. The fee is $50.00, and cash or check is accepted.

Both applicants must be 18 or older. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Your Social Security number is also required. If you were married before, bring a certified divorce decree or death certificate to show the prior marriage ended. The Carbon County clerk examines both people under oath about the legality of the marriage as part of the application process.

After the application is done, a three-day waiting period must pass before the license is valid. The license then stays good for 60 days and works anywhere in Pennsylvania. After the wedding, the officiant returns the completed certificate to the Carbon County office for filing.

• Both applicants appear in person
• Valid photo ID and Social Security number
• $50.00 fee in cash or check
• Proof of prior marriage dissolution if needed
• Three-day waiting period applies

Historical Records in Carbon County

Carbon County was carved from Monroe and Northampton Counties on March 13, 1843. The county seat was originally called Mauch Chunk before being renamed Jim Thorpe in 1954. There is no known history of courthouse disasters in Carbon County, so records are well preserved from the earliest days of the county.

Marriage records start in 1885 when Pennsylvania law began requiring county-issued licenses. The Prothonotary holds divorce and court records from 1843, the year the county was formed. Land records through the Recorder of Deeds also date back to 1843. These records together provide a detailed picture of life in Carbon County over nearly two centuries.

For family history research, the Pennsylvania State Archives holds some Carbon County records on microfilm. FamilySearch has county marriage records from 1885 to 1950 that may include Carbon County entries. The Ancestry.com collection of Pennsylvania marriages from 1852 to 1854 is another resource. Pennsylvania residents can access Ancestry for free through the State Archives partnership.

The Library of Congress guide to Pennsylvania vital records lists additional databases and archives. Church records and old newspapers from the Jim Thorpe area may fill gaps for marriages before 1885 in Carbon County.

Note: Carbon County birth and death records from 1893 to 1905 are also stored at the Register of Wills office and may help with family history research.

What Carbon County Marriage Records Contain

Marriage records from Carbon County include the full names, ages, and dates of birth of both spouses. Residences at the time of the application are listed. Parents' names and birthplaces appear on the record. The returned certificate adds the date and place of the ceremony along with the officiant's name.

Prior marriage history is also part of the Carbon County file. Social Security numbers are on the original application but are typically redacted from public copies. Certified copies from the Carbon County Register of Wills carry the official seal and serve as legal proof of marriage for name changes, property transfers, and other purposes.

Nearby Counties

Carbon County sits in northeastern Pennsylvania. Marriage records are filed in the county where the license was issued. If you need a record from a nearby county, contact that county's Register of Wills.

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