Chester County Marriage Records

Chester County marriage records date back to 1885 and are kept by the Register of Wills at the Justice Center in West Chester. The county was one of three original counties William Penn created in 1682, so it holds some of the oldest records in the state. You can search for marriage licenses, get certified copies, and look up historical records through the office. Both online tools and in-person visits let you find what you need. This guide walks you through how to access Chester County marriage records today.

Chester County Register of Wills Office

The Chester County Register of Wills issues marriage licenses and keeps all marriage records. The office sits in the Chester County Justice Center at 201 West Market Street, Suite 1500, in West Chester. Staff handle license applications, certified copies, and record searches. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Chester County marriage records go back to 1885. The office also holds birth and death records from 1893 to 1905. You can call ahead at (610) 344-6335 to check on a record before you visit. Fax requests go to (610) 344-6954. The staff can help you find older records and walk you through the application steps. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit the Chester County Register of Wills.

The Chester County marriage license page provides details on Chester County marriage records and current requirements for applicants.

This page lists the steps, fees, and documents you need to apply for a marriage license in Chester County.

Chester County Marriage License Process

Both people must appear in person at the Chester County Register of Wills to apply. You cannot send just one person. Bring valid photo ID and your Social Security numbers. The fee is $60.00, and the office takes cash, check, or credit card.

Under Section 1303 of Title 23, Pennsylvania requires a three-day waiting period. Your license will not be ready until three days after you apply. Once issued, it stays valid for 60 days. You can use it anywhere in the state. If you were married before, bring proof that the prior marriage ended. A divorce decree or death certificate will work.

Chester County also offers an online marriage license application. You start the form on the county website and then visit the office to finish. This saves time at the counter. The three-day wait still applies even with online applications.

Note: Applicants must be 18 or older to apply without parental consent in Chester County.

How to Search Marriage Records in Chester County

You can search Chester County marriage records in person or through online tools. The office keeps records from 1885 to the present. For in-person searches, visit the Justice Center in West Chester. Staff can look up records by name or date.

The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal gives you access to court records across all counties. You can search by name or case number for free. For actual certified copies of Chester County marriage records, contact the Register of Wills directly.

Chester County court records are also listed through this third-party guide to Chester County marriage records.

The guide covers how to request copies and what the records contain.

Under Section 1309, all marriage license applications in Chester County are filed and docketed as public records. Anyone can request to view them. You do not have to be a party to the marriage.

Note: The Pennsylvania State Archives holds digitized microfilm of some Chester County marriage records for genealogical research.

Chester County Historical Marriage Records

Chester County has deep roots. William Penn created it in 1682 as one of three original counties. The Prothonotary has court records going back to that year. Marriage license records start in 1885, when the state began requiring them under Section 1301 of Title 23.

Before 1885, marriages were not recorded at the county level in any formal way. Church records and newspaper notices are the main sources for those earlier years. The Pennsylvania State Archives holds some early records. A brief period from 1852 to 1854 saw county-level recording, but it did not last. The Recorder of Deeds also has land records from 1682 that can help piece together family histories.

There is no known history of courthouse disasters in Chester County. Records here are among the most complete in the state. Genealogists often start their research in Chester County because the records span so many years.

Chester County Marriage Record Details

A Chester County marriage record typically shows the full names of both parties. It lists their ages, residences, and occupations. The date and place of the marriage appear on the license. Parents' names and their residences are often included as well.

The record also shows the name of the person who performed the ceremony. Under Section 1307, the license is issued with an original and a duplicate certificate. The officiant returns the completed certificate to the county. This becomes part of the permanent record in Chester County. Certified copies carry a raised seal and serve as legal proof of the marriage.

• Names and ages of both spouses
• Date the license was issued
• Date and place of the marriage
• Name of the officiant
• Parents' names when available

Chester County Marriage Record Fees

The marriage license fee in Chester County is $60.00. The office accepts cash, check, or credit card. Certified copies of existing marriage records cost a separate fee. Call the office at (610) 344-6335 to confirm the current copy fee before you visit.

If you need records from the state level, the CDC guide for Pennsylvania vital records explains how to write to the right office. Marriage records are not held at the state level in Pennsylvania. You must go through the county where the license was issued. Chester County handles its own records directly.

Note: Fees can change, so always verify with the Chester County Register of Wills before sending payment.

Nearby Counties

Chester County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. If you are not sure where a marriage license was issued, check the address at the time of the wedding. You must request records from the county that issued the license.

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