Clarion County Marriage License Records
Clarion County marriage records are managed by the Register and Recorder's Office at the Clarion County Courthouse. Marriage licenses have been on file here since 1885. The office sits on the first floor of the courthouse at 421 Main Street in Clarion. You can apply for a new license, search old records, or get certified copies. Clarion County also offers online access to some records through a subscription service. This page explains how to find and use Clarion County marriage records.
Clarion County Quick Facts
Clarion County Register and Recorder Office
The Clarion County Register and Recorder handles marriage licenses through the Orphans' Court division. The office is on the first floor of the courthouse, Suite 24, at 421 Main Street in Clarion. You can reach them at (814) 226-4000. All records are open for public review Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Clarion County was formed from Venango and Armstrong Counties in 1839. Marriage records here start in 1885. The office also holds birth and death records from 1893 to 1906. After 1906, birth and death records moved to the state Division of Vital Records in New Castle. The Register and Recorder keeps estate records, land documents, and probate files as well.
The Clarion County Register and Recorder page shows the office layout and services available for marriage records.
Staff can help you search records in person or point you to online tools.
| Office |
Clarion County Register & Recorder Clerk of Orphans' Court 421 Main Street, Suite 24 Clarion, PA 16214 Phone: (814) 226-4000 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.clarion.pa.us |
Clarion County Marriage License Application
You can apply for a marriage license in Clarion County in person or online. All applicants must schedule an appointment first. Call the office at (814) 226-4000, extension 2501. Both people must show up together at the courthouse for in-person applications.
Online applications are available through Infocon County Access. Do not apply online more than 60 days before your wedding. The license expires 60 days after it is issued. Under Section 1303 of Title 23, a three-day waiting period applies from the date you submit your application.
Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or birth certificate. Know your birthdate, birthplace, Social Security number, and your parents' birthplaces and addresses. The fee is $45.00. Cash or check only. If you were divorced, bring the decree. A divorce within the last 30 days requires the decree at the time of application.
The Clarion County marriage license page details all requirements for applicants.
Review these rules before you visit to save time at the office.
Note: Common law marriage has not been valid in Pennsylvania since January 1, 2005.
Search Clarion County Marriage Records
Clarion County marriage records from 1885 to the present are available for public review. Visit the office in person during business hours. Staff can look up records by name or date. The computerized index makes searches faster for recent records.
Online access is also available 24 hours a day through Infocon Corporation. This is a paid subscription service at infoconcountyaccess.com. It works like the public access terminal at the courthouse. You can search deeds, wills, and other recorded documents from home. Under Section 1309, marriage license applications are public records and must be filed and docketed. Anyone may search them.
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal lets you search court records for free. For certified copies of Clarion County marriage records, contact the Register and Recorder directly. The office can mail copies if you cannot visit in person.
Clarion County court records are accessible through this online guide as well.
The guide explains how to find case records and request copies from the county.
Historical Marriage Records in Clarion County
Marriage records in Clarion County begin in 1885. Divorce records go back to 1880. The Prothonotary holds court records from 1874. Land and probate records start in 1840, shortly after the county formed in 1839.
Before 1885, marriages in Clarion County were not formally recorded at the county level. Church records, newspaper notices, and family bibles are the best sources for earlier marriages. The Pennsylvania State Archives may hold some early records on microfilm. A brief period of state-mandated recording occurred from 1852 to 1854, but records from that time are incomplete.
There is no known history of courthouse fire or disaster in Clarion County. The records here are intact from the dates they began. Genealogists can access marriage license dockets and related files at the Register and Recorder's Office. The state law requiring marriage licenses took effect on September 30, 1885, and Clarion County has maintained records since that date.
Note: The Clarion County office does not perform wedding ceremonies. It only issues licenses.
Clarion County Marriage Record Contents
A typical marriage record in Clarion County shows the names of both parties. It includes their ages, birthplaces, and residences at the time of application. Social Security numbers are collected but may not appear on public copies. The record lists the date the license was issued and the date of the marriage.
The officiant's name and location appear on the returned certificate. Under Section 1307, each license comes with an original and a duplicate certificate. The officiant fills out and returns one copy to the county. This returned certificate confirms the marriage took place. Clarion County files it as a permanent public record.
- Full names of both applicants
- Ages, birthplaces, and residences
- Parents' names and addresses
- Date of license and date of marriage
- Name of officiant who performed the ceremony
Nearby Counties
Clarion County sits in western Pennsylvania. If you are not sure which county issued a marriage license, check where the couple lived at the time. Records stay in the county where the license was filed.