Columbia County Marriage Records
Columbia County marriage records are kept by the Register and Recorder's Office at the courthouse in Bloomsburg. The office holds marriage licenses from 1885 to the present. Columbia County also offers online record access through a paid software system called LANDEX. You can search records, apply for a new marriage license, or get certified copies at the courthouse. This guide walks through the steps for finding Columbia County marriage records and what to expect.
Columbia County Quick Facts
Columbia County Register and Recorder
The Columbia County Register and Recorder is an elected position. Brenda Lupini currently holds the office. The staff includes Chief Deputy Hollie Stewart, Assistant Deputy Debora McHenry, and Clerk Linda Allen. The office handles wills, deeds, mortgages, marriage licenses, and other recorded documents.
The courthouse address for mail is P.O. Box 360, Bloomsburg, PA 17815. For in-person visits and courier deliveries, go to 35 West Main Street, Court House, Bloomsburg, PA 17815. The phone number is (570) 389-5632. Fax is (570) 389-5636. The office processes about 11,477 documents each year.
Marriage records in Columbia County go back to 1885. The office also keeps deeds and mortgages from 1974 to the present in its online index. Will records are indexed from 1995. The Register and Recorder serves as both the Recorder of Deeds and the Clerk of Orphans' Court.
| Office |
Columbia County Register & Recorder 35 West Main Street, Court House Bloomsburg, PA 17815 Phone: (570) 389-5632 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | columbiapa.org |
Columbia County Marriage License Process
Both applicants must appear in person at the Columbia County courthouse to apply for a marriage license. Bring valid photo ID and your Social Security cards. Under Section 1301 of Title 23, no marriage in Pennsylvania may be performed without a valid license.
A three-day waiting period applies under Section 1303. The license will not be ready until three days after your application. Once issued, you have 60 days to use it. The license works anywhere in Pennsylvania. Contact the office at (570) 389-5632 for the current fee.
If either applicant was married before, proof of how the prior marriage ended is required. Bring a divorce decree or death certificate. The office staff can walk you through the full list of what to bring when you call ahead.
Note: Document turnaround time at the Columbia County Register and Recorder averages about two days from receipt.
Online Marriage Records in Columbia County
Columbia County uses the LANDEX system for online record access. The system is run by Optical Storage Solutions. It provides real-time access to the official records database from your home computer. Two options are available.
LANDEX Remote is for frequent users. You download free software, set up an account, and add money to it. The cost is $0.20 per minute while connected. Printing to your own printer is free. Searches work by name, instrument number, municipality, date, and more. You need a Windows PC to run LANDEX Remote.
LANDEX Webstore is for people who search less often. It uses a pay-as-you-go setup with credit card payments. Documents come in PDF format. The Webstore works on both Windows and Mac. Both systems cover deeds, mortgages, and miscellaneous records from 1974 to the present in Columbia County.
Certified copies cannot be obtained online. You must visit the courthouse or send a request by mail for those. A name search costs $20.00, plus $0.50 per page for copies. Certification of documents costs $1.50 per document.
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal also lets you search court records for free. Under Section 1309, marriage applications are public records open to anyone.
Columbia County Record Fees
Columbia County sets its own fee schedule for recorded documents. The current fee schedule took effect in June 2025. Here are some common fees that apply when you request Columbia County marriage records and related documents.
- Name search: $20.00, plus $0.50 per page for copies
- Certified copy: $1.50 per document
- Standard page copies: $0.50 each
- Large format copies (11x17): $1.00 each
Make checks payable to Columbia County Recorder of Deeds. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your request. The office asks that you use an envelope large enough for the documents you need. Contact the office for the current marriage license fee, as it is listed separately from recording fees.
Columbia County Historical Marriage Records
Marriage records in Columbia County start in 1885. Before that year, marriages were not recorded at the county level. Church records and newspaper notices serve as the main sources for earlier marriages. The Pennsylvania State Archives may hold some early records on microfilm.
A brief state law from 1852 to 1854 required county-level marriage recording. Records from that period are incomplete and not available for every county. Under Section 1307, the modern license system has been in place since September 30, 1885. Each license includes an original and duplicate certificate. The officiant returns the completed form to the county.
Columbia County court records are available through this guide to county marriage records.
The guide covers how to request copies and what resources are available for Columbia County.
Note: The LANDEX online system covers records from 1974 forward. For marriage records before that date, visit the courthouse in person.
Nearby Counties
Columbia County sits in northeast-central Pennsylvania. If a marriage license was issued in a neighboring county, you need to contact that county's office. Records stay where the license was filed.