Cumberland County Marriage License Records
Cumberland County marriage records are maintained at the county courthouse in Carlisle. The Clerk of Orphans' Court issues marriage licenses and keeps the county's marriage files. Cumberland County is one of the oldest counties in Pennsylvania, established in 1750. Marriage license records begin in 1885. You can search for records, apply for a new license, or get certified copies at the courthouse. This page covers how to access Cumberland County marriage records.
Cumberland County Quick Facts
Cumberland County Clerk of Orphans' Court
The Clerk of Orphans' Court in Cumberland County issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records. The Cumberland County government website provides information on county offices and services. The courthouse is in Carlisle, the county seat.
Cumberland County was established in 1750 and served as a parent county for several other Pennsylvania counties, including Bedford, Franklin, and Perry. The county has a long history, and many of its older records are well preserved. Marriage license records start in 1885, when Pennsylvania began requiring them under state law. Birth and death records at the county level typically cover 1893 to 1905.
The Cumberland County official website shows the layout of county services and departments.
Use the site to find contact details and office locations for the Clerk of Orphans' Court.
| Office |
Cumberland County Clerk of Orphans' Court Cumberland County Courthouse Carlisle, PA 17013 Phone: Contact through county website |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | cumberlandcountypa.gov |
Cumberland County Marriage License Application
Both people must appear in person to apply for a marriage license in Cumberland County. Bring valid photo ID. You need to know your Social Security number, birthdate, and birthplace. Parents' information is also required.
Under Section 1303 of Title 23, Pennsylvania requires a three-day waiting period before the license is issued. The license 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 satisfy this requirement.
Contact the Clerk of Orphans' Court through the Cumberland County website for the current license fee. Fees vary by county in Pennsylvania, and each office sets its own rates. Applicants must be 18 or older. Younger applicants need parental consent and possibly court approval.
Under Section 1301, no marriage in Pennsylvania may be performed without a valid license. The Cumberland County Clerk of Orphans' Court is the only office in the county authorized to issue them.
How to Search Marriage Records in Cumberland County
You can search Cumberland County marriage records by visiting the Clerk of Orphans' Court in Carlisle. Staff can look up records by name and date. Bring as much detail as you can. The more you know, the faster the search.
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal provides free access to court records statewide. You can search by name or case number. This tool covers civil and criminal records but may not include all marriage docket information. For certified copies of Cumberland County marriage records, contact the Clerk of Orphans' Court directly.
Cumberland County court records are covered in this informational guide.
The guide explains how to find and request different types of court records in Cumberland County.
Under Section 1309, all marriage license applications in Pennsylvania are filed and docketed as public records. Anyone can request to view them. You do not need to be one of the parties on the license.
Note: Some Cumberland County records may also be available through subscription services that digitize county records across Pennsylvania.
Cumberland County Historical Marriage Records
Cumberland County was one of the first counties in central Pennsylvania. It was created in 1750 from Lancaster County. Several other counties later split off from Cumberland, including Bedford in 1771 and Franklin in 1784. This long history means some records that seem like they should be in another county might actually trace back to Cumberland County.
Marriage license records in Cumberland County start in 1885. Before that date, marriages were not systematically recorded at the county level. Church records, newspaper announcements, and family bibles are the best sources for pre-1885 marriages. The Pennsylvania State Archives holds microfilmed records from many counties, including some from Cumberland County.
A short-lived state law from 1852 to 1854 required counties to record marriages. Not all counties have complete records from that period. The Ancestry Pennsylvania Marriages 1852-1854 collection includes records from 49 of the 64 counties that existed at the time. Cumberland County records from this period may be available there.
The Library of Congress guide to Pennsylvania vital records lists additional resources for genealogical research. State marriage bonds from 1743 to 1790 were published in the Pennsylvania Archives, Series 2. These cover the era when Cumberland County was still a much larger territory.
Cumberland County Marriage Record Details
Marriage records in Cumberland County show the full names of both parties. Ages, residences, and birthplaces appear on the application. Parents' names are typically listed. The date of the license and date of the ceremony are on the returned certificate.
Under Section 1307, each license is issued with an original and a duplicate certificate. The person who performs the ceremony signs one copy and returns it to the county. This returned certificate becomes the permanent record. Certified copies from the Cumberland County office carry a seal and serve as legal proof of the marriage.
- Full names of both spouses
- Ages and residences at time of application
- Parents' names and birthplaces
- Date of license and date of marriage
- Name of officiant
- Prior marriage information if applicable
Legal Resources for Cumberland County
If you need help with marriage records or related legal matters in Cumberland County, several resources are available. The CDC guide for Pennsylvania vital records lists where to write for records in each county. Pennsylvania Legal Aid serves residents who qualify based on income.
The Pennsylvania Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (800) 692-7375. They can connect you with a family law attorney in Cumberland County. For self-help options, the Pennsylvania Courts website has forms and instructions for people who do not have a lawyer.
Nearby Counties
Cumberland County is in south-central Pennsylvania, near the state capital in Harrisburg. If a marriage license was issued in a nearby county, contact that county's Clerk of Orphans' Court for records.