Delaware County Marriage Records Search
Delaware County marriage records are maintained by the Register of Wills in Media. The county has one of the best online search tools in the state for finding marriage records. You can look up records for free through the county website and order copies without visiting the courthouse. Delaware County holds marriage records from 1885 to the present, with some earlier records at the county archives. This guide covers how to search, order copies, and trace historical marriage records in Delaware County.
Delaware County Quick Facts
Delaware County Register of Wills
Vincent A. Rongione, Esq. serves as the Register of Wills for Delaware County. The office handles marriage license applications and keeps all marriage records on file. It is on the first floor of the Government Center at 201 West Front Street in Media. Both parties must appear in person to apply for a license. You need a valid photo ID and your Social Security number.
Under Section 1301 of Title 23, every marriage in Pennsylvania requires a license. Delaware County follows this requirement. The Register of Wills has kept marriage records since 1885. The office also handles estate matters and Orphans' Court filings. For marriage records, the Marriage Records Department on the first floor is the right place to go.
The Delaware County Register of Wills website shows details about marriage records and how to order copies.
This page outlines the services offered by the Register of Wills in Delaware County, including marriage license issuance.
| Office |
Delaware County Register of Wills Marriage Records Department, 1st Floor 201 West Front Street Media, PA 19063 Phone: (610) 891-4400 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | delcopa.gov/row |
How to Search Delaware County Marriage Records
Delaware County has a free online search portal for marriage records. You can use it from home with no account or payment. Go to the Delaware County marriage records page and click "Login as Guest." Then select "Search Public Records" and choose "Marriage Names." Type in a name and the system will show you if a record exists. This tool covers marriage records from 1885 to the present.
The online search is free, but copies cost money. Delaware County offers three types of copies. A plain PDF copy costs $2.00 and arrives by email in about seven business days. A certified copy costs $25.00 and comes by mail in about 14 business days. An exemplified copy costs $30.00 and also arrives by mail. The Social Security Administration usually needs a certified copy for name changes.
The Delaware County marriage records ordering page walks you through the process step by step.
This page shows how to search for and order copies of Delaware County marriage records online.
Orders go through the online system only. Walk-in copies are not available through this service. Before you order, make sure the marriage license was issued in Delaware County. Orders placed for records from other counties are not refunded. Contact the office directly at (610) 891-4400 if you have an urgent need for a Delaware County marriage record.
Note: The online search is free, but you must order through the website to get copies of Delaware County marriage records.
Delaware County Marriage Record Fees
Delaware County has a clear fee structure for marriage records. The three-day waiting period under Section 1303 applies to new license applications. After that, the license is valid for 60 days under Section 1307.
Copy fees for existing Delaware County marriage records are:
- Plain copy (PDF via email): $2.00
- Certified copy (paper via mail): $25.00
- Exemplified copy (paper via mail): $30.00
Certified copies are what most people need for legal matters. Banks, courts, and government agencies usually require a certified copy with the county seal. Plain PDF copies work fine for personal reference or genealogy research. The exemplified copy carries extra court certification and is used for out-of-state legal proceedings. All orders from Delaware County are processed online.
Processing times vary. Plain copies take about seven business days. Certified and exemplified copies take about 14 business days. There is no rush option listed on the Delaware County website, but you can call the office to ask about urgent requests.
Historical Marriage Records in Delaware County
Delaware County has marriage records from 1885 to the present at the Register of Wills office. The county also has some records from 1852 to 1854, the period when Pennsylvania first tried to collect marriage data at the county level. Those early records are held at the Delaware County Archives, not at the main government center in Media.
The Delaware County Archives holds marriage records from 1852 to 1854 and from 1885 to 1950. Records from 1950 onward are at the Register of Wills office. If you need a record from before 1950, contact the archives first. They have original documents and indexes that cover the early decades of marriage recording in Delaware County.
FamilySearch has digital images of Pennsylvania county marriages from 1885 to 1950. This free collection includes records from Delaware County. You can also check Ancestry.com's Pennsylvania Marriages 1852-1854 collection. Pennsylvania residents get free access through the State Archives partnership. The Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg may also have microfilm of Delaware County marriage records.
Note: Pre-1950 records in Delaware County are housed at the archives, not the Register of Wills office, so plan your visit to the right location.
What Delaware County Marriage Records Include
Each marriage record from Delaware County lists the full names of both applicants. It shows their ages, home addresses, and occupations at the time of the application. Parents' names, occupations, and places of birth are also part of the record. The date the license was issued and the date of the ceremony appear on the file. The officiant's name is on record too.
Under Section 1309, marriage license applications are public records in Pennsylvania. Anyone can search for and view them in Delaware County. You do not have to be named on the record. This makes Delaware County marriage records useful for genealogy work, legal research, and background checks. All records from 1885 onward are open to the public and can be viewed through the online search portal at no charge.
Delaware County court records can also be searched through this public records portal.
The court records site covers civil, criminal, and family matters in Delaware County.
Legal Help in Delaware County
Delaware County has many resources for people who need help with marriage or family law matters. Pennsylvania Legal Aid at palegalaid.net serves residents who meet income limits. The Pennsylvania Bar Association lawyer referral line is (800) 692-7375. They can match you with an attorney in Delaware County who handles family law cases.
The Unified Judicial System Portal lets you search court records for free across all Pennsylvania counties. Basic case data shows up right away. For copies of actual marriage documents, go through the Delaware County Register of Wills. The Delaware County Bar Association also has a referral service for local attorneys.
Nearby Counties
Delaware County borders Philadelphia to the east and Chester County to the west. If you are not sure which county holds your marriage record, check where the license was issued. Records stay with the county that granted the license.