Erie County Marriage Records
Erie County marriage records are held by the Clerk of Records at the Erie County Courthouse. The Clerk of Records handles marriage licenses, court filings, deed recordings, and probate matters all in one office. Erie County has marriage records from 1885 to the present. You can search records in person for free during office hours. The county also has an online application for new marriage licenses. This guide covers how to find, search, and obtain marriage records in Erie County.
Erie County Quick Facts
Erie County Clerk of Records
The Erie County Clerk of Records is a combined office. It performs the duties of five separate offices: Clerk of Courts, Prothonotary, Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, and Clerk of Orphans' Court. This means one office handles marriage licenses, court records, property deeds, estates, and more. The office oversees the Marriage Licenses Bureau, which processes all new applications and stores past records in Erie County.
The Clerk of Records office is at 140 West Sixth Street in Erie, inside the Erie County Courthouse. Both parties must appear in person to apply for a marriage license. Bring a valid photo ID and your Social Security number. If you were married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse. Under Section 1301 of Title 23, a license is required for all marriages in Pennsylvania.
The Erie County Clerk of Records website shows the range of services and records available at the courthouse.
The Clerk of Records page details how the office handles marriage licenses and other public record services in Erie County.
| Office |
Erie County Clerk of Records Marriage Licenses Bureau 140 West Sixth Street Erie, PA 16501 Phone: (814) 451-6258 Marriage Bureau: (814) 451-6347 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | eriecountypa.gov |
How to Search Erie County Marriage Records
Erie County allows free in-person searching of marriage records during office hours. Walk into the Clerk of Records office at 140 West Sixth Street and ask to search the records. There is no charge for looking through the records yourself. If you want the office staff to run the search for you, there is a $20.00 search fee.
To search, you need the full names of both parties and the rough year of the marriage. A license number helps if you have one. The index at the courthouse covers all Erie County marriage records from 1885 forward. The staff can also help you with probate and court records if you need those.
The Erie County marriage licenses page explains the application process and fees.
This page covers what you need to know before applying for a marriage license in Erie County.
You can also search court records through the Unified Judicial System Portal. This free tool covers all 67 Pennsylvania counties. For actual marriage record copies, contact the Erie County Clerk of Records directly. Certified copies cost $5.00 each, which is one of the lower rates in the state.
Note: Independent searching at the Erie County courthouse is free, but you pay $20.00 if you ask the staff to do the search for you.
Erie County Marriage Record Fees
Erie County updated its fee schedule effective March 1, 2025. The new marriage license fee is $65.00 total, which includes one certified copy of the marriage certificate. This is a modest increase from the prior rate. Under Section 1303, the three-day waiting period applies after both parties file their applications.
- Marriage license (includes one certified copy): $65.00
- Additional certified copies: $5.00 each
- Independent record search: free
- Office-conducted search: $20.00
The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued under Section 1307. You can use it anywhere in Pennsylvania. If the 60 days pass without a ceremony, you must apply again and pay a new fee in Erie County. The office takes cash, checks, and money orders. Ask about credit card options when you call.
Erie County Historical Marriage Records
Erie County has marriage records from 1885 to the present. The courthouse burned in 1823, and all records before that date were lost. Since the state did not require marriage licenses until 1885, the fire did not affect marriage record keeping. From 1885 forward, Erie County has a full set of marriage license records at the Clerk of Records office.
The Erie County Historical Society at 356 West Sixth Street in Erie holds some older records. They have City of Erie birth records from 1888 to 1905 and death records from 1894 to 1905. These are not marriage records, but they can help with family research. The Historical Society phone number is (814) 454-1813.
The Erie County court records page shows the public records available from the courthouse.
This portal lets you explore Erie County court records and related public documents.
FamilySearch has digital images of Pennsylvania County Marriages from 1885 to 1950. Check the catalog for Erie County. The Ancestry.com Pennsylvania Marriages 1852-1854 collection covers the brief early recording period. Pennsylvania residents get free Ancestry access through the State Archives. The State Archives in Harrisburg may also have microfilm copies of Erie County marriage records.
Note: The 1823 courthouse fire destroyed all records before that date, but no marriage records were lost since county-level marriage recording did not start until 1885.
What Erie County Marriage Records Include
Each marriage record from Erie County shows the full names of both parties. It lists their ages, addresses, and occupations at the time of the application. Parents' names and birthplaces appear on most records. The date the license was issued and the date of the ceremony are both noted. The officiant's name is included too.
Under Section 1309, marriage license applications are public records in Pennsylvania. Anyone can request to view them at the Erie County Clerk of Records. You do not need to be a party to the marriage. Certified copies cost $5.00 and carry the county seal for legal use. Plain copies are available for personal or genealogy needs.
Birth records from 1893 to 1905 and death records from the same period are also on file at the Clerk of Records in Erie County. After 1906, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Vital Statistics took over birth and death recording. Post-1906 records can be requested from the Division of Vital Records in New Castle at (724) 656-3100.
Legal Help in Erie County
Erie County residents have several options for legal help with marriage and family matters. Pennsylvania Legal Aid at palegalaid.net serves residents who qualify based on income. The Pennsylvania Bar Association runs a lawyer referral line at (800) 692-7375. They can connect you with a family law attorney in Erie County. The Erie County Bar Association also offers local referrals.
The Library of Congress guide to Pennsylvania vital records is a solid reference for anyone doing genealogy work in Erie County. For post-1906 birth and death records, contact the Pennsylvania Bureau of Vital Statistics at 156 East 14th Street, Erie, PA or call (724) 656-3100.
Cities in Erie County
The City of Erie is the county seat and largest city in Erie County. All marriage licenses for residents of Erie County are issued through the Clerk of Records at the county courthouse. City residents apply for marriage licenses at the county level, not through the city government.
Erie is the fourth-largest city in Pennsylvania. Visit the Erie city page for more local information about marriage records and services in the city.
Nearby Counties
Erie County sits on Lake Erie in the far northwest corner of Pennsylvania. It borders New York to the east and Ohio to the west. If you are not sure which county holds your marriage record, check where the license was issued. Records stay with the issuing county.