Franklin County Marriage Record Search
Franklin County marriage records are on file at the Register of Wills in Chambersburg. The county has one of the most complete historical marriage record collections in Pennsylvania, with dockets spanning from 1885 to 1963 on microfilm. Franklin County holds continuous marriage records from 1885 to the present. You can search for records at the courthouse, by mail, or through online genealogy databases. This guide covers how to find, request, and use marriage records in Franklin County.
Franklin County Quick Facts
Franklin County Register of Wills
The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court handles marriage licenses in Franklin County. The office is in the Franklin County Courthouse at 157 Lincoln Way East in Chambersburg. Both people must appear together to apply for a license. Bring a valid photo ID and your Social Security number. If either person was married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse.
Under Section 1301 of Title 23, all marriages in Pennsylvania require a license. Franklin County follows this rule. The Register of Wills also handles estates, adoptions, and guardianship matters. For marriage records, the office is the sole source for certified copies in Franklin County.
The Franklin County government website lists departments and services available to residents.
The county website provides links to the Register of Wills and other offices that handle public records in Franklin County.
| Office |
Franklin County Register of Wills Clerk of Orphans' Court 157 Lincoln Way East Chambersburg, PA 17201 Phone: (717) 261-3810 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | franklincountypa.gov |
How to Search Franklin County Marriage Records
The most direct way to search for marriage records in Franklin County is at the courthouse in Chambersburg. Visit the Register of Wills office and give the clerk the names of both parties and the year of the marriage. The clerk will search the index and pull the record. Franklin County has records organized by volume and date, which makes searches straightforward.
You can also request records by mail. Write to the Register of Wills at 157 Lincoln Way East, Chambersburg, PA 17201. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate date, and a check for the copy fees. The office will search the records and mail back what they find. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope to speed up the process.
The Unified Judicial System Portal covers court records across all 67 Pennsylvania counties. You can search by name or case number for free. For actual marriage record copies, contact the Franklin County Register of Wills. The court records page for Franklin County also provides information.
The Franklin County court records portal shows public case information and available records.
This page lists court records and public documents available for Franklin County.
Note: Franklin County does not have a dedicated online marriage records search, so in-person and mail requests are the primary methods for obtaining records.
Franklin County Marriage Record Fees
Franklin County charges a fee for marriage license applications and for copies of existing records. Call the Register of Wills at (717) 261-3810 to confirm current fees. Under Section 1303, there is a three-day waiting period after you apply for a license. The license is valid for 60 days under Section 1307.
The office takes cash, checks, and money orders. Checks should be made out to the Register of Wills. Credit card acceptance may vary, so confirm before your visit. The three-day waiting period can be waived by the court in emergency or extraordinary situations. Otherwise, plan to return after three days to pick up the license in Franklin County.
Franklin County Historical Marriage Records
Franklin County was formed on September 9, 1784, from Cumberland County. The county seat has been Chambersburg since the beginning. Marriage records in Franklin County start in 1885, the year Pennsylvania began requiring county-level marriage license recording. The county has no known courthouse fires or major record losses.
The Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg holds an extensive set of Franklin County marriage license dockets from 1885 to 1963. The collection spans 46 volumes across microfilm reels 1927 through 1950. This is one of the most thorough microfilm collections for any Pennsylvania county. You can view these at the State Archives at 1681 North Sixth Street in Harrisburg or through FamilySearch.
FamilySearch has the Pennsylvania County Marriages 1885-1950 collection online for free. Check the catalog for Franklin County marriage license dockets. The dockets from 1885 to 1963 are indexed and easy to browse. The Ancestry.com Pennsylvania Marriages 1852-1854 collection covers the brief early recording period. Pennsylvania residents get free Ancestry access through the State Archives partnership.
Before 1885, church records are the main source for Franklin County marriage information. The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania holds church records from several Franklin County congregations. These include Jacob's Lutheran Church records from 1791 to 1877, East Conococheague Presbyterian marriages from 1803 to 1877, Zion Reformed Church records, and Welsh Run Church records. The Chambersburg Weekly Advertiser published marriage notices from 1792 to 1803.
- Jacob's Lutheran Church, Washington Township: births, marriages, burials 1791 to 1877
- East Conococheague and Greencastle Presbyterian: marriages 1803 to 1877
- Welsh Run Church records: various dates
- Zion Reformed Church records: various dates
- Chambersburg Weekly Advertiser notices: 1792 to 1803
These church records are an excellent source for pre-1885 marriage research in Franklin County. They predate civil marriage registration by decades. The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania at 2100 Byberry Road, Suite 111, Philadelphia, PA 19116 can help you access these collections.
Note: Franklin County has one of the most complete historical marriage record collections in Pennsylvania, with microfilm covering nearly 80 years of marriage license dockets.
What Franklin County Marriage Records Show
A marriage record from Franklin County lists the full names of both parties. It includes ages, home addresses, and occupations. Parents' names and birthplaces appear on most records. The date of the application, the date the license was issued, and the date of the ceremony are all part of the file. The name of the officiant is recorded too.
Under Section 1309, marriage license applications are public records in Pennsylvania. Anyone can ask to see them in Franklin County. You do not have to be related to the parties. Certified copies carry the county seal and serve as proof of marriage for legal, financial, and government purposes. Plain copies work for personal reference or family history.
Legal Help in Franklin County
If you need help with a marriage or family law matter in Franklin County, several groups can assist. Pennsylvania Legal Aid at palegalaid.net serves residents who qualify based on income. The Pennsylvania Bar Association referral line at (800) 692-7375 can connect you with a family law attorney in the Chambersburg area.
The Pennsylvania State Archives is a top resource for historical records. Since the archives hold extensive Franklin County microfilm, a trip to Harrisburg is worth it for genealogy work. The Library of Congress guide to Pennsylvania vital records is another free resource for locating Franklin County marriage data.
Nearby Counties
Franklin County sits in south-central Pennsylvania along the Maryland border. If you are not sure which county holds your marriage record, check where the license was issued. Marriage records stay with the county that granted the license.