Marriage Records for Huntingdon County
Huntingdon County marriage records are held by the Register and Recorder at the county courthouse in Huntingdon. The county has marriage records from 1852 and continuous records from 1885 to today. Whether you need a certified copy of a recent marriage license or are tracing family history through older dockets, this page walks you through the process. Huntingdon County sits in central Pennsylvania and was one of the original counties in the state. The Register and Recorder handles all marriage license applications, copies, and searches for records in Huntingdon County.
Huntingdon County Quick Facts
Huntingdon County Register and Recorder
The Register and Recorder office in Huntingdon County handles marriage licenses, deeds, wills, and other vital records. Virginia Cooper serves as the current Register and Recorder. The office is in the courthouse at 223 Penn Street in Huntingdon.
You can contact the office by phone at (814) 643-2740, option 2, or by fax at (814) 643-6849. The email address is register_recorder@huntingdoncounty.net. Staff can answer questions about marriage records, fees, and the application process in Huntingdon County.
As required by 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1301, all marriages in Pennsylvania require a license. Huntingdon County has issued marriage licenses since 1885. The office also holds birth records from 1894 to 1905 and death records from the same period.
| Office |
Register and Recorder Huntingdon County Courthouse 223 Penn Street Huntingdon, PA 16652 Phone: (814) 643-2740, option 2 Fax: (814) 643-6849 Email: register_recorder@huntingdoncounty.net |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
How to Find Marriage Records in Huntingdon County
There are several ways to look up marriage records in Huntingdon County. The approach depends on the age of the record and whether you need a certified copy or just the information.
For records from 1885 to the present, contact the Register and Recorder at the Huntingdon County Courthouse. You can visit in person, call, or send a mail request. Provide the full names of both spouses and the approximate year of the marriage. The office can search their dockets and issue copies.
For older records, the Pennsylvania State Archives holds Huntingdon County marriage licenses and indexes from 1885 to 1907 on microfilm. The State Archives guide for Huntingdon County lists 14 volumes of marriage licenses spanning 1885 to 1907, plus marriage records from 1852 to 1854. These are available as Films 7911 through 7922.
FamilySearch also has a large set of Huntingdon County records online. The FamilySearch genealogy guide for Huntingdon County covers marriage license dockets from 1885 to 1907 and marriage records from 1907 to 1951. These records are free to search with a FamilySearch account.
Huntingdon County Historical Marriage Records
Huntingdon County has a deep set of historical records. The county dates back to the colonial era, and while marriage license requirements only started in 1885, earlier records do exist.
The State Archives holds Huntingdon County marriage records from 1852 to 1854. These were part of a brief state law that required counties to register vital events. The records are on Film 7922 at the State Archives. Birth records from 1852 to 1853 are on the same film, which can help connect families.
The FamilySearch collection for Huntingdon County includes these records:
- Marriage License Dockets from 1885 to 1907
- Marriages and Deaths from 1852 to 1854
- Marriage Indexes for various years
- Marriage Records from 1907 to 1951
A screenshot of the Huntingdon County court records page is shown below.
This page provides contact details and directions for requesting Huntingdon County marriage records.
Note: The 1852 to 1854 records are not complete for all families. Many marriages during that short period were not registered in Huntingdon County.
Applying for a Marriage License
To apply for a marriage license in Huntingdon County, both parties must appear in person at the Register and Recorder office. Bring a valid photo ID, your Social Security number, and any documents showing a prior marriage has ended.
Pennsylvania law sets a three-day waiting period under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1303. You cannot pick up your license until the third day after you apply. The license is then good for 60 days in any county in Pennsylvania, per 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1307.
No blood test is required. Pennsylvania does not require that you live in Huntingdon County or even in the state. Common law marriage is not recognized for new unions after January 1, 2005. Cousin marriages are not allowed.
After the wedding, the officiant returns the signed license to the Huntingdon County Register and Recorder. Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1309, the application and returned certificate become public records.
Related Vital Records in Huntingdon County
The Register and Recorder in Huntingdon County also holds other vital records that may help your search. Birth records from 1894 to 1905 and death records from the same period are on file. These can help verify identities or confirm family connections when a marriage record alone is not enough.
For records after 1906, birth and death certificates are held by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records in New Castle. Marriage records remain at the county level in Huntingdon County.
The UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us also provides access to court docket sheets for Huntingdon County. While this portal focuses on court cases rather than marriage records, it can help locate related legal proceedings.
The UJS Portal covers all 67 Pennsylvania counties, including Huntingdon County.
Note: The Pennsylvania State Archives does not search Huntingdon County records for you. You must visit in person or use online copies through FamilySearch.
Nearby Counties
Huntingdon County borders several other counties in central Pennsylvania. If you cannot find a marriage record here, the couple may have applied in a nearby county instead.