Lancaster County Marriage License Records
Lancaster County marriage records are kept by the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court at the courthouse in Lancaster. The office has issued marriage licenses since October 1885. Lancaster County is one of the most populated counties in Pennsylvania and sits in the heart of the state's Dutch Country region. If you need a marriage license, a certified copy of a past record, or help with a genealogical search, you can start your search at the county office or use the tools on this page to look up records.
Lancaster County Quick Facts
Lancaster County Register of Wills
The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court handles all marriage licenses in Lancaster County. The office is on the second floor of the courthouse at 50 North Duke Street in Lancaster. Both people who plan to marry must come to the office in person. You cannot send someone else in your place.
The Lancaster County office accepts online applications, which can save time during your visit. A three-day waiting period applies after you submit your application, as required by 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1303. Once the waiting period ends, the office will issue your license. You can call the marriage hotline at 717-295-3533 with questions about your application or to check on its status.
The Lancaster County Register of Wills provides marriage records from the courthouse in Lancaster.
Cell phones and smart watches must go in a locker in the lobby when you enter the courthouse. Plan to leave time for this step. Credit and debit cards are now accepted for all fees on the schedule.
| Office |
Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court 50 North Duke Street Lancaster, PA 17602 Marriage Hotline: 717-295-3533 Phone: 717-299-8243 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | lancastercountypa.gov |
How to Get a Lancaster County Marriage License
Both people must appear at the Lancaster County courthouse to apply. You will need a valid photo ID and your Social Security number. If you were married before, bring your certified divorce decree. That decree must be at least 30 days old. Widowed applicants need the date of death of their former spouse.
The application fee is $75.00 as of January 2026. This is a recent increase from the prior fee. Payment can be made by credit card, debit card, or cash. Once your application is complete, the three-day waiting period begins. After that period, your license is valid for 60 days anywhere in Pennsylvania under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1307.
Foreign documents must be translated into English before the office will accept them. If neither applicant speaks English, an independent adult translator must come to the appointment. Self-uniting licenses, sometimes called Quaker licenses, are available in Lancaster County with advance notice to the clerk.
Note: Internet ordinations are not accepted for officiants in Lancaster County, based on a local court decision.
Lancaster County Marriage Record Fees
Lancaster County updated its fee schedule effective January 1, 2026. The new rates apply to all applications filed on or after that date. Fees are non-refundable even if your license expires or your application is denied.
- Marriage license application: $75.00
- Certified copy of marriage certificate: $20.00
- JCP fee (included in filing): $41.25
- Search fee for unknown dates: Additional charges apply
You can pay by credit card, debit card, cash, or money order. The office now accepts card payments for all items on its fee schedule. If you need more than one certified copy, each additional copy costs the same rate. Call ahead to confirm the current fees before your visit to the Lancaster County courthouse.
Note: The JCP fee increased to $41.25 effective December 1, 2025, and is part of the total application cost.
Searching Lancaster County Marriage Records
Lancaster County has marriage license records dating back to October 1885. Online records are available from 1994 forward through the county website. For records before 1994, you must visit the courthouse or submit a written request by mail.
The Lancaster County official website offers a portal for record searches.
To search for a marriage record, you need at least one spouse's name and an approximate date. If you do not know the date, the office can search for you, but extra fees apply. In-person requests are often handled the same day. Mail requests may take longer depending on the volume of requests.
Marriage license applications in Pennsylvania are public records once filed and docketed, as stated in 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1309. Anyone can request to see them. You do not need to be one of the people named in the record.
Historical Marriage Records in Lancaster County
Lancaster County has a rich history of marriage records going back well before the 1885 licensing requirement. The county also holds limited marriage registrations from 1852 to 1855, though those records are incomplete.
FamilySearch has digitized Lancaster County marriage license dockets from 1885 to 1906 and an index from 1885 to 1936. These records are free to view with a FamilySearch account. Film numbers for specific docket books include 940784 for 1888-1889, 940787 for 1891-1892, and 940802 for 1903-1904. Registration of marriages from 1852 to 1855 can be found on FamilySearch Film 941246.
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds digitized microfilm copies of Lancaster County marriage records. On-site researchers can access these at the archives in Harrisburg. The Ancestry Pennsylvania Marriages 1852-1854 database also includes Lancaster County records from that brief early period of county-level vital records.
Before 1885, marriages in Lancaster County were not required to have a license. Church records, family bibles, and newspaper notices are the best sources for pre-1885 marriage information. The Pennsylvania State Archives can point you to the right record group for your search.
Lancaster County court records are also available through online databases.
What Lancaster County Marriage Records Show
A marriage license application in Lancaster County contains the full names and addresses of both applicants. It also lists each person's age, birthplace, and Social Security number. Parents' names are recorded. The application shows whether either person was previously married and, if so, how that marriage ended.
The returned marriage certificate adds the date and location of the ceremony, the name of the officiant, and the names of any witnesses. Certified copies from the Register of Wills carry an official seal and are accepted for legal purposes such as name changes and property transfers.
Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1301, no marriage in Pennsylvania may take place without a license. This means every legal marriage in Lancaster County since 1885 has a corresponding record on file at the courthouse.
Legal Help in Lancaster County
If you need legal help related to marriage records in Lancaster County, several organizations can assist. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal provides free access to court records. You can search by name or case number. The Pennsylvania Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (800) 692-7375. Pennsylvania Legal Aid at palegalaid.net offers free help to people who qualify based on income.
The Lancaster County courthouse also has resources for people who represent themselves. Staff at the Register of Wills office can answer questions about marriage records and the application process, though they cannot provide legal advice.
Cities in Lancaster County
Lancaster County includes the city of Lancaster, which serves as the county seat. All marriage licenses for residents of Lancaster County are issued at the Register of Wills office in the city of Lancaster.
Nearby Counties
Lancaster County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. If you are unsure which county handles your marriage license, check the address where you live. You must file in the correct county for the application to be processed.