Lebanon County Marriage Record Search

Lebanon County marriage records are held by the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court at the Municipal Building in Lebanon. The county has maintained marriage license records since 1885. Lebanon County sits in south-central Pennsylvania between Harrisburg and Reading. You can search for marriage records, apply for a new license, or request a certified copy by contacting the Register of Wills. Start your search here using the tools on this page.

Lebanon County Register of Wills

The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court issues marriage licenses and keeps marriage records in Lebanon County. The office is in Room 102 of the Municipal Building at 400 South 8th Street in Lebanon. Both people who plan to marry must visit the office in person.

The Lebanon County Register of Wills website provides details about the marriage license process.

Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1301, a marriage license is required before any marriage can be performed in Pennsylvania. The Lebanon County office handles all license applications for residents and visitors who wish to marry here. Staff can help you understand what forms and documents you need to complete the process.

Applying for a Lebanon County Marriage License

Both applicants must appear at the Register of Wills office in Lebanon County. You will each need a valid photo ID. Bring your Social Security card as well. If either person was married before, documentation of how that marriage ended is required. A certified divorce decree or death certificate will be needed.

A three-day waiting period applies after your application is filed, as set by 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1303. Both applicants must be 18 years old or older. The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. It can be used anywhere in Pennsylvania.

Call the marriage license line at 717-228-4414 to confirm the current fee. The license fee is in the range of $40 to $60 but may vary. Always verify before your visit to the Lebanon County office.

Note: Lebanon County requires documentation of all prior marriages, so bring complete records if you have been married more than once.

Searching Marriage Records in Lebanon County

Lebanon County keeps marriage license records from 1885 to the present day. The office has an in-house index that staff can search by name and date. There is no direct online database for Lebanon County marriage records, so you must visit the office or contact them by phone or mail.

Certified copies of marriage certificates are available for a fee. You can request them in person or by mail. Include both names, the date of the marriage, and payment with your request. Response times for mail requests depend on current volume.

The Lebanon County official website has information about county offices and services.

Marriage license applications in Pennsylvania are filed as public records under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1309. Anyone may request to view these records. You do not need to be a party to the marriage.

The Recorder of Deeds in Lebanon County is in Room 103 at the same building, and the Prothonotary is in Room 104. These offices handle property records and civil court records that may relate to your search.

Historical Marriage Records

Lebanon County has marriage license records from 1885 to the present. One important gap to know about: Lebanon County has no marriage returns from the 1852 to 1855 period. The State Archives has confirmed that Lebanon is one of the counties that did not send in returns during that brief early recording effort.

FamilySearch has digitized some Lebanon County marriage records from 1885 to 1949 on microfilm. Film numbers include 21474 for volume 29 covering 1920-1921, 21480 for volume 35 covering 1929-1930, and 21493 for volume 48 covering 1946-1947. These records are free to view with a FamilySearch account at a Family History Center.

The Lebanon County Register of Wills office also holds vital records from 1893 to 1905. Birth and death records from 1906 onward are held by the state. For marriages before 1885, look to church records, newspaper notices, and family documents. The Pennsylvania State Archives vital statistics page has more details about what county records are available on microfilm.

Lebanon County court records can be searched through outside record portals.

Note: Because Lebanon County has no 1852-1855 marriage returns, researchers looking for records from that period should check church records and newspaper archives instead.

What Lebanon County Marriage Records Show

Marriage records in Lebanon County include the full names and addresses of both people. Ages, birthplaces, and occupations are listed. Parents' names appear as well. The record also notes any prior marriages and how they ended.

The completed certificate, returned after the ceremony, adds the date and place of the marriage, the officiant's name, and witness names. Certified copies from the Lebanon County Register of Wills carry an official seal. These are accepted for legal purposes such as name changes, insurance claims, and property transfers. Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1307, each license is issued with an original and a duplicate certificate.

Legal Help in Lebanon County

Several resources are available for people who need help with marriage records or family law matters in Lebanon County. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal lets you search court records for free. You can look up cases by name or case number across all Pennsylvania counties.

Pennsylvania Legal Aid at palegalaid.net provides free legal help based on income. The Pennsylvania Bar Association lawyer referral service at (800) 692-7375 can match you with a family law attorney in the Lebanon County area. Staff at the Register of Wills can answer procedural questions about marriage records in Lebanon County but cannot give legal advice.

Nearby Counties

Lebanon County is bordered by several other counties in south-central Pennsylvania. Make sure you apply for a marriage license in the county where you wish to file.

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