Luzerne County Marriage License Records
Luzerne County marriage records are maintained by the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court. The main office is in Wilkes-Barre, with a second location in Hazleton. Marriage licenses have been issued in Luzerne County since October 1885. The county sits in northeastern Pennsylvania and has more than 325,000 residents. Use the search tools on this page to find marriage records, or contact the office to apply for a license or request a certified copy.
Luzerne County Quick Facts
Luzerne County Register of Wills
The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court issues marriage licenses and stores marriage records in Luzerne County. The main office is at 200 North River Street in Wilkes-Barre, in the annex building across from the main courthouse. A second location at the Hazleton Annex in Hazleton City Hall is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays only.
The Luzerne County Register of Wills website has details about the license process and online applications.
Luzerne County offers an online application system. You fill out your application on the county website and receive a confirmation email with a 6-digit number and barcode. Print this confirmation and bring it when you visit the office. Both people must still appear in person with required documents. The online step saves time at the counter.
Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1301, no marriage in Pennsylvania can take place without a license. The Luzerne County Register of Wills is the only office that issues licenses for marriages filed in this county.
| Main Office |
Register of Wills 200 North River Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 Phone: 570-825-1668 Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (must arrive by 3:30 PM for in-office application, 4:00 PM with online confirmation) |
|---|---|
| Hazleton Annex |
Hazleton City Hall 40 N. Church Street, Hazleton Tuesday & Thursday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (must arrive by 2:00 PM) Payment: Money order or cashier's check only |
How to Get a Luzerne County Marriage License
Start by completing the online application on the Luzerne County website. After you submit it, you will receive an email with a 6-digit confirmation number and barcode. Print this out. Then visit the Wilkes-Barre or Hazleton office with your confirmation, photo ID, and Social Security card.
The marriage license fee is $50.00. At the Wilkes-Barre office, you can pay with cash, money order, or cashier's check. At the Hazleton Annex, only money orders or cashier's checks are accepted. No cash is taken at the Hazleton location.
The three-day waiting period set by 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1303 begins when you file your application. After that period, the license becomes valid for 60 days. It can be used anywhere in Pennsylvania. Virtual appointments may be available by calling the Wilkes-Barre office.
If either applicant does not speak English, a translator must be present. If either person was married before, bring a certified divorce decree or death certificate. Luzerne County also has a process for inmates who wish to apply for a marriage license. Call the office for details.
Note: The Hazleton Annex does not accept cash. Bring a money order or cashier's check if you plan to apply at that location.
Searching Luzerne County Marriage Records
Luzerne County has a strong set of online tools for searching older marriage records. The IQS Infodex system at searchiqs.com/paluze lets you search marriage license applications from October 1885 through August 2004. This system is free to use. Log in as a guest, click the Infodex tab, and select the volume for the date range you want.
The Luzerne County website also has information about the county and its offices.
For records after 2004, the Landex system provides access. Landex Remote requires a credit card account and charges $0.10 per minute plus $0.15 per copy. The Landex Webstore offers free index searching with a fee per document download. Both systems cover Luzerne County records filed from August 1993 to the present.
To use the IQS system for Luzerne County marriage records, follow these steps:
- Log in as Guest at the IQS website
- Click the Infodex tab
- At Select Volume, click the blue arrows
- Scroll to Marriage Volumes
- Pick the date range you want
- Find the license number and click Go to Document
The application date may differ from the marriage date because the license is valid for 60 days. Keep this in mind when searching. Certified copies of Luzerne County marriage records cost $25.00. If the date is unknown, the office charges a $30.00 search fee per marriage.
Marriage license applications are public records under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1309. Anyone can search for and view these records in Luzerne County.
Historical Marriage Records in Luzerne County
Luzerne County has some of the most accessible historical marriage records in Pennsylvania. The IQS system covers marriage license volumes 1 through 286, spanning from 1885 to 2004. FamilySearch has digitized marriage license dockets from 1885 to 1950 as part of its Pennsylvania County Marriages collection.
Luzerne County court records are also available through outside database services.
For the 1852 to 1854 period, Luzerne County marriage returns are held at the Pennsylvania State Archives and are also available on FamilySearch. These early records were kept by the Register of Wills and sent to the state.
The Northeast Pennsylvania Genealogical Society (NEPGS) at nepgs.com is another valuable resource for Luzerne County marriage research. They have detailed guides on how to access county records, including marriage license dockets, deed records, and estate files. The Historical Society of Pennsylvania also holds manuscript collections related to Luzerne County.
Before 1885, marriages in Luzerne County did not require a license. Church records, newspaper notices, and family records are the best sources for this earlier period. The State Archives vital statistics page can help guide your research.
What Luzerne County Marriage Records Show
Marriage records in Luzerne County include the full names and addresses of both applicants. Each person's age, birthplace, and occupation are listed. Parents' names and residences appear on the application. Any prior marriages and how they ended are also recorded.
The completed marriage certificate adds the date, time, and location of the ceremony. It includes the name of the officiant and witness information. Under 23 Pa.C.S. Section 1307, the license is issued with an original and a duplicate certificate. The officiant returns the completed certificate to the Register of Wills in Luzerne County, where it becomes a permanent public record.
Legal Help in Luzerne County
Several resources can help people with marriage record needs in Luzerne County. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal provides free access to court docket sheets. Pennsylvania Legal Aid at palegalaid.net offers free legal help to those who qualify. The Pennsylvania Bar Association lawyer referral service at (800) 692-7375 can connect you with a family law attorney in the Luzerne County area.
The Luzerne County Register of Wills staff can answer questions about the marriage license process and record searches. They can be reached at 570-825-1668. For civil court matters, the Prothonotary is a separate office in Luzerne County.
Note: The Register of Wills handles marriage records while the Prothonotary handles divorce records in Luzerne County. Contact the right office for the type of record you need.
Nearby Counties
Luzerne County is in northeastern Pennsylvania. If you are not sure which county your address falls in, verify before applying for a marriage license. You should file in the county where you wish to apply.