Monroe County Marriage Records
Monroe County marriage records are managed by the Clerk of Orphans' Court and the Register of Wills at the courthouse in Stroudsburg. Located in the Pocono Mountains of eastern Pennsylvania, Monroe County sees a high volume of marriage license applications each year. Records go back to 1885. You can start a marriage application online, order certified copies, and search for existing records through the Stroudsburg courthouse. This page covers how to access marriage records in Monroe County.
Monroe County Quick Facts
Monroe County Clerk of Orphans' Court
The Clerk of Orphans' Court handles marriage licenses and related records in Monroe County. The office is at the Monroe County Courthouse, 610 Monroe Street in Stroudsburg. An appointment is required for marriage license applications. Call (570) 517-3385 to schedule your visit.
Both parties must appear in person to complete the license application. You can start the process online, but you still need to visit the office to finish it. Each person needs a government-issued photo ID. The license fee is $60.00, and the office accepts checks and credit cards.
The Monroe County official website provides details about departments and services available at the courthouse.
The Register of Wills is a separate office that handles probate and estate matters in Monroe County.
| Office |
Clerk of Orphans' Court Monroe County Courthouse 610 Monroe Street Stroudsburg, PA 18360 Phone: (570) 517-3385 |
|---|---|
| Register of Wills |
One Quaker Plaza, Room 106 Stroudsburg, PA 18360 Phone: (570) 517-3390 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
Note: Appointments are required for marriage license applications in Monroe County, so call ahead to avoid a wasted trip.
Searching for Marriage Records
You can search for Monroe County marriage records in person at the courthouse or by sending a written request. The office has in-person indexes that staff can use to look up records by name. Provide the names of both spouses and the approximate date of the marriage for the best results.
Monroe County also offers online certified copy ordering. This is a convenient option if you already know the details of the record you need. Visit the Clerk of Orphans' Court website to place your order. You will need to provide identifying details to locate the correct record.
Under Section 1301 of Title 23, every marriage in Pennsylvania must be preceded by a license issued by the clerk of the orphans' court in the county where either party lives. Monroe County follows this requirement. The Stroudsburg courthouse is the only place to get a Monroe County marriage license.
For court records related to marriage matters, you can also check the Monroe County court system. The Prothonotary office is at 610 Monroe Street, Room 303.
Online court record databases can provide a starting point for research into Monroe County public records.
Monroe County Marriage License Details
The marriage license fee in Monroe County is $60.00. This covers the license itself and the recording of the marriage after the ceremony. Under Section 1303 of Title 23, the license becomes effective the day after it is issued. It stays valid for 60 days from the issue date.
A license issued in Monroe County can be used anywhere in the state. Many couples who visit the Pocono Mountains choose to get their license in Monroe County and hold their ceremony at a local venue. After the wedding, the officiant returns the completed license to the Monroe County courthouse. The Clerk of Orphans' Court then records it as an official marriage record.
You can start your marriage application online before your appointment. This saves time at the office. However, both parties must still appear in person with valid photo IDs to complete the process. If either party cannot speak English, an independent translator must be present with a valid photo ID.
Historical Records in Monroe County
Monroe County was established in 1836 from parts of Northampton and Pike counties. Marriage license records at the courthouse begin in 1885. For marriages before that year, you will need to search church records, newspaper notices, or other local sources.
An important fact for genealogy researchers is that Monroe County is one of six Pennsylvania counties not included in the FamilySearch database of county marriages from 1885 to 1950. No microfilm copies were made of Monroe County marriage records for that project. This means online searches through FamilySearch will not return results for Monroe County marriages.
The Monroe County Historical Society and the Pennsylvania State Archives may have some related historical materials. Church records from the Stroudsburg area and the wider Pocono region can fill in gaps for pre-1885 marriages. Newspaper marriage notices are another source worth checking.
Marriage and divorce records in Monroe County are classified as public court records. Anyone can request to view them, though some restrictions may apply to certain details.
Note: Birth and death records from 1906 onward are held at the state level by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, not at the Monroe County courthouse.
Copies of Marriage Certificates
Certified copies of Monroe County marriage records can be obtained in person at the courthouse or through the online ordering system. You may need a certified copy for legal purposes such as changing your name, updating identification, or proving a marriage for insurance or estate matters.
The Recorder of Deeds office at 7th and Monroe Street in Stroudsburg handles property records that may be related to a marriage. If you need both a marriage record and a deed or property record, you can visit both offices in the same trip to the Stroudsburg courthouse area.
Under Section 1307 of Title 23, the clerk is required to maintain a register of all licenses issued. Every marriage license processed through the Monroe County office since 1885 should be on file.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health also issues marriage certificates for $20 per copy. These cover marriages from 1906 to the present. You can order by mail from the Division of Vital Records at PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103, or online through VitalChek. For the full license document with all details, contact the Monroe County courthouse directly.
Additional Resources
The Unified Judicial System Portal lets you search court records across Pennsylvania, including some Monroe County records. The Library of Congress Pennsylvania genealogy guide is another helpful starting point for research.
For questions about Monroe County marriage records, the Clerk of Orphans' Court at (570) 517-3385 is the best contact. The e-Docket system may also have some records available for online viewing. Check with the office for details on what is accessible electronically.
Under Section 1309 of Title 23, certain exceptions to the standard marriage license process may apply in special circumstances. The Monroe County Clerk of Orphans' Court can advise you on any unusual situations.
Nearby Counties
Monroe County is in the Pocono Mountains of eastern Pennsylvania. If you are not sure which county holds the marriage record you need, check where the license was issued. These neighboring counties may have the record.