Northampton County Marriage Records
Northampton County marriage records are maintained by the Register of Wills at the courthouse in Easton. This eastern Pennsylvania county sits along the Delaware River and has marriage license records from 1885 to the present. Northampton County also has rich historical records that go back much further through church collections. Whether you need a current certified copy or are researching historical marriage records in Northampton County, this page will guide you through the process.
Northampton County Quick Facts
Northampton County Register of Wills
The Register of Wills maintains all marriage records for Northampton County. This office issues new marriage licenses, records completed licenses after ceremonies, and provides certified copies. The office is at the Northampton County Courthouse in Easton, which sits in the far eastern corner of Pennsylvania where the Delaware River forms the border with New Jersey.
Northampton County also has an Orphans' Court that handles matters related to estates and adoptions. The marriage license function falls under the Register of Wills. Both parties must appear in person to apply for a new marriage license. Bring a valid photo ID.
The Northampton County Orphans' Court website provides information about court services and procedures.
Contact the office to confirm hours and current fees before visiting.
| Office |
Register of Wills Northampton County Courthouse Easton, PA Phone: Contact courthouse main line |
|---|---|
| Website | nccpa.org |
Searching for Marriage Records
You can search for Northampton County marriage records by visiting the courthouse in Easton or by submitting a formal request. Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, marriage records are public records that anyone can access. You do not have to be a party to the marriage to request a copy.
To search in person, visit the Register of Wills office. Staff can look up records by name. Provide the full names of both spouses and the approximate date of the marriage. For mail requests, include the same details along with payment. Copies cost $0.25 per page for standard paper copies and $5.00 per document for certified copies, plus any postage.
The Northampton County official website has information about all county departments and services.
Under Section 1301 of Title 23, a marriage license must be obtained before any marriage ceremony in Pennsylvania. Northampton County has issued licenses since 1885.
Electronic records sent by email have no charge. Records on CD or DVD cost $1.00 per disc. Large format documents are charged at actual cost.
Note: Criminal history searches through Northampton County cost $10.00 per search and are separate from marriage record requests.
Historical Marriage Records
Northampton County was formed in 1751 from Bucks County. It is one of the older counties in Pennsylvania and has a wealth of historical records. Civil marriage license records begin in 1885. County birth and death records cover 1893 to 1905.
Before 1885, church records are the main source for Northampton County marriages. The area has an exceptionally rich collection of church marriage records. The Bethlehem Moravian congregation has records dating back to 1741. The First Presbyterian Church in Easton has historical registers. The Salem Lutheran and Reformed Congregations of Moore Township have records from 1774 to 1840 that include over 17,000 entries of baptisms, marriages, and deaths.
Other historical church record collections for Northampton County include Hecktown baptisms and marriages from 1758 to 1806. The Lutherans from the Salem congregation are now part of Holy Cross Lutheran at Bushkill Center. The Reformed congregation became Salem United Church of Christ near Bath. These records are essential for pre-civil registration research in Northampton County.
Isaac Hicks issued marriage licenses in Northampton County from 1772 to 1774 and again from 1824 to 1836. Records of those licenses are available through Ancestry. The Pennsylvania State Archives also holds related materials from the 1852 to 1854 statewide registration period.
FamilySearch has the Pennsylvania County Marriages collection from 1885 to 1950, which includes Northampton County records with indexes and images. The Ancestry Pennsylvania marriages collection from 1852 to 1854 may also include some Northampton County entries.
Marriage License Process
To get a marriage license in Northampton County, both parties must visit the Register of Wills office. Each person needs a valid government-issued photo ID. Under Section 1303 of Title 23, the license is not valid until three days after issuance. It then stays good for 60 days.
A license issued in Northampton County can be used anywhere in Pennsylvania. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the Northampton County courthouse. The Register of Wills records it as an official marriage record. This record then becomes part of the permanent public file in Northampton County.
Contact the Register of Wills for current license fees. Fees in Pennsylvania typically include a county portion, a state writ tax, and contributions to domestic violence and children's funds.
Note: Newspaper marriage notices from Northampton County have been preserved for many periods and can supplement official records for historical research.
Northampton County Court Records
Northampton County court records are available through several channels. The Unified Judicial System Portal lets you search court records across Pennsylvania. This can help locate marriage-related court filings in Northampton County.
Online databases that compile Pennsylvania court records can also be useful for Northampton County research. These tools aggregate information from public sources and can serve as a starting point.
Under Section 1307 of Title 23, the clerk must keep a register of all marriage licenses issued. Northampton County has followed this requirement since 1885. The records are governed by the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, which means they are generally accessible to the public.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health issues state marriage certificates for $20 per copy for marriages from 1906 onward. Order from the Division of Vital Records at PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. For the full license document with all details, contact the Northampton County Register of Wills. The CDC guide for Pennsylvania vital records has additional information about where to write for different record types.
Research Resources
The Library of Congress Pennsylvania genealogy guide is a helpful reference for Northampton County research. The State Archives vital statistics page details what records are available on microfilm.
For church record research in Northampton County, the Bethlehem Moravian archives are particularly extensive. The area around Bethlehem, Easton, and the surrounding townships has some of the best-preserved church records in the state. These records are invaluable for tracing marriages before the 1885 civil licensing requirement.
Under Section 1309 of Title 23, certain exceptions to the standard license process may apply. The Northampton County Register of Wills can help with any special circumstances.
Cities in Northampton County
Northampton County includes several cities and boroughs. Marriage licenses issued in Northampton County cover all communities within the county. Bethlehem, which straddles Northampton and Lehigh counties, is one of the larger cities in the area.
Residents of Easton, Bethlehem, Bangor, Nazareth, and other Northampton County communities obtain their marriage licenses from the Register of Wills in Easton.
Nearby Counties
Northampton County is in far eastern Pennsylvania along the Delaware River. If a marriage was recorded in a nearby county, you will need to contact that county for the record.