Perry County Marriage License Records

Perry County marriage records are maintained at the courthouse in New Bloomfield. The county was formed on March 22, 1820, from Cumberland County and named for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. Marriage license records in Perry County date back to 1885, when Pennsylvania began requiring counties to issue licenses. You can search these records in person at the courthouse or start your search by phone. The office staff can help you find both old and recent marriage records for Perry County residents and those who applied here.

Perry County Marriage Records Office

The Perry County Courthouse in New Bloomfield is where all marriage license records are kept. The office handles new license applications, stores old records, and provides copies. Both people must appear in person to apply for a new license. Staff can search for records by name or date and will make copies while you wait.

You can reach the Perry County Courthouse at 2 East Main Street in New Bloomfield. Call ahead to check hours and find out what you need to bring. Under Section 1301 of Title 23, no marriage in Pennsylvania may take place without a license. Perry County follows all state rules for issuing these licenses and keeping the records on file.

The Perry County official website provides general information about county offices and services. Check this site for current hours, phone numbers, and office locations before you visit New Bloomfield.

Searching Perry County Marriage Records

There are several ways to find marriage records from Perry County. In-person visits to the courthouse in New Bloomfield let you search records and get copies the same day. You can also send a request by mail if you cannot travel to the county seat. For older records, online tools can help you locate what you need before contacting the office.

Under Section 1309 of Title 23, marriage license applications in Pennsylvania are public records. Anyone can request to see them. You do not have to be named on the license. Bring your ID and whatever details you know about the marriage, such as the full names and an approximate year.

The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us allows searches by name or case number across all counties.

For mail requests, send a letter to the Perry County Courthouse at 2 East Main Street, New Bloomfield, PA 17068. Include the names of both spouses, the approximate date, and a check for the copy fee. Plain copies work well for family research. Certified copies are needed for most legal uses in Perry County.

Note: The three-day waiting period required by Pennsylvania law begins on the day both applicants sign and approve the application at the Perry County office.

Perry County Marriage License Rules

Pennsylvania law sets the rules for getting a marriage license, and Perry County follows all of them. Both people must go to the courthouse in New Bloomfield together. Each person needs a valid photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport. A Social Security card is also required. If either person was married before, a certified divorce decree or death certificate must be provided.

Both applicants must be at least 18. Under Section 1303 of Title 23, there is a three-day waiting period after the application is filed. The license cannot be issued before the third day. Once it is issued, the license stays valid for 60 days under Section 1307 and can be used anywhere in the state.

Perry County also handles self-uniting marriage licenses. These do not need an officiant but must have two witnesses. After the ceremony, the officiant or witnesses must return the certificate to Perry County within 10 days. A late return brings a $50 penalty.

Historical Marriage Records in Perry County

Perry County has a rich set of historical marriage records with specific coverage that varies by time period. Civil marriage license records begin in 1885. Before that, most marriages were recorded only by churches. Understanding what exists for each era helps you plan a more focused search.

• Before 1852: Church registers and Bible records only
• August 1852 to March 1855: Some records at the courthouse
• 1855 to 1885: Church registers are the main source
• After October 1885: Full civil records at the courthouse
• No bride index until 1894

There is no known record of any courthouse fire or major disaster in Perry County, so the historical files are well preserved. The Perry County PAGenWeb site has an index of newspaper marriages from 1820 to 1870 for select surnames. This volunteer-run project also lists church register holdings and Bible records. Browsing their online indexes is free.

The USGenWeb Archives project at usgwarchives.net has transcribed Perry County marriage records from 1885 to 1887 and 1890 to 1991. These are volunteer-transcribed text files. They give names, dates, and other details from the original dockets.

Note: Most church registers in Perry County have not been indexed. If you are looking for a pre-1885 marriage, you may need to know the family's church affiliation to locate the right record.

Perry County Marriage Record Research

FamilySearch holds several collections that include Perry County. The Pennsylvania County Marriages, 1885-1950 collection is free to search and includes registers, affidavits, and license copies. A separate index covers 1852 to 1854, when the state briefly required county-level recording. Perry County is included in both sets.

FamilySearch also has a batch number (M523902) for the 1885 Perry County Marriage Index. This can help narrow your search to a specific docket entry. The Pennsylvania State Archives holds digitized microfilm of some Perry County records that you can view in person at their Harrisburg location.

Mother's maiden names do not appear in Perry County marriage records until 1913. For earlier records, you may need to cross-reference with birth records or church files. The Perry Historians Library in New Bloomfield has microfilm that can fill some gaps for family researchers.

What Perry County Marriage Records Show

A marriage record from Perry County lists key facts about both people who applied. The license application includes full names, ages, dates of birth, and places of residence. It also shows Social Security numbers, though these may be hidden on public copies. Parents' names and birthplaces are part of the file as well.

The returned certificate shows the date and place of the ceremony. It names the officiant or, for self-uniting licenses, the witnesses. Perry County marriage records also note prior marriages for each person.

Note: Before 1913, Perry County records do not include mothers' maiden names. This can make it harder to trace female lines in older records.

Nearby Counties

Perry County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. Marriage records are filed where the license was issued, not where the ceremony took place. If you are unsure which county holds the record, check where the couple applied.

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