Potter County Marriage License Records
Potter County marriage records are maintained at the courthouse in Coudersport. The county was formed on March 26, 1804, from Lycoming County and named for General James Potter of the Continental Army. Located in north-central Pennsylvania, Potter County has kept civil marriage license records since 1885. You can search these records at the courthouse or request copies by mail. Online databases also cover some Potter County marriages going back to 1845, making this one of the better-documented rural counties in the state.
Potter County Quick Facts
Potter County Courthouse Records
The Potter County Courthouse at 1 East Second Street in Coudersport is where all marriage license records are stored. The Clerk of Courts handles marriage licenses in Potter County. Staff can help you apply for a new license, search old records, and get copies. Both people must come to the courthouse together to apply for a new license.
Under Section 1301 of Title 23, no marriage in Pennsylvania may happen without a license. Potter County follows all state rules for issuing licenses and keeping records on file. Call the courthouse before you visit to confirm hours and what to bring.
The Potter County official website has general information about county offices, including phone numbers and directions to the courthouse in Coudersport.
| Office |
Potter County Courthouse 1 East Second Street Coudersport, PA 16915 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | pottercountypa.net |
Searching Potter County Marriage Records
You can search for Potter County marriage records in person at the Coudersport courthouse. Bring your ID and as much detail as you have about the marriage. Staff can search by name or year. Plain copies are good for family research. Certified copies are needed for legal uses such as name changes or property transfers.
Under Section 1309 of Title 23, marriage license applications are public records. Anyone can request a copy from Potter County. You do not need to be a party to the license.
For mail requests, send a letter to the Potter County Courthouse at 1 East Second Street, Coudersport, PA 16915. Include both spouses' names, the approximate date, and payment for the copy fee. The staff will search and mail back the results.
The UJS portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us lets you look up court cases by name across all Pennsylvania counties, including Potter County.
Note: Potter County was formed in 1804 but not organized until 1836. Records from the earliest decades are sparse and may require checking neighboring county files.
Potter County Marriage License Rules
Both applicants must appear at the Potter County Courthouse in Coudersport. Each person needs a valid photo ID and a Social Security card. If either person was married before, a certified divorce decree or death certificate for the former spouse is required. Both people must be at least 18.
Pennsylvania law includes a three-day waiting period after the application is filed. The license cannot be issued before the third day. Once issued, it is valid for 60 days under Section 1307. You can use it anywhere in the state. The officiant or witnesses must return the completed certificate to Potter County within 10 days of the ceremony.
Self-uniting licenses are available in Potter County as well. These require two witnesses but no officiant.
Historical Marriage Records in Potter County
Potter County has well-preserved historical marriage records. There is no known courthouse fire or disaster, so the files are intact from the start of civil recording in 1885. The county also holds birth and death records from 1893 to 1905. For marriages before 1885, church records and the 1852 to 1854 state returns are the main sources.
The Ancestry Pennsylvania County Marriage Records collection includes Potter County entries from 1845 to 1963. This is one of only eight Pennsylvania counties in this specific database. Records show names of bride and groom, marriage place, gender, race, age, date of birth, parents' names, and certificate number. Pennsylvania residents can access some Ancestry collections for free through the State Archives partnership.
FamilySearch has marriage license dockets from Potter County covering 1885 to 1907 on microfilm. Each docket volume includes its own index. You can view the digital versions through the FamilySearch catalog. The 1893 to 1906 Coudersport indexes are also available at FamilySearch.
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds additional microfilm of Potter County records. On-site researchers in Harrisburg can access these films. The Archives staff does not search records by mail.
Note: Potter County is one of only eight counties included in the Ancestry Pennsylvania County Marriage Records 1845-1963 collection, making it an unusually rich online resource for a rural county.
What Potter County Marriage Records Show
Marriage records from Potter County list key facts about both people. The license application includes full names, ages, dates of birth, and places of residence. Parents' names and birthplaces appear as well. The returned certificate shows the date and place of the ceremony, the officiant's name, and any prior marriage history.
Records from different decades contain different levels of detail. Older dockets may include fewer fields. Modern records tend to be more complete. Social Security numbers appear on originals but are usually hidden on public copies from Potter County.
- Names and ages of both spouses
- Date and place of the ceremony
- Parents' names for each person
- Certificate number and book reference
- Name of the officiant
Nearby Counties
Potter County sits in the north-central part of Pennsylvania. Marriage records are filed in the county where the couple applied. If you are unsure which county holds the record, check where the license was issued.