Schuylkill County Marriage Records
Schuylkill County marriage records are kept at the courthouse in Pottsville. Formed in 1811 from parts of Berks and Northampton Counties, Schuylkill County offers strong online access to its marriage dockets. The Register of Wills holds marriage licenses and indexes from 1885 to the present. The county Archives has older dockets from 1885 through May 1969 available through an online lookup tool. You can start your search from home and then request copies from the Pottsville office.
Schuylkill County Quick Facts
Schuylkill County Register of Wills
The Register of Wills in Schuylkill County maintains all marriage licenses and indexes from 1885 to the present. The office is located at the courthouse at 401 North 2nd Street in Pottsville. Staff handle new license applications, store records, and provide copies. Both people must come to the courthouse together to apply for a new marriage license.
You can reach the Schuylkill County Register of Wills at (570) 628-1382. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Under Section 1301 of Title 23, every marriage in Pennsylvania requires a license. Schuylkill County follows all state rules for issuing licenses and filing the completed records.
The Schuylkill County official website provides information about county offices, services, and contact details. Check this site for current hours before visiting the Pottsville courthouse.
| Office |
Schuylkill County Register of Wills 401 N. 2nd Street Pottsville, PA 17901 Phone: (570) 628-1382 |
|---|---|
| Archives |
Schuylkill County Archives Phone: (570) 628-1145 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
Searching Schuylkill Marriage Records Online
Schuylkill County stands out for its online access to marriage dockets. The county Archives provides a free searchable database of marriage records from 1885 through May 1969. You can search by male or female last name. Results include the book number and time period, and some entries have exact dates. This lets you pinpoint a record before requesting a copy.
A second online tool from the Schuylkill County Register of Wills provides direct access to marriage docket entries. You can search by name, date range, or docket number. This tool covers the same 1885 to 1969 period with complete docket information available for viewing.
Under Section 1309 of Title 23, marriage license applications in Pennsylvania are public records. Anyone can request to see them. You do not need to be named on the license to search or get copies from Schuylkill County.
The UJS portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us allows searches by name or case number across all Pennsylvania counties.
Note: For Schuylkill County marriage records after May 1969, contact the Register of Wills directly at (570) 628-1382. The online docket lookup covers only the earlier period.
Schuylkill County Marriage License Rules
Both people must appear at the Schuylkill County Courthouse in Pottsville to apply. Each person needs a valid photo ID and a Social Security card. If either person was married before, bring a certified divorce decree or death certificate for the former spouse. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old.
After the application is filed, there is a three-day waiting period before the license can be issued. Once issued, the Schuylkill County license is valid for 60 days under Section 1307 and can be used anywhere in Pennsylvania. After the ceremony, the officiant or witnesses must return the completed certificate to the county office within 10 days.
Schuylkill County also issues self-uniting licenses. These need two witnesses instead of an officiant. The same waiting period and return deadlines apply.
Historical Marriage Records in Schuylkill County
Schuylkill County has a deep set of historical records. The Archives holds records from multiple county departments going back to before the county was even founded in 1811. Marriage dockets from 1885 through May 1969 are at the Archives, and the Register of Wills holds licenses and indexes from 1885 to the present. Between these two offices, the county has thorough coverage.
The Schuylkill County Historical Society at 305 North Centre Street in Pottsville holds marriage records from 1885 to 1950. The society is open Wednesday from 1:30 to 6:00 PM, Thursday and Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. A research fee of $5.00 per day applies. They also hold church records and other materials useful for family history work in Schuylkill County.
The 1852 to 1854 Pennsylvania marriage returns include Schuylkill County. These can be searched through Ancestry, which Pennsylvania residents can access for free through the State Archives partnership. The Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg holds additional microfilm of Schuylkill County records.
A repository guide from the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania lists all the places in Schuylkill County where records are held. It covers the Archives, Register of Wills, Historical Society, and other local sources. About 90 percent of Catholic church records have been digitized and are at the Northeastern Pennsylvania Genealogical Society.
Note: Delayed birth records from 1860 to 1905, recorded between 1945 and 1956, are held at the Schuylkill County Archives and can help fill gaps in early vital records research.
What Schuylkill County Marriage Records Show
A marriage record from Schuylkill County includes details about both applicants. The license application lists full names, ages, dates of birth, and residences. Parents' names and birthplaces appear as well. The returned certificate shows the date and place of the ceremony and the name of the officiant.
Older docket entries from the Archives period may have fewer details than modern records. The online lookup tool shows book numbers and approximate time periods, which is enough to request the full record from the appropriate office in Schuylkill County.
- Full names of both spouses
- Dates of birth and ages
- Parents' names and birthplaces
- Date and place of the ceremony
- Docket book number and page
Schuylkill County Genealogy Resources
The FamilySearch Pennsylvania County Marriages collection covers 1885 to 1950 and includes Schuylkill County records. This free collection has registers, affidavits, and license copies you can browse from home. Ancestry has the 1852 to 1854 state returns and additional marriage records.
The Schuylkill County Historical Society is a strong local resource. Beyond marriage records, they hold census data, church records, and thousands of obituaries. The Library of Congress guide to Pennsylvania vital records links to several statewide databases that include Schuylkill County entries.
For in-person research, the Archives at the courthouse in Pottsville is the best starting point. The staff can direct you to the right records and explain what is available for your time period. Tax assessment records from 1809 are also at the Archives and can help place families in specific Schuylkill County townships.
Nearby Counties
Schuylkill County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. Marriage records are filed where the license was issued, not where the ceremony took place. Check where the couple applied if you are unsure which county holds the record.