Marriage Records for Tioga County
Tioga County marriage records are held at the courthouse in Wellsboro, the county seat. Tioga County was formed in 1804 from parts of Lycoming County. The name comes from a Native American word that means "the forks of a stream," honoring the Tioga River. Wellsboro sits just 12 miles east of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, one of the state's most popular natural landmarks. If you are looking for a marriage license or certificate from Tioga County, the Register and Recorder's office and the Prothonotary's office are your two main contacts.
Tioga County Quick Facts
Tioga County Courthouse Records
The Tioga County Courthouse at 116 Main Street in Wellsboro houses both the Prothonotary and the Register and Recorder offices. The Register and Recorder, Clerk of Orphans' Court handles marriage licenses and estate records. Keriane Chaborek serves in this role. The Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts, Heather Lundgren, handles all Court of Common Pleas records.
Wellsboro is known for its Victorian architecture, tree-lined streets, and old-fashioned gas lights. The town has a charm that draws visitors from across the state. If you plan to visit the courthouse for marriage records, you can combine your trip with a stop at the nearby Pennsylvania Grand Canyon or one of the seven lakes in the county.
Marriage records in Tioga County go back to 1885. Court and land records extend even further, with some dating to 1842. The office is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. In-person visits are the primary way to search for records, though mail requests are also accepted with proper fees.
Under Section 1301 of Title 23, every Pennsylvania county must keep records of all marriage licenses issued. Tioga County has done so since 1885.
| Marriage Licenses |
Register & Recorder, Clerk of Orphans' Court Keriane Chaborek 116 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901 Phone: 570-724-9260 |
|---|---|
| Court Records |
Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts Heather Lundgren 116 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901 Phone: 570-724-9281 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
How to Search Tioga County Records
Tioga County does not offer a public online database for marriage records. You can search by visiting the courthouse in Wellsboro or by sending a written request. Phone calls to the Register and Recorder at 570-724-9260 can help you get started, but document requests cannot be handled over the phone.
When you request a marriage record, provide the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the marriage. This helps staff locate the record faster. If you have a case number or other identifying detail, include that as well.
The statewide UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us lets you search court records across all Pennsylvania counties, including Tioga County. This tool is useful for finding court case information, though it may not include older marriage records. For complete marriage records, contact the Register and Recorder's office directly.
Note: Phone requests are for information only in Tioga County. You must visit in person or mail a written request to get copies of marriage records.
Tioga County Marriage License Process
To get a marriage license in Tioga County, both parties must appear together at the Register and Recorder's office in Wellsboro. Under Section 1303 of Title 23, both applicants must be present, provide identification, and sign the application.
Standard Pennsylvania requirements apply in Tioga County. Both parties must be at least 18 years old. You need a valid photo ID and your Social Security number. If either person was married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate. After you apply, there is a three-day waiting period. The license is then valid for 60 days and can be used anywhere in Pennsylvania.
Contact the office at 570-724-9260 for the current fee and to confirm what forms of payment they accept. Standard Pennsylvania marriage license fees apply.
Historical Marriage Records in Wellsboro
Tioga County's marriage records begin in 1885, the year Pennsylvania started requiring county-level marriage record keeping. The county also holds birth and death records from 1893 to 1905. Land records go back to 1804, when the county was first formed, and court records date to 1842.
For records before 1885, you may need to check church records, family papers, or the Pennsylvania State Archives. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission can help guide your search for older vital records. Newspapers from the Wellsboro area may also contain marriage announcements that predate official county records.
Tioga County has thousands of acres of state forest land and seven lakes. The area attracted settlers in the early 1800s, and many families have stayed for generations. Genealogy researchers often find rich records at the Tioga County Courthouse because of this long history of settlement.
Copies of Marriage Certificates
You can get plain or certified copies of marriage records from the Register and Recorder's office in Tioga County. A certified copy carries the official seal and is accepted for legal matters. Plain copies work for personal research.
Under Section 1307 of Title 23, the clerk must record every marriage license and make it part of the public record. Anyone can request a copy. You do not have to be a party to the marriage.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health also issues marriage certificates for marriages from 1885 onward. You can order these through VitalChek or by mail to the Division of Vital Records at PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. The state fee is about $20 per copy. For the full record with all details, go to the Tioga County Courthouse in Wellsboro.
Note: The Tioga County Board of Commissioners includes Sam VanLoon, Marc Rice, and Shane Nickerson, with Janice Chamberlain serving as Chief Clerk at 118 Main Street in Wellsboro.
Returning the Signed License
After a wedding ceremony in Tioga County, the person who performed the marriage must return the signed license to the issuing clerk. Pennsylvania law under Section 1309 of Title 23 requires this within 10 days of the ceremony. Once filed, the marriage becomes part of the permanent record in Tioga County.
If your ceremony took place near the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon or at one of the county's scenic lakes, the record is still filed at the courthouse in Wellsboro. The location of the ceremony does not change where the record is stored. It stays with the county that issued the license.
Nearby Counties
Tioga County borders several other Pennsylvania counties and the New York state line to the north. If you need a marriage record but are not sure which county issued the license, check with the couple or review other documents that may list the county.