Union County PA Marriage Records
Union County marriage records are maintained at the courthouse in Lewisburg, the county seat. The Prothonotary's office issues marriage licenses and keeps official records for Union County. Marriage license applications are by appointment only. Records go back to 1885, and estate records on microfilm date to 1813. Whether you need a copy of a recent marriage license or want to look up a historical record, the Union County Courthouse at 103 South Second Street in Lewisburg is your destination. This page explains the full process for searching and requesting these records.
Union County Quick Facts
Union County Prothonotary Office
The Prothonotary's office in Union County handles marriage licenses along with civil, criminal, and orphans' court records. Diane Miller serves as Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts. The word "Prothonotary" comes from Latin and means "First Notary." It dates back to Ecclesiastical Law as the highest administrator of the Court of Rome. In Union County, this office sits on the first floor of the courthouse.
Marriage licenses are issued by appointment only at the Union County Courthouse. Both parties must be present at the time of application. You will need to bring a photo ID, your Social Security number, and proof that any prior marriages ended. It takes three days to get the license after you apply, and the license stays valid for 60 days.
The Union County website at unioncountypa.org provides links to the Prothonotary's office and other county services.
Under Section 1301 of Title 23, every county in Pennsylvania must maintain records of marriage licenses. Union County has kept these records since 1885.
| Marriage Licenses |
Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts Diane Miller 103 S. Second Street Lewisburg, PA 17837 Phone: (570) 524-8751 Fax: (570) 524-8628 |
|---|---|
| Register of Wills |
Lisa A. Seward 103 S. Second Street Lewisburg, PA 17837 Phone: (570) 524-8767 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | unioncountypa.org |
Applying for a Marriage License
Union County requires appointments for all marriage license applications. Call (570) 524-8751 to set up your visit. Both parties must come in person. You cannot apply alone or on behalf of another person.
What you need to bring:
- Valid photo ID for both applicants
- Social Security numbers for both applicants
- Divorce decree or death certificate if previously married
Under Section 1303 of Title 23, both parties must appear together before the issuing officer. After you apply, there is a three-day waiting period. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. You can apply in Union County and get married in any other county in Pennsylvania. The reverse is also true. A couple from Erie County, for instance, could apply for their license in Union County.
The Prothonotary's office cannot provide legal advice. If you have questions about marriage law, contact a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.
Note: Document recording at the Union County Courthouse concludes at 4:15 PM, even though the office stays open until 4:30 PM.
Searching Marriage Records in Lewisburg
Union County does not have an online database for marriage records. You must visit the courthouse in person or submit a request by mail. The Prothonotary's office keeps all marriage records and can search by the names of the parties or by date.
For court case searches, the statewide UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us allows free searches by name or case number.
Marriage records are public in Pennsylvania. Anyone may request a copy. You do not have to be listed on the marriage license. Personal details like Social Security numbers are removed from public copies.
Historical Records at Union County
Union County holds marriage records from 1885 to the present. The Register of Wills office, headed by Lisa A. Seward, also maintains estate records on microfilm going all the way back to 1813. These records can be a goldmine for genealogy research when combined with marriage records.
Birth and death records from 1893 to 1905 are also on file at the courthouse. Earlier vital records were not kept at the county level in Pennsylvania. For records before 1885, check church records, newspaper archives, or the Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission oversees the state archives.
The Register of Wills office charges $0.25 per page for standard copies and $5.00 for certified copies. These fees apply to estate records and may differ from marriage record copy fees. Call ahead to confirm costs for the specific record you need.
Note: The Union County Register of Wills office also handles passport applications on weekdays, with slightly different hours than the regular office schedule.
State Marriage Certificates
The Pennsylvania Department of Health issues marriage certificates separate from county records. A state certificate confirms a marriage took place. It shows the names, date, and county. It does not include all the details found in the original county record.
You can order a state certificate online through VitalChek, by mail to the Division of Vital Records at PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103, or in person at the state office. The fee is about $20 per certified copy. The state has marriage records from 1885 to the present.
For the full marriage record from Union County, visit the Prothonotary's office in Lewisburg. Under Section 1307 of Title 23, the clerk must record every marriage license and keep it as part of the permanent public record.
After Your Wedding Ceremony
Once you are married, the person who performed the ceremony must return the signed license to the clerk who issued it. Under Section 1309 of Title 23, this must happen within 10 days. The clerk then records the license, and the marriage becomes part of the official record in Union County.
You can then request certified copies of your recorded marriage license from the Prothonotary's office. Certified copies are needed for name changes, insurance updates, and other legal matters. Call (570) 524-8751 to ask about current fees and how to place your request.
Nearby Counties
Union County is in central Pennsylvania. If you need a marriage record from a neighboring county, check where the license was issued. Pennsylvania allows couples to apply in any county.