Warren County Pennsylvania Marriage Records
Warren County marriage records are available through the Register and Recorder's Office at the courthouse in Warren. This office maintains a database of marriage licenses and certificates going back to 1885. Every marriage record is accessible to the public for viewing, inspection, and copying. Warren County also offers an online application for marriage licenses, making it one of the more accessible counties in northwestern Pennsylvania for this process. This page covers how to search for records, apply for a license, and get copies of marriage documents.
Warren County Quick Facts
Warren County Register and Recorder
Lisa Burkhouse serves as the Register and Recorder in Warren County. Emily Yaegle is the Deputy Recorder of Deeds, and Karen Bednar is the Deputy Register of Wills. This office handles marriage licenses, estate records, land records, and guardianship processing. It is located at 204 Fourth Avenue in Warren.
The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Marriage license applicants must arrive no later than 3:00 p.m. Documents presented after 3:30 p.m. are recorded on the next business day. These cutoff times are important to keep in mind when you plan your visit.
Warren County's official website at warrencountypa.gov provides information about the Register and Recorder's office and other county departments.
Under Section 1301 of Title 23, Pennsylvania requires every county to maintain marriage records. Warren County has kept these records since 1885 and makes them open to the public.
| Office |
Register & Recorder's Office Lisa Burkhouse, Register/Recorder 204 Fourth Avenue Warren, PA 16365 Phone: (814) 728-3430 Fax: (814) 728-3436 Email: recordersoffice@warrencountypa.gov |
|---|---|
| Prothonotary |
Aaron Uber, Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts 204 Fourth Avenue, Warren, PA 16365 Phone: (814) 728-3440 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (licenses by 3:00 PM) |
Warren County Marriage License Application
Warren County offers an online marriage license application. You can start the process at the Landex marriage application page. After you submit your application online, you receive a six-digit code. Bring this code to the Register and Recorder's office to finish the process.
Both applicants must appear in person before 3:00 p.m. You will sign the application and take the marriage license oath. The license is issued at that time, but there is a three-day waiting period before you can use it. The license is valid for 60 days and can be used anywhere in Pennsylvania.
Requirements for the in-person visit:
- Both applicants must be at least 18 years old
- Bring proper identification such as a driver's license, photo ID, or birth certificate
- Divorced applicants must bring the original or certified copy of their final divorce decree
- Fee of $40.00, payable by cash or check
Under Section 1303 of Title 23, both parties must appear together before the issuing officer. An ATM machine is available on the first floor of the courthouse if you need cash.
Note: The Warren County office cannot advise on who may or may not perform marriage ceremonies. The responsibility for verifying that an officiant is legally authorized falls on the couple.
Searching Marriage Records in Warren
To search for a marriage record in Warren County, provide the full name of at least one spouse at the time of the marriage application and the year. You can request either a non-certified copy for personal or historical purposes or a certified copy for official use.
Submit your request in writing with a check or money order payable to "Warren County Recorder of Deeds." A certified copy of a marriage license costs $5.00. Mail your request to the Register and Recorder's Office at 204 Fourth Avenue, Warren, PA 16365. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of your documents.
The statewide UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us allows free searches of court records by name or case number.
Warren County marriage records are public records under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. Anyone can request to view or copy them. However, certain records are exempt from public access. These include records with personal identifying information like Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information. Mental health treatment records, juvenile court records, and home addresses of law enforcement officers and judges are also exempt.
Warren County Court Records
Warren County has five courts in total: three district courts and two courts of common pleas. The Prothonotary, Aaron Uber, serves as clerk of the court of common pleas and keeps records of all civil procedures. This office also handles divorce records, which date back to approximately 1804.
The Prothonotary's office has two computers available for the public to view or file documents. Additional computers are in the Courthouse Law Library. Copy fees are $0.25 per page, and certified copies cost $5.00.
If you need a marriage record along with other court records, both the Register and Recorder's office and the Prothonotary's office are in the same building at 204 Fourth Avenue. You can handle multiple requests in one visit to the Warren County Courthouse.
Note: Land record requests in Warren County are not accepted by phone or email. All requests must be in writing with a $5.00 fee per document and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Historical Marriage Records
Warren County holds marriage records from 1885 to the present. Birth and death records from 1893 to 1905 are also on file locally. After 1906, birth and death records were maintained at the state level by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
For real estate records, Warren County offers online access through LANDEX.com for records from 1985 to the present. A webstore option lets you view or download land documents. Public terminals are also available in the Register and Recorder's office for land records research. While marriage records are not available through LANDEX, the platform shows that Warren County is working to make records more accessible.
Under Section 1307 of Title 23, the clerk must record every marriage license. For records before 1885, you may need to check church records or the Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg.
After the Wedding in Warren County
Once the ceremony takes place, the officiant must return the signed marriage license to the issuing clerk. Under Section 1309 of Title 23, this must happen within 10 days. The clerk records the license, and the marriage becomes part of the permanent public record in Warren County.
You can then order certified copies for name changes, insurance matters, or other legal needs. The fee for a certified copy of a marriage license is $5.00. Contact the Register and Recorder's office at (814) 728-3430 or email recordersoffice@warrencountypa.gov to place your request.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health also issues state marriage certificates. These shorter documents confirm that a marriage took place. You can order them 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.
Nearby Counties
Warren County is in the northwest corner of Pennsylvania, bordering New York State to the north. If you need a marriage record from a neighboring county, contact that county's Register and Recorder.