Wayne County Marriage Records
Wayne County marriage records are kept at the Wayne County Courthouse in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court handles marriage license applications and maintains records dating back to 1885. Wayne County sits in the northeast corner of the state and is known for its rural charm and small-town feel. If you need to search for a marriage record in Wayne County, you can visit the courthouse or call ahead to learn what steps to take. This guide walks through how to find, request, and use marriage records in Wayne County.
Wayne County Quick Facts
Wayne County Register of Wills
The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court is the office that handles marriage licenses in Wayne County. This is a combined office, so the same staff who deal with wills and estates also process marriage license applications. The office is on the main floor of the Wayne County Courthouse at 925 Court Street in Honesdale.
To get a marriage license in Wayne County, both people must go to the courthouse together. You will need valid photo ID and your Social Security numbers. If you were married before, bring your divorce decree or a death certificate. Under Section 1301 of Title 23, a marriage license is required before any marriage ceremony in Pennsylvania. The Register of Wills issues the license after you fill out the forms and pay the fee.
The Wayne County Courthouse is in the heart of Honesdale. The town is small and easy to get around. Parking is close to the building. You can reach the Register of Wills at 570-253-5970, extension 4040. Call first to check hours and ask what to bring.
The Wayne County official website has more details about office hours and services offered at the courthouse.
| Office |
Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans' Court Wayne County Courthouse 925 Court Street Honesdale, PA 18431 Phone: 570-253-5970, ext. 4040 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | waynecountypa.gov |
How to Search Marriage Records
Wayne County does not have an online database for marriage records. All searches must be done in person or by phone. This is common for smaller counties in Pennsylvania. The staff at the Register of Wills office can look up records if you give them the right details.
When you ask for a marriage record in Wayne County, be ready to share the full names of both people and the year they were married. If you know the exact date, that helps speed things up. The office keeps marriage records from 1885 to the present. Older records may take a bit more time to find since they are stored in older books and files rather than on a computer system.
You can also try the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us for court-related records. This free tool covers all counties in the state, but it is mainly for court case dockets. For actual marriage certificates, you will still need to go through the Wayne County Courthouse.
Note: The Register of Wills and the Recorder of Deeds share the same phone extension in Wayne County, so be sure to ask for the right department when you call.
Wayne County Marriage License Fees
Wayne County follows the standard Pennsylvania fee schedule for marriage licenses. The cost falls within the typical range of $40 to $80 for a new license. Fees can change, so it is a good idea to confirm the current amount before your visit. You can pay at the courthouse when you apply.
Copies of existing marriage records also have fees. In Wayne County, a certified copy costs $5.00. Regular photocopies are $0.25 per page. Certified copies carry an official seal and are accepted by courts and government agencies. Plain copies work fine for personal use or family research.
Under Section 1303 of Title 23, the marriage license remains valid for 60 days after it is issued. If you do not hold the ceremony within that window, you will need to apply again and pay a new fee in Wayne County.
Marriage License Requirements in Wayne County
Pennsylvania law sets the rules for who can get a marriage license. Both people must be at least 18 years old. You must appear in person at the Wayne County Courthouse to apply. No one can apply on your behalf.
Here is what you need to bring when applying for a marriage license in Wayne County:
- Valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport
- Social Security numbers for both people
- Divorce decree if either person was previously married
- Death certificate if a former spouse has passed away
Pennsylvania has a three-day waiting period after you apply. This means you cannot pick up your license on the same day you submit the forms. Under Section 1307 of Title 23, the license is issued no sooner than three days after the application. Plan your visit to Wayne County with this waiting period in mind. You may be able to have the license mailed to you once it is ready.
Wayne County was named for General Anthony Wayne. The county seat, Honesdale, is often called the "Birthplace of the American Railroad." Many couples who live in the area choose to apply for their marriage license right at the courthouse. Others visit from nearby counties because of the scenic setting in the Pocono region.
Note: If you were married before, make sure your prior divorce is fully finalized before applying in Wayne County.
Historical Marriage Records
Wayne County has marriage records going back to 1885. That is the year Pennsylvania began requiring marriage licenses statewide. Before that date, marriages were recorded by churches rather than by civil offices. If you are looking for a Wayne County marriage before 1885, you may need to check church records or historical archives.
The Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg also holds copies of some early marriage records. You can search their collections through the PA State Archives Research Online portal. This is a helpful resource for genealogy work and family history projects tied to Wayne County.
Wayne County court records from the courthouse in Honesdale cover civil and criminal cases alongside marriage records. The Prothonotary handles civil court records and can be reached at 570-253-5970, extension 4030. For broader searches that span many decades, visiting the courthouse in person gives you the best chance of finding what you need.
Wayne County Vital Records
Marriage records are one type of vital record in Wayne County. Birth and death records were also kept at the county level from 1893 to 1906. After 1906, the state took over birth and death records. Those are now held by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records in New Castle.
For marriage certificates issued by the state, you can order through the Division of Vital Records. The fee is $20 per certified copy. A state-issued marriage certificate is a shorter document that confirms the marriage took place. It shows the names, date, and county but does not include the full details found in the original license. For the complete record, go to the Wayne County Courthouse.
The CDC guide for Pennsylvania vital records lists where to write for each type of record. It is a quick reference if you are not sure which office to contact.
Under Section 1309 of Title 23, the person who performs the marriage ceremony must return the completed license to the office that issued it within ten days. This step is what creates the official marriage record in Wayne County.
Note: Wayne County marriage records are public records and can be viewed by anyone, not just the people named on the license.
Genealogy Research in Wayne County
Wayne County is a good place for family history research. The courthouse records go back well over a hundred years. Marriage licenses from 1885 onward, estate records, and land records are all available. The rural nature of the county means that many families have deep roots in the area.
Several online tools can help with Wayne County genealogy. Ancestry.com has a collection of Pennsylvania marriages from 1852 to 1854, which covers an early attempt at civil record-keeping. The State Library of Pennsylvania also offers research guides for marriage and other vital records across the state.
If you plan to visit Wayne County for research, the courthouse in Honesdale is the main stop. There is no local historical society with a large public archive, so the county offices are your best bet for official records. Bring as much detail as you can about the people you are searching for.
Nearby Counties
Wayne County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. If you are not sure which county handles your marriage license, check the address where you live. You must apply in the correct county or any other Pennsylvania county, as licenses are valid statewide.