Westmoreland County Marriage License Records

Westmoreland County marriage records are maintained by the Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans' Court in Greensburg. The office holds marriage licenses from 1885 to the present and offers online access to many records from 1988 onward. Westmoreland County is one of the larger counties in western Pennsylvania, with a rich history that dates back to 1773. Whether you need a marriage license, a certified copy, or want to search old records for family research, this page explains how to work with the Westmoreland County office to get what you need.

Westmoreland County Register of Wills

The Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans' Court is a dual office in Westmoreland County. Katie Pecarchik serves as the current Register of Wills. The office sits on the third floor of the Courthouse Annex in Greensburg. Staff handle marriage license applications, estate records, and probate filings. The office also serves as a genealogical resource with records going back to 1773.

Under Section 1301 of Title 23, every couple who wants to marry in Pennsylvania must first get a marriage license. In Westmoreland County, the Register of Wills issues these licenses. Both people must come to the office in person to apply. You can call the marriage license line at (724) 830-3196 for questions specific to your situation.

The Westmoreland County Register of Wills website offers online access to public records for cases from 1988 to the present.

You can log in as a guest or create an account to search marriage records on the Westmoreland County Register of Wills website. The online tools let you search by name or date. Records older than 1988 must be viewed in the office.

Searching Westmoreland Marriage Records Online

Westmoreland County is one of the few counties in Pennsylvania that provides an online public records search for marriage licenses. Records from 1988 to the present are available through the Register of Wills website. You can search by entering the name of either party and the approximate marriage date. The system returns matching results that you can view on screen.

To get started, go to the Westmoreland County Register of Wills page and click on the Public Records Search link. You can log in as a guest for basic searches. Creating a free account gives you more tools. The online system shows index information. For certified copies, you still need to contact the office or visit in person.

For court-related records, the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal covers all counties. You can look up docket sheets for family law cases in Westmoreland County through this free tool. The Prothonotary at (724) 830-3502 handles civil court records if you need documents from a specific case.

Note: The online system was recently updated, and the way you view and print images may have changed from the older version.

Westmoreland County Marriage Fees

A marriage license in Westmoreland County costs $80.00. This fee is due at the time you apply. The office also charges a temporary surcharge of $21.25 and a JCP/JCS fee of $40.25 on all cases. These added fees support the judicial computer system in Pennsylvania.

Copy fees in Westmoreland County are straightforward. Standard black and white photocopies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 per record. If the office sends records by email, there is no charge for the electronic file. Mailing costs actual postage. For court documents from the Prothonotary, certified copies typically start at $10.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each page after that.

Under Section 1303 of Title 23, a marriage license is good for 60 days from the date it is issued. If the ceremony does not happen within that period, you will need to apply again in Westmoreland County and pay the fee once more. Plan your timeline so the license stays valid through your wedding date.

Virtual services are also available for $100. These are offered by appointment, Monday through Friday. This option may work if you cannot visit Greensburg in person right away.

Marriage License Requirements

Applying for a marriage license in Westmoreland County follows rules set by state law. Both people must appear at the office in Greensburg. You cannot send someone else in your place.

Bring these items to your appointment at the Westmoreland County Courthouse:

• Valid government-issued photo ID
• Social Security numbers for both parties
• Final divorce decree if previously married
• Death certificate if a former spouse is deceased
• Payment for the license fee

After you submit the application, there is a three-day waiting period under Section 1307 of Title 23. The license will not be issued until three days have passed. You can pick it up after that or have it mailed. The extended evening hours on the first Tuesday and Thursday of each month may help if your work schedule makes daytime visits hard.

Note: The Register of Wills office cannot provide legal advice about marriage or any other legal matter in Westmoreland County.

Westmoreland County Court Records

Westmoreland County marriage and divorce records are public documents. Different offices within the county government handle different types of records. The Register of Wills oversees marriage licenses and estate records. The Prothonotary manages civil court records, which include divorce cases. The Clerk of Courts handles criminal records.

Family court records in Westmoreland County cover a wide range of matters. These include child custody, support, divorce, adoption, and domestic violence cases. Under Pennsylvania's Case Records Public Access Policy, most court records are open to the public. However, some records involving children or sensitive matters may be exempt from public access. Only the people involved, their lawyers, or those with proper legal authority can view exempt files.

You can download the Public Records Form from the Unified Judicial System website, fill it out, and send it to the specific court that handled your case.

Westmoreland County must respond to formal records requests within five business days. Complex requests may get a 30-day extension under 65 P.S. Section 67.902. Fee waivers may be granted for requests from nonprofit groups acting in the public interest.

Historical Marriage Records

Westmoreland County holds marriage licenses from 1885 to the present. Estate records go back even further, to 1773. This deep collection makes the county a strong resource for genealogical research in western Pennsylvania. The Orphans' Court records start from 1750, among the oldest in the state.

Between 1852 and 1855, Pennsylvania made a short-lived attempt to record marriages at the county level. Westmoreland County has an incomplete set of birth, death, and marriage records from this period. These early records can be valuable for researchers trying to piece together family lines from the mid-1800s.

Birth records from 1893 to 1905 are also on file at the Westmoreland County office. After 1906, the state began collecting birth and death records centrally. Those are now held by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records in New Castle. For marriage certificates from the state, the fee is $20 per certified copy.

The PA State Archives Vital Statistics page has more information about statewide records. The Library of Congress guide for Pennsylvania is another useful starting point for deep research.

Under Section 1309 of Title 23, the officiant who performs the ceremony must return the signed marriage license to the issuing office within ten days. This is what creates the permanent marriage record on file in Westmoreland County.

Nearby Counties

Westmoreland County borders several other counties in western Pennsylvania. Marriage licenses are valid statewide, so you may apply in any county. However, most people apply near where they live.

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