Marriage Records for Wyoming County
Wyoming County marriage records are held at the county courthouse in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania. The Prothonotary and Clerk of Orphans' Court manages marriage licenses and keeps records from 1885 to the present. Wyoming County is a small, rural county in northeastern Pennsylvania that was formed from Luzerne County in 1844. If you want to find a marriage record, apply for a license, or get a certified copy, this guide covers how to do each of those things through the Wyoming County office. You can search by visiting in person, calling the office, or sending a written request.
Wyoming County Quick Facts
Wyoming County Prothonotary Office
Cindy L. Adams serves as the Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, and Clerk of Orphans' Court in Wyoming County. This combined office handles a wide range of court and records functions. Marriage license applications are processed here. The office also files civil and criminal court documents, handles juvenile petitions, and manages adoption records.
The office is inside the Wyoming County Courthouse at 1 Courthouse Square in Tunkhannock. Hours are 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Staff include Sharon Kuback as First Deputy and Denise Herbert and Andrea Banos as Second Deputies. You can call the main line at (570) 836-3200 or the marriage records line at (570) 996-2232.
Under Section 1301 of Title 23, a marriage license must be obtained before any marriage ceremony takes place in Pennsylvania. The Wyoming County Prothonotary is the office that issues these licenses for residents and couples who choose to apply here.
The Wyoming County official website has more details about services at the courthouse.
| Office |
Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts / Clerk of Orphans' Court Wyoming County Courthouse 1 Courthouse Square Tunkhannock, PA 18657 Main: (570) 836-3200 Marriage Records: (570) 996-2232 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | wyomingcountypa.gov |
How to Request Marriage Records
Wyoming County does not have an online database for searching marriage records. All requests must go through the Prothonotary's office. You have three options: visit in person, send a letter, or send an email.
When you request a marriage record in Wyoming County, include these details:
- Full names of both parties
- Year the marriage took place
- Number of copies you need
- Your mailing address for delivery
The office accepts payment by check or money order. Each certified copy of a marriage record costs $10.00 in Wyoming County. Certified copies come with an official seal and are accepted for legal purposes. Non-certified copies are also available for personal or historical use and cost less.
For court docket information, the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal provides free access to case records across all counties. Wyoming County is part of the 44th Judicial District, which includes the Court of Common Pleas and two Magisterial District Courts.
Note: The Prothonotary's office will not conduct index searches, including judgments and liens, on your behalf.
Wyoming County Marriage License Process
Getting a marriage license in Wyoming County follows the same rules as every other county in Pennsylvania. Both people must go to the courthouse in Tunkhannock together. Bring valid photo ID and your Social Security numbers. If either person was married before, a final divorce decree or death certificate is required.
After you submit the application, Pennsylvania law requires a three-day waiting period. Under Section 1307 of Title 23, the license cannot be issued until at least three days after the application date. You can pick it up in person or ask to have it mailed once it is ready.
The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. Under Section 1303 of Title 23, the ceremony must happen within that 60-day window or the license expires. If it does expire, you will need to apply again at the Wyoming County Courthouse and pay the fee a second time.
Wyoming County is a quiet place with a close-knit feel. Tunkhannock sits along the Susquehanna River. Many couples who live in the area or have family ties here choose to apply for their license at the courthouse. The small office staff know the process well and can walk you through each step.
Wyoming County Court Records
Most Wyoming County court records are open to the public. Under Pennsylvania's Case Records Public Access Policy, anyone can ask to view or copy these documents. Exceptions exist for records that involve children, adoptions, mental health hearings, or cases that have been sealed by court order. Personal details like Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are removed from public copies.
The Prothonotary's office maintains civil court records, criminal records, and family court filings. Marriage certificates are part of the county's vital records collection. These records are used for legal, personal, and genealogical purposes.
Civil court records in Wyoming County cover divorce, child custody, appeals, judgments, and liens. Criminal records include arrest information. The Prothonotary files all legal documents and then enters them into the docket system. The office also issues subpoenas, certifies records, and administers oaths.
Historical Marriage Records in Wyoming County
Wyoming County has maintained marriage records since 1885. The county itself was formed in 1844 from part of Luzerne County. Court records go back to the year the county was established. For marriages before 1885, you would need to look at church records, newspaper announcements, or the Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg.
Birth and death records were kept at the county level from 1893 to 1906. After 1906, the state took over and those records are now at the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records in New Castle. The county still has the older records from that 1893 to 1906 period. Before 1893, no birth or death records were kept in Wyoming County.
The Wyoming County Historical Society in Tunkhannock has additional historical materials that may help with family research. The Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg also holds records dating back to 1682. For marriage records specifically, the State Library of Pennsylvania offers research guides and links to various collections.
Under Section 1309 of Title 23, the person who performs a marriage ceremony must return the signed license to the issuing office within ten days. This requirement creates the permanent record that gets filed at the Wyoming County Courthouse.
Note: For state-issued marriage certificates, contact the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records in New Castle. The fee is $20 per certified copy.
Vital Records and Genealogy
Marriage records in Wyoming County are one piece of a larger set of vital records. If you are doing genealogy work, you may also want birth, death, and land records. The Recorder of Deeds at the Wyoming County Courthouse handles property records and can be reached at (570) 996-2361.
The CDC guide for Pennsylvania vital records is a handy reference for figuring out which office holds which type of record. It covers marriage, birth, death, and divorce records and lists the correct addresses for each.
Wyoming County is small enough that the courthouse staff can often help you in ways that larger counties cannot. If you call ahead and explain what you are looking for, they can let you know what is available and what it will cost. The Prothonotary's office accepts ePay for fines, costs, and restitution, though record request payments are typically by check or money order.
For online genealogy tools, Ancestry.com has Pennsylvania marriage records from 1852 to 1854. These early records come from a brief period when the state tried to collect marriage data at the county level before the 1885 mandate took full effect.
Nearby Counties
Wyoming County is surrounded by several other Pennsylvania counties. Marriage licenses issued in any county are valid across the state. If Wyoming County is not close to you, you can apply in any other county instead.