York County Marriage License Records

York County marriage records are available through the Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds at the York County Government Center. York County is one of the original Pennsylvania counties, established in 1749, and has deep roots in American history. The county seat is the city of York, which briefly served as the capital of the United States during the Revolutionary War. Marriage records in York County go back to 1885. You can search for records online, in person, or by contacting the appropriate office. This page explains each method and what you need to know before you start.

York County Marriage License Office

The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court issues marriage licenses in York County. This office is at the York County Government Center, 100 West Market Street in York. The Recorder of Deeds, which shares the same phone line, also works out of this building. For marriage license questions, call (717) 771-9644.

Under Section 1301 of Title 23, every couple must obtain a marriage license before any ceremony in Pennsylvania. Both people must appear in person at the office in York to apply. You cannot apply by mail or online. The staff will guide you through the paperwork and collect the fee at the time of your visit.

York County is the 14th most populous county in Pennsylvania. It is part of the York-Hanover metropolitan area. The Government Center is right in downtown York and easy to find. There is also a separate Judicial Center at 45 North George Street that handles court matters.

Note: Marriage licenses are handled at the Government Center on West Market Street, not at the Judicial Center on North George Street.

Searching York County Marriage Records

York County offers several ways to search for marriage records. The Prothonotary's office provides public access to its docket through the internet. You can search electronic case records at the York County website. The Prothonotary also has a public access terminal at the Judicial Center where you can look up records in person.

For marriage licenses specifically, the Register of Wills maintains the records. You can call (717) 771-9644 and ask staff to search by name. Provide the full names of both people and the year they were married. The more details you give, the faster the search will go.

The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal is a free statewide tool. York County is in the 9th Judicial District. You can search for docket sheets on family law cases through this portal. It covers civil cases, including divorce filings. For the actual marriage license or certificate, you need the Register of Wills.

York County Marriage Record Fees

Marriage license fees in York County follow the standard Pennsylvania schedule. The exact amount can change, so call the Register of Wills at (717) 771-9644 to confirm before your visit. Fees are paid at the time of the application.

For copies of existing records, York County charges $0.25 per page for standard photocopies. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document. Certified copies have an official seal and signature and are accepted by courts, banks, and government offices. Plain copies are fine for personal reference.

Under Section 1303 of Title 23, a marriage license stays valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. The ceremony must happen within that time frame. If it does not, the license expires and you must apply again at the York County office and pay the fee once more.

Marriage License Requirements

York County follows the same marriage license rules as every other county in Pennsylvania. The requirements are set by state law and do not vary from one county to the next.

To apply for a marriage license in York County, you need:

• Both people present at the Register of Wills office
• Valid photo ID for each person
• Social Security numbers
• Proof that any prior marriage ended, such as a divorce decree or death certificate
• Both applicants must be 18 or older

There is a three-day waiting period after you apply. Under Section 1307 of Title 23, the office cannot give you the license until at least three days have passed since the application. York County handles a large number of license applications each year given its population, so the office is well set up to process requests quickly once the waiting period ends.

After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Register of Wills. Under Section 1309 of Title 23, this must happen within ten days. That step is what creates the permanent marriage record on file in York County.

Historical Records in York County

York County was established in 1749, making it one of the oldest counties in Pennsylvania. Marriage records date from 1885, when the state began requiring licenses. Land records maintained by the Recorder of Deeds go back even further. The Prothonotary keeps civil court records, and those are also available for many years.

York has a special place in American history. During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress met in York from September 1777 to June 1778. The Articles of Confederation were adopted here. This history draws many researchers to York County for genealogical and historical projects.

For marriage records before 1885, you would need to check church records, family papers, or archives. The Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg maintains historical records going back to 1682. The Library of Congress guide for Pennsylvania genealogy is another solid starting point for deep research into York County family lines.

Adams County was formed from York County in 1800. If your ancestors lived in what is now Adams County before that date, their records may be filed under York County instead. Keep this in mind when searching older documents.

Note: The Prothonotary's modern electronic filing system means recent court records are easier to search than older ones in York County.

York County Vital Records

Marriage records are just one type of vital record available in York County. Birth and death records from 1906 onward are held by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records in New Castle. For state-issued marriage certificates, you can also order from the Division of Vital Records. The fee is $20 per certified copy.

A state marriage certificate is a shorter document. It confirms the marriage took place and shows the names, date, and county. It does not include all the details found on the original license at the York County office. For the complete record, contact the Register of Wills directly.

The State Library of Pennsylvania has research guides that cover marriage records and other vital records across the state. These guides point you to the right office for whatever you need. The CDC directory for Pennsylvania also lists the correct address for each type of vital record.

Legal Help in York County

If you need legal help with a marriage-related matter in York County, several resources are available. The Pennsylvania Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (800) 692-7375. They can connect you with a family law attorney in the York area.

Pennsylvania Legal Aid serves York County through local offices. Visit palegalaid.net to see if you qualify for free legal help based on income. The York County Bar Association may also offer referral services for local attorneys.

The York County Judicial Center at 45 North George Street is where court hearings take place. The Prothonotary office there can help with civil court filings and provide forms for self-represented individuals. Call (717) 771-9611 for the Prothonotary.

Nearby Counties

York County shares borders with several other Pennsylvania counties and also borders Maryland to the south. A marriage license from any Pennsylvania county is valid statewide.

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