How to Find Pennsylvania Marriage Records
United States 
US Vital Records How to Find United States Marriages Pennsylvania Vital Records Pennsylvania Marriages
- Pennsylvania counties have continuously recorded marriages since 1885.
- In Pennsylvania, copies of marriage records are not sent to the state.
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More marriage information is usually found on the marriage license application or the marriage register. Less information is found on the marriage certificate. |
Next Step: When did the marriage occur? |
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Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records
Marriages Before 1852
- Before 1852 marriages were kept on the church level.
- Some large cities have marriage registers, but they are often difficult to search.
| Marriage Indexes | |||
| Database Name-Index Only | Link or links to access database | # of records | |
| Ancestry, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 7,542,774 |
| FamilySearch, Marriage Index, 1709-1940 | On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years | 476,245 | |
| Ancestry, Marriage Records, 1700-1821 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 78,410 |
| Ancestry, Marriages, To 1810 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 34,873 |
| Ancestry, Marriages, To 1790 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 15,830 |
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases above, try searching for marriage information in other records.
| 1. Look first in | 2. Then search |
| Church Records |
Census Records |
Marriages 1852 - 1854
1852-1854 - grouped by county and record type, then arranged by certificate number, these records of marriage were kept by the Register of Wills for each county with returns sent to the Department of State. These returns are available for 47 of the 64 counties (listed below) existing at that time; however, they are not complete for each county. Digital images of the records along with a search capability are available at www.ancestry.com. Film copies of the marriage records can also be found at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index
For marriages that exist during the time period, try the following database:
| Marriage Indexes and Digital Images | |||
| Database Name - Index and Image | Link or links to access database | # of records | |
| Ancestry, Marriages, 1852-1854 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers |
$, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 9,368 |
| Can't access Ancestry? | Visit your local Family History Center or your local public library. |
| No marriage record for your ancestor? |
Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. |
STEP TWO: Obtain the Record
If you did not find your ancestor in the above database, follow the instructions below:
- View a copy of a marriage record on microfilm at a Family Search Center:
Marriage Records on Microfilm
Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the FamilySearch Catalog to see what is available.
- Search the FamilySearch Catalog by county.
- Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
- For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.
Marriages 1855 - 1884
State and county marriage records do not exist for this time period. To locate marriage records during these years, start with church records. Some large cities have marriage registers, but they are often difficult to search.
| 1. Look first in | 2. Then search |
| Church Records |
Census Records |
Marriages 1885 - Present
- Pennsylvania counties have continuously recorded marriages since 1885.
- In Pennsylvania, copies of marriage records are not sent to the state.
STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index
| Marriage Indexes and Digital Images | |||
| Database Name-Index Only | Link or links to access database | # of records | |
| Ancestry, Marriage Records, 1885-1889 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 37,562 |
| FamilySearch, Marriages, 1885-1950 | On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years; does not include the following counties: Centre, Lycoming, Mifflin, Monroe, Pike, Union counties, Lackawanna (before 1926). | 2,246,248 | |
| FamilySearch, Philadelphia Marriage Index, 1885-1951 | On FamilySearch; free | 1,830,468 | |
| Can't access Ancestry? | Visit your local Family History Center or your local public library. |
| No marriage record for your ancestor? |
Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. |
STEP TWO: Obtain the Record
If you did not find your ancestor in the above database, follow the instructions below:
|
When ordering Pennsylvania marriage records: Ask for the marriage license or the marriage register, not the marriage certificate. The license or register usually contains more information. Always order from the county where the marriage occurred. |
PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage
- If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the county clerk.
- If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.
PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records
- Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the county clerk.
OR
- View a copy of a marriage record on microfilm at a Family Search Center:
Some images of county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the FamilySearch Catalog to see what is available.
- Search the FamilySearch Catalog by county.
- Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
- For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local FamilySearch Center.
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