How to Find Pennsylvania Marriage Records

How To Find U.S. Marriage Records How To Find Pennsylvania Marriage Records

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Next Step: When did the marriage occur?

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 * Marriage Records
 * Choose a time period:
 * Before 1852
 * 1852 - 1854
 * 1855 - 1884
 * 1885 - Present
 * Marriage year unknown


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Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1852
Before 1852 marriages were kept on the Church level. Some of the larger cities may have marriage registers but may be difficult to search.

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases above, try searching for marriage information in other records.

Go Back to the Top: Choose another marriage year

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:

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
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 Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.


 * Search the FHLC 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.

Return to top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1855 - 1884
State and county marriage records do not exist for this time period. To locate marriage records for this time period start with church records. Some of the larger cities have records for this time period but are incomplete.

Go Back to the Top: Choose another marriage year

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index
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 Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.


 * Search the FHLC 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.

Go Back to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Ordering 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. Go Back to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Wiki Articles

 * United States Record Selection Table
 * United States, How to Use Marriage Records
 * United States Marriage Records
 * United States Vital Records
 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
 * Locating United States Vital Records
 * Pennsylvania Marriage Records (FamilySearch Historical Records) Known Issues