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

Finding Pennsylvania Marriage Records
Learn more about U.S. 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

Frequently Asked Questions about Marriage Records
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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 below, try searching for marriage information in other records.

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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 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.

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

For marriages that exist during the time period, try the following databases.

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

Marriages 1885 - Present
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Ask for the marriage license or the marriage register, not the marriage certificate. The license or register usually contains more information. 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

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

Marriages Before 1820

 * Before 1805, no marriages were recorded by the county or state
 * 1805 to 1820 very few records exist

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



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Marriages 1820 to 1867
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.

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Marriages 1868 to 1925
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 the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1926 to 1935
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 the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1936 to Present
Marriage licenses may be found in the county records where the marriage occurred.

STEP ONE: Find Birth Information


 * Copies may be ordered from the county clerk.


 * Copies may be ordered from the Michigan Department of Public Health.

Ask for the marriage license or the marriage register, not the marriage certificate. The license or register usually contains more information. Return 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
 * Michigan Marriage Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)/Known Issues