How Do I Get Married?
Officiant 4 U
Pennsylvania
If you want to get married in the United States, you first need to apply for a marriage license. A marriage license issued in any Pennsylvania county may be used anywhere in the state. If you are planning to get married in another state, you must contact a marriage license office in that state. Obtaining a marriage license in Pennsylvania requires completing the following steps:
1. Depending on the Marriage License Bureau you choose, you will either both have to go to the Marriage License Bureau office together and complete an application for a marriage license or complete the application online and have your appointment via video chat.
2. For most counties, you should apply 4-6 weeks before your wedding date. The time varies from county to county, so check with the office to see how far in advance you need to apply. Applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply for the license.
3. Each person must present photo identification, social security card (or passport if you do not have a social security number), and a divorce decree if previously married. You will need to know the following information to complete the form:
- Name, address, occupation, and education information
- Father's name, birthplace, address, and occupation
- Mother's name, maiden name (if different from the married name), birthplace, address, and occupation
4. There are fees for the marriage license and the marriage certificate you will receive after your completed license is processed. Fee amounts vary from county to county.
5. Some counties have you pick up your marriage license, and others send it in the mail or email it to you. Check with the county of your choice to see what options they offer. Pennsylvania marriage licenses are only valid for 60 days.
6. The above procedures may vary slightly from county to county. Check your chosen county's Marriage License Bureau for the latest application information.
Next Steps After Obtaining a Marriage License
Once you have your marriage license in hand, follow these steps to book your wedding ceremony or Sign n' Go service with Officiant 4 U:
Step 1: Contact us via call or text to schedule a free consultation to discuss what options will work best for you. (267) 382-5200
Step 2: Once you have decided on a service, complete the information form via the link sent to you during your consultation.
Step 3: Secure your date and time by sending the appropriate donation amount (discussed during your consultation).
Step 4: Mail, email, or bring your marriage license to us (we will provide that information upon confirmation of your reservation).
Step 5: Your ceremony will be performed (details and instructions will be given during your reservation confirmation).
Step 6: The county portion of the marriage license will be mailed back to their office for processing via FedEx, with tracking updates sent directly to your email.
Step 7: Contact the county marriage license bureau to obtain your certified marriage certificate.
PA Marriage License Bureaus
Several marriage license bureaus still provide marriage licenses to Pennsylvania couples through a virtual application process. As long as the couple is marrying in Pennsylvania, the marriage license can be obtained from any county in the state – it does not have to be the county in which you reside or the one we are located in. Here's a list of links to several counties for your convenience:
New Jersey
According to the State of New Jersey, Department of Health & Senior Services, State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration, here's what you need to apply for a marriage license in New Jersey:
Obtain a marriage application form at the Local Registrar's office.
If you obtain the application online, wait to sign the marriage application form before contacting the local registrar. You must sign the application under oath in the presence of the issuing authority.
Requirements for entering into marriage:
For two persons to establish a marriage in this state, it shall be necessary that they satisfy all of the following criteria:
Where to apply:
Please get in touch with the local registrar to determine if license applications are handled during ministry hours or by appointment. Also, check for current Covid-19 guidelines.
Required documents when applying for a marriage license:
* Social security number is required by law for US citizens and will be kept confidential.
A certified English translation must accompany any documents in a foreign language.
Requested additional documents (these documents are helpful but not required):
A copy of your birth certificate to establish your parents' names and related birth information.
If you are divorced, have had a previous civil union dissolved, a domestic partnership terminated, or have had a civil union annulled, please bring the decree(s) or the civil annulment documents.
Please bring the death certificate if your former spouse/civil union or domestic partner is deceased.
After you apply:
There is typically a 72-hour waiting period before the license is issued (which has been waived during the pandemic). The waiting period begins when the application is filed with the local registrar.
The marriage license application is valid for six months from the date accepted unless the registrar has given prior approval to extend the validity of the application to a maximum of one year.
Only one marriage license may be granted from a marriage application. A new application must be made if the license expires before being used.
The only exception to this requirement is when a civil and religious ceremony is to be performed on the same day. In this case, the local registrar will photocopy the marriage application, marking one "A" and one "B," and issue the corresponding marriage licenses, marking them "A" and "B" as well. One copy will be used for the religious ceremony and the other for the civil ceremony.
Once you have obtained your marriage license, follow the steps to book your wedding ceremony or Sign n' Go service with Officiant 4 U. CLICK HERE to review the steps for booking.
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