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“The
time to be happy is now. The place to be happy is here.”
Robert Green Ingersoll
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Requirements to Apply for a Marriage License in the
State of Pennsylvania.
The following information applies to West Chester
and most other clerk offices:
All couples who
want to be married in a "guaranteed secular ceremony" through
Secular Ceremonies must obtain a Self-Uniting Marriage License. Due
to misinformation and the lack of training given to marriage license
clerks, difficulties have arisen. Margaret Downey is happy to escort
all couples in order to guarantee that the proper license is obtained
and that clerks will not force the couple into obtaining any license
other than the Self-Uniting Marriage License. If a couple attempts
to obtain the license on their own, the couple must be prepared for
possible difficulties. All secular/atheist couples have the right
to obtain a Self-Uniting Marriage Licenses! Do not let an uneducated
clerk tell you any differently. By law, you do not have to be a Quaker
to obtain a Self-Uniting Marriage License! There may be confusion
in due to a lack of education and proper training, but The Pennsylvania
Human Relations Department has process several complaints and has
promised to intercede should difficulties arise. Remember, you do
NOT have to be a Quaker to get the Self-Uniting License and this is
the only way that your secular ceremony will be recognized by the
state of Pennsylvania.
- Marriage
License Applications are taken MONDAY through
FRIDAY
between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ONLY.
- BOTH Applicants
must be in the office and registered by 4:00 p.m.
!!!!!!
BLOOD TESTS ARE NOT REQUIRED !!!!!!
-
The fee
is $50.00 payable with Cash ONLY-
Checks and credit cards are NOT accepted. If for any reason
the marriage does not take place, there is no refund.
-
BOTH
applicants must appear together in the office to apply
for the license. Both applicants must be in the office no later
than 4 pm. No Exceptions!
-
There
is a 3 day waiting period before the license
is valid so application must be made at least 3 days but not
more than 60 days before the marriage date. (The chart in #4
shows the application day and corresponding issue/valid day.)
- Application
day and issue day are as follows:
APPLICATION
MADE ISSUED |
VALID* |
Monday |
Thursday |
Tuesday |
Friday |
Wednesday |
Monday
of following week |
Thursday |
Monday
of following week |
Friday |
Monday of following week |
*If
Legal Holiday, License is
valid next business day |
- License
is valid for 60 days from the Issue date that
appears on the License. If the license is not used within the
60 day period, the application process must be repeated in its
entirety, including payment of the fee, to obtain a subsequent
license.
- License
can be used in any County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
An out- of- state marriage license CANNOT be used in Pennsylvania
nor can a Pennsylvania marriage license be used out-of-state.
- An Applicant,
who has one, is required to provide his/her Social Security Number.
It is not necessary to present the Social Security Card. Federal
and State law require the Social Security Number. It is confidential
and not public record. If either applicant refuses to
provide his or her Social Security Number, the application will
be denied.
- Applicants
must present at least one form of identification which shows their
current legal name and date of birth. The applicant’s name will
be entered on the marriage license exactly as it appears on the
identification presented with no exceptions.
- If either
applicant was previously married, the date of the most recent
divorce, legal annulment, or death of previous spouse must be
provided. If the divorce or legal annulment was final within 6
months of the application date, a Certified copy of the Final Decree must be presented. This document is retained by the office.
- AGE
REQUIREMENTS:
If an
applicant is under age 18, the following applies:
- Applicant
16 or 17 years of age:
- Custodial Parent must appear with the applicants, show Identification
and sign a consent to the marriage. Additional Fee - $20.00 Cash Only
- Applicant under 16 years of age:Additional Fee - $60.00 - Cash ONLY {Includes Parental and Court Consent} Custodial Parent must appear with the applicants, show Identification and sign a consent to the marriage. The applicants are then scheduled to appear before a Judge for the consent of the Court. The application is not taken until after the Court Consent Order is signed by the Judge!
Emergency Waiver of the 3 Day Waiting
Period
- Except for Active Duty Military personnel, the waiver request must be submitted to the Marriage License Department for approval by the Court at least 2 working days BEFORE THE DAY OF THE APPLICATION. For example, if marriage day is Saturday, the latest day to submit waiver request is Wednesday. Application will not be taken until the waiver is approved by the Judge. Both of you should be prepared to return to apply at some time after the request is submitted.
- $25.00 fee must be paid when waiver request is submitted--Cash or Money Order Only. Checks are NOT accepted! Money order is payable to "Clerk of the Orphans' Court." Please do NOT mail cash! No requests are presented to the Judge unless the fee is paid. Active Duty Military personnel are NOT subject to this fee.
- Request must be in writing. Both applicants must sign the request. If either applicant is not able to sign the request, please provide an explanation.
- The reason for the waiver request must be given. Include date of marriage and time period involved.
- The request can be prepared by the applicants or on a form provided by the Marriage License Department. This may be obtained by phone, mail or in the office. Form is also available at our website. Click here for the Marriage License Waiver Request.
- Mail or hand deliver the request and fee to:
Marriage License Department Chester County Justice Center
201 W. Market Street, Suite 2200
P.O. Box 2746
West Chester, PA 19380-0989
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