Pennsylvania Marriage License Requirements
Pennsylvania is different. self-solemnization / self-uniting (Quaker) marriages — no officiant required
In Pennsylvania, individuals aged 18 and older may marry without parental approval. Those aged 16 or 17 may marry with written parental consent. Individuals under 16 may marry only with both parental consent and court approval. A valid government-issued photo ID and proof of age are required, along with a Social Security number. Pennsylvania does not require blood tests or witnesses for standard marriage licenses.
Pennsylvania law permits self-uniting (Quaker) marriages, which do not require an officiant but do require two witnesses. Marriage licenses become effective after a three-day waiting period, though the court may waive this delay. No residency requirement applies. Marriage license fees are set by individual county clerks and typically range from approximately $40 to $90. Applicants should contact their county clerk's office to confirm current fees, specific documentation requirements, and any other eligibility details before applying.
| Requirement | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| License fee | varies by county (~$40-$90; Register of Wills / Orphans' Court Clerk) |
| Fee set by | County (varies by county) |
| Waiting period | 3 days (license effective on the 4th day; waivable by court order) |
| License validity | 60 days |
| ID required | government photo ID; proof of age; SSN |
| Residency required | no |
| Minimum age | 18 without consent; 16-17 with parental consent; under 16 with consent AND court approval |
| Blood test | no |
| Witnesses | no witnesses required (PA also allows SELF-UNITING/Quaker licenses with 2 witnesses, no officiant) |
| Online option | self-uniting (Quaker) license option lets the couple marry without an officiant (2 witnesses sign) |
| Where to apply | Register of Wills / Marriage License Bureau (county-administered) |
| Governing law | Set by state statute — refer to your state’s official statutes and the issuing County Clerk for the governing rule |
Confirm locally. Requirements come from public-record state law and can change. Verify with the issuing county clerk or state .gov. Informational only — not legal advice.
Find your state's requirements →