Marriage records in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, are available through several channels. LancasterPACourt.us allows quick access to public information about the county's marriage records. Additionally, the original documents are maintained by the Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans' Court — this is the office in Pennsylvania that issues marriage licenses and records returned certificates. You can also visit the office in person, send a request by mail, or use the online case search of the Register of Wills to verify existing records.
Lancaster Marriage Records Search
In Pennsylvania, marriage licenses are issued and maintained by the Register of Wills of each county. In Lancaster County, this function is performed by the Lancaster County Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans' Court. The collection includes issued marriage licenses, returned and registered marriage certificates, as well as historical records dating back to the 18th century. Older documents have been transferred to the Lancaster County Archives Division, established in 1975 as a repository for permanent court records.
To search Register of Wills cases online, use the Case Search portal. If you need assistance, contact the office directly.
Lancaster County Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans' Court
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Lancaster
Fees for copies of marriage records are set by the Register of Wills in accordance with Pennsylvania law and the office's internal fee schedule. Below are approximate rates — we recommend confirming current amounts directly with the office before ordering, as they may change.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of marriage certificate (first) | $10.00 |
| Additional certified copy (in the same order) | $5.00 |
| Search fee | Included in the copy cost |
Note: Informational (non-certified) copies may be available at a reduced price — check with the office. In-person requests are usually processed the same day. Mail requests take longer — from one to several weeks depending on workload.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Lancaster
You can obtain a copy of a marriage certificate from Lancaster County in several ways.
Online
Pennsylvania does not have a centralized state portal for ordering marriage certificates online — unlike birth and death certificates, which are processed by the Division of Vital Records of the Department of Health. Marriage records are stored exclusively at the county level. To check the availability of a specific record, use the online search of the Register of Wills, then contact the office to order a copy.
In Person
Visit the Register of Wills office at:
No appointment is necessary. Bring a valid photo ID. Payment is accepted on-site.
By Mail
Send a written request to the office address. Include in your letter:
- Full names of both spouses
- Approximate date of marriage
- Purpose of the request
- Your name, address, and contact phone number
- A copy of your photo ID
- A check or money order payable to "Lancaster County Register of Wills" for the appropriate amount
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Mail request address:
For research on historical marriage records dating before the 20th century, contact the Lancaster County Archives Division. Reference information on state vital records can also be found on the Vital Records page of the Pennsylvania State Library. Additional information about county court offices is available on the official Lancaster County Courts website.