In Pennsylvania, the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court Division of county is responsible for maintaining the records of all marriages in the county where the marriage license was issued.
In Montgomery County, an individual may obtain a marriage record by either appearing in person at the Marriage License Department, or by mailing a Marriage Record Request Form to the department. All requests must include the complete name of the husband or wife at them time of their marriage, as well as the appropriate fee.
Upon receipt of a request, the Marriage License Department will immediately conduct a search and prepare the marriage record requested. It is important to remember that a marriage record is maintained in the county where them marriage license was issued.
There are a variety of reasons why an individual may need a copy of a marriage record. For example, the Social Security Administration requires a “one seal” marriage record in order to complete a woman’s name change. It is important to complete a name change prior to filing a joint income tax return with the Department of Treasury, otherwise, a tax refund will not be issued.
Other reasons why you may need a copy of a marriage record include collecting Social Security or pension benefits; for mortgage, adoption, or passport purposes; and any other situation where proof of marriage is required.
It is recommended that before requesting a marriage record, first determine the type of record which is appropriate for your needs.
There are three types of marriage records available. The first is a plain copy of the marriage record which is not official use but typically for family histories or personal use. The second type of marriage record is referred to as a one-seal copy which is usually used for domestic purposes such as changing a name for Social Security benefits or drivers license. You can also obtain a two seal copy which is generally used for international purposes and immigration.
Over the years, the information required on a marriage application has changed. Traditionally, each applicant's full name, age, residence, occupation and place of birth are contained on a marriage license application. In addition, beginning in 1915, the name of each applicant’s parents as well as their occupations and places of birth are a part of each application.
The Montgomery County Marriage Record Department maintains all marriage records for licenses issued in Montgomery County from 1885 to present. All of these records are open to the public and available for viewing.
The cost for a marriage record varies from county to county. Montgomery County charges, payable by check or money order, are as follows:
| Type of Fee | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| Certified Copy (one seal) | $17 |
| Combination of Application and Certificate (two seal) | $34 |