How To Get Your Marriage License at Philadelphia City Hall
A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Marriage License
at Philadelphia City Hall
If you just got engaged in Philadelphia, you might be going right into the wedding planning mode! This is an exciting and fun time, and there are also lots of things to think about, decisions to make, and logistics to plan your day. One of the things you have to do in order to get married is get your marriage license. This may not be the first thing that comes to mind when wedding planning, but it is an important step and is a must-do in order to get legally married. Getting your marriage license allows you to get married. It doesn’t mean you are married. If you live in Philadelphia, you will likely head to Philadelphia City Hall to get your marriage license. There are some important things to keep in mind and plan for when going through this process. In this blog post, I will share a step-by-step guide to getting your Marrigne License at Philadelphia City Hall. I hope it helps answer some questions you may have. For all the most up-to-date info, you can contact the Marriage License Department directly at (215) 686-2233, or you can visit their official city website.
Let’s start by covering some of the basics: the who, the where, and the when.
Where:
City Hall
1400 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Room 413
Philadelphia, PA 19107
* You will have to present your photo ID and go through security to enter the building
When:
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m
Who:
Both people getting married must appear together in person with the proper documentation.
* Since you will be going together and in Philadelphia, you could make it into a fun outing and celebrate with brunch, lucnh or a glass of champagne to commemorate that you are one step closer to officially tying the knot.
What to Bring:
All applicants must bring two forms of ID, one of which must be a photo ID.
(Visit the official city website for which types of ID are needed/accepted) You will want to come prepared with everything you need in hand.
Photo ID
Acceptable forms of ID include:
Driver’s licenses
State-issued photo IDs
International driver’s licenses
U.S. or international passports
Military IDs
PHL City IDs
Secondary ID
Acceptable documentation includes:
Social Security cards
Social Security printouts
ITIN documents from the IRS
Pay stubs
W-2 forms
Income tax returns
Special Cases
You will need to bring additional documentation if you were married before or had a previous name change! It’s important to have all the necessary documents with you when you go in, so if you have any special circumstances, reach out to them ahead of time to find out if there is anything else that would be helpful or necessary for you to bring, and to learn more about special circumstances that would require additional documentation.
Cost
$90.00 for a regular marriage license
$100.00 for Quaker or self-uniting licenses
* They accept payment with Visa, Mastercard, or money order at the time of your appointment. Important to note that they do not accept cash or personal checks.
The Quaker or self-uniting License allows you to get married without an officiant. The couple can get married with two adult witnesses. This is only allowed in some sates and PA happens to be one of them. To learn more about this unique type of marriage license, check out this blog post all about the Self Uniting Marriage License.
Important Notes:
Good News!
With all proper documents, you will receive your license at the end of your visit.
Waiting Period and Expiration:
It is important that you know that once you receive your marriage license, there is a 3-day waiting period before the license is valid and you can use it. Your marriage license will be valid on the third day after you apply, and will expire 60 days from the date issued. It is important to keep this in mind when planning your wedding. You will have to be sure that you are getting married within that legal window, so keep these restrictions in mind when planning your wedding ceremony and deciding when you will go to get your license.
Getting your certified copy of the marriage license
Once you actually get married, you go back in with the completed document to get a “certified copy of the marriage license.” Don’t forget to do this important step! Just getting your marriage license does not mean you are legally married.
Restrictions:
If you get a marriage license in the state of Pennsylvania, you can only use it in the state of Pennsylvania (your marriage ceremony must be in PA). If your wedding venue is out of state for your ceremony, you would not be able to use a license that you got at Philadelphia City Hall.
Just a reminder, for any questions and for all the most accurate and up-to-date information, go to the official city website or call them at (215) 686-2233
Getting Married at Philadelphia City Hall
If you want to get married at Philadelphia City Hall, there is that option too. There are some more steps to follow to secure a time slot for that, and it takes a little bit of planning. To learn more about that option, check out the post 8 Tips for your Philadelphia City Hall Wedding.
Wedding Planning
I hope this is helpful info on how to get a marriage license at Philadelphia City Hall. For more wedding planning tips for getting married in Philadelphia, I invite you to check out some of the other blog posts I have, which cover everything from finding the right wedding venue to planning your wedding day timeline. Here are a few must-reads:
Unconventional Philadelphia Wedding Venues
Should I have a First Look on My Wedding Day
Wedding Photography
As a Philadelphia wedding photographer, I have learned a lot about weddings in the city and would be happy to chat with you about what your vision is for your wedding day. I would love to share my photography packages with you and encourage you to visit my blog to see other weddings I have photographed. You can reach out to me by filling out the contact form for Heidi Roland Photography. I look forward to hearing from you!
