How to Get Married in Pennsylvania

Named for the famous Quaker William Penn, Pennsylvania is perhaps best known for its Quaker and Amish populations. It is also home to two of the largest cities on the East Coast: Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Follow these instructions to get married in Pennsylvania.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Marriage license
• Identification

1. Get a marriage license. The price varies depending on which county you are in, but they tend to be about $40 (see Resources below).
2. Find somebody to perform the ceremony. In Pennsylvania, you can have an ordained member of the clergy perform the ceremony. Or, if you prefer, you can have a public official (like an appointed deputy, county clerk or a judge) perform the ceremony.
3. Settle on a date. Decide the season you want to be married in, then choose a month. Leave some leeway, though, so that when you’re reserving the venue you have flexibility if your preferred date is taken.
4. Find a place for the ceremony. Choose it together if it’s possible. There are numerous churches to choose from, including those located in beautiful parts of the larger Pennsylvania cities or the countryside (see Resources below).
5. Plan the particulars. Figure out decorations and entertainment for the reception. Make arrangents fore the cake and other refreshments.

Tips & Warnings

• Common-law marriages are not legal in the state of Pennsylvania.
• Always reserve the venue as early as possible. Once you’ve settled on a date and a place to have the ceremony, the very next step should be to call and reserve it.
• Marriage to a descendent or other blood relative (including cousins) is not legal in the state of Pennsylvania.
• Marriage licenses have a standard 3-day waiting period associated with them. Plan for this in advance by securing your license well before the date of the ceremony.

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