Marriage records in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, are available through several channels. AlleghenyPACourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information as a starting point. You can also request records directly from the issuing authority — the Allegheny County Office of the Register of Wills / Clerk of the Orphans' Court — in person at the county courthouse or by mail. Online search tools, walk-in visits, and mailed requests each offer a way to locate or obtain copies of marriage licenses and certificates filed in the county.
Allegheny County Marriage Records Search
In Pennsylvania, marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of the Orphans' Court in the county where the license is applied for. In Allegheny County, this function is handled by the Register of Wills / Clerk of the Orphans' Court Division, which operates within the Allegheny County Department of Court Records. The office maintains marriage license applications, issued marriage licenses, and marriage certificates returned after the ceremony.
Historical marriage records for Allegheny County date back to the mid-1800s. More recent records are generally searchable through the county's electronic systems, while older records may require an in-person or staff-assisted search. The collection includes:
- Marriage license applications
- Issued marriage licenses
- Marriage certificates (returned and filed after the ceremony)
Register of Wills / Clerk of the Orphans' Court
Walk-ins are accepted during regular business hours. It is advisable to call ahead if you need assistance with older or hard-to-locate records.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Allegheny County
Fees for marriage record services in Allegheny County are set by the Register of Wills / Clerk of the Orphans' Court in accordance with Pennsylvania statutory fee schedules. The following table reflects commonly applicable fees — confirm current amounts directly with the office, as fees may be updated periodically.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage license application | $50.00 |
| Certified copy of marriage certificate | $10.00 |
| Additional certified copy (same order) | $5.00 |
| Search fee (if no record found) | Varies — contact office |
Pennsylvania does not generally distinguish between "certified" and "informational" copies at the county level for marriage records. Certified copies bear the seal of the Clerk of the Orphans' Court and are accepted for legal purposes. Processing for in-person requests is typically same-day if the record is readily available. Mail requests may take one to two weeks depending on volume.
You can also obtain certified marriage records from the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records for marriages recorded at the state level. The Pennsylvania Department of Health – Vital Records office charges its own fee schedule, which differs from the county's.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Allegheny County
There are three primary ways to order a marriage certificate from Allegheny County:
Online
The Pennsylvania Department of Health offers an online ordering portal for vital records, including marriage certificates, through its authorized vendor. Visit the PA Department of Health marriage certificate page to place an order. Note that online orders through the state may carry additional processing and shipping fees beyond the base certification cost.
For county-level case searches, the Allegheny County Department of Court Records search portal may allow you to verify basic case information. However, ordering certified copies of marriage certificates typically requires contacting the Register of Wills office directly.
In Person
Visit the Register of Wills / Clerk of the Orphans' Court at the Allegheny County Courthouse:
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order — call ahead to confirm whether credit or debit cards are accepted. Certified copies are often available the same day for records in the electronic system.
By Mail
To request a marriage certificate by mail, send the following to the office address above:
- A written request including the full names of both spouses, the approximate date of the marriage, and your relationship to the individuals on the record
- A photocopy of your valid government-issued photo ID
- A check or money order payable to "Register of Wills" for the applicable fee
- A self-addressed stamped envelope for return of the certified copy
Mail requests are typically processed within one to two weeks. If the office cannot locate a record, they may contact you or return your payment minus any applicable search fee.
For questions about record availability or specific requirements, call the Register of Wills office at (412) 350-4224 before submitting your request. AlleghenyPACourt.us also provides additional guidance on locating Allegheny County court records and related public information.