Welcome! According to Pennsylvania law, parties can solemnize their own marriage in a religious ceremony, without officiating clergy, provided they obtain a self-uniting marriage license and the marriage is witnessed by at least two witnesses. Plan your Allentown wedding using some of the following vendors: Check out more Pennsylvania wedding inspiration here. Check out The Knot Shop for personalized wedding favors, and consider some of these Pennsylvania wedding favors or take-home gifts: There are many beautiful places to say "I do" in PA, but Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Allentown are the most popular. To get married in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, first apply for a marriage license at any clerk of orphans' court office. Typically, couples obtain a marriage license, hold the wedding ceremony, and then have the officiant files the certificate in the appropriate county office within days. If you're at least 18 years old, you may marry if you're competent and not under guardianship. Get Our Wedding Planner App On Your Mobile Device, Mummer's Parade, Philadelphia (January 1), Pennsylvania Farm Show, Harrisburg (early to mid-January), St. Patrick's Day Parade, Philadelphia (mid-March), Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown (late June - early July), Three Rivers Regatta, Pittsburgh (late June - early July), Square Applefest, Franklin (early October), Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, Gettysburg National Military Park Gettysburg, Valley Forge National Historical Park, King of Prussia, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Pittsburgh. Holiday weekends are among some of the most expensive to get married, and they also might require a little more effort on the part of your guests due to heavier numbers of people traveling (but that doesn't mean you should avoid a wedding on one of these dates if that's when you really want to have it). Pennsylvania will only recognize a common-law marriage contracted on or before January 1, 2005. A county employee can officiate, and in some cases another employee can … Getting married in court is a great alternative to the traditional flashy wedding and there are a number of reasons why some couples choose this option. Here's what's going to be hot in 2021. Applicants should take the necessary steps to obtain a Marriage License 2 to 3 weeks before the scheduled date of their marriage ceremony. LOVE LAW TECHNOLOGY LEGAL TECHCheck Out Our Tech Love Story When “Roaming-0 Meets Emoji-et”WE’VE GOT AN INTERESTING STORYJC and Randy Banks.Bankable LoveFIND OUT HOW WEBWED BEGAN ESTABLISH SINCE 2015.Read Our Story Marriage Application & Marriage License E … You do this in the witness of an officiant. The couple must then have the marriage solemnized (i.e., have a ceremony) within 60 days of filing the application. Me and my fiance are planning to do a court marriage in Washington county, PA. We received our marriage license today. how to get married in massachusetts without a ceremony. Couples in the Keystone State use the diversity of Pennsylvania's wedding venues to design a wedding that appeals directly to their tastes. Getting married without an officiant is possible in two different ways. The person who performed the ceremony has 10 days to send the license back to the city or town where it was issued, and the clerk will file the original. That means no third party is required for you two lovebirds to tie the knot officially. §§1502-1504. Arrive no later than 30 minutes before closing time. It's clear that the cost for a Pennsylvania wedding depends on where you live, but it also helps to have a good idea of what you can expect to spend on individual vendors. The sixth most populous state, Pennsylvania has a host of wedding venues that are as varied as its residents, with locations ranging from elegant hotels to industrial brewhouses and rustic barns. The individuals must also have no mistaken ideas as to the nature of the union. Your marriage license will become active three days after you apply. Applicants between 16-18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to provide written consent to the marriage. Your birth certificate may be asked for if you do not have a social security number. If the applicant isn't competent they can't get a marriage license without a court order. Outside of the ceremony and reception, your guests will have no shortage of activities to do and see. Love is not canceled, neither is your planning. Marriage law does not distinguish among whole-, half-, and non-blood relations. Look to The Knot for local details about getting married in Pennsylvania, from choosing your wedding venue to getting your marriage license. The unique Pennsylvania license, which is a Quaker tradition, allows people to marry themselves without an officiant, just witnesses. 201 W. Front St. Media, PA 19063. Marriage Ceremony Officiants. Legal age to apply for a marriage license in Pennsylvania is 18 Under PA Marriage License laws Requirements. Parents and guardians, bring ID and your child's birth certificate or guardianship proof. 23 Pa.C.S.A. Allentown has many wedding venues to offer prospective couples, from the tranquil setting of the Iron Lakes Country Club to the chic, urban style of Allentown Brew Works and a variety of beautiful vineyards. If you do not obtain a marriage license, you can still have a ceremony, but it will not have any bearing on your legal status as a couple. For couples who want to skip a formal marriage ceremony, usually their first thought is to just get a marriage license, go to city hall and get married by a judge, magistrate or mayor. Want to get married in one of Pennsylvania's beautiful state parks? Spring and winter still trail far behind with only 7 percent of Philly couples choosing a winter wedding. The fee does not apply to active duty military. Once you have your license and have waited 72 hours, you can legally marry. If you're 16 or 17 years old, your custodial parent or legal guardian must consent to your marriage. Read more about them below, and visit our vendor marketplace to find your team of pros. Securing a Pennsylvania marriage license isn't a difficult task, and it may be one of the easiest things you check off your to-do list, but don't procrastinate, since it's really the one detail you don't want to forget. While it's another thing to add to your to-do list, the process is painless if you use HitchSwitch, a name changing service. While Pennsylvania wedding venues offer scenic views, historic elements and a relaxing feel, guests might not be as comfortable as you hope if you inadvertently plan your wedding the same time as a major event. Philly is famous for its cheesesteaks, so incorporating this classic sandwich into your Pennsylvania wedding in some way is a must. When applying, you need a photo ID; a fee is also charged, but this amount varies by county. Marriage Age Requirements Pennsylvania: Get Copy Of Birth Certificate Applicants must be 18 years of age in order to apply for a marriage license. We got "weddinged" without getting legally married at that time, due to some snafus with the birth certificate and the marriage licence. A marriage license may have a time-limit or validity period. Keep the original. Non-U.S. citizens are free to wed in Pennsylvania. STEP 4: GET MARRIED. The Basics of Getting a Pennsylvania Marriage License. A self-unitizing or Quaker marriage license may cost an extra $100 or more. The Knot 2015 Real Wedding Survey reveals that Philadelphia residents overwhelmingly opt for a semiformal or black tie affair, with 92 percent choosing this type of wedding. But if you want to do things on your own, read through our guide to changing your name first. And, perhaps more than most other states, your location within Pennsylvania plays a big role in the trends and traditions you can expect with your nuptials. We got "weddinged" without getting legally married at that time, due to some snafus with the birth certificate and the marriage licence. Once you make your own wedding website, you can put all of your travel information online, making it easy for guests to access at any time. Every culture has an event, action, covenant, vow, or proclamation that is recognized as declaring a man and woman to be married. Civil weddings are typically held at the local city hall in front of a judge and do require at least two witnesses to be present. §1502) which provides fo… Overall, fewer Pennsylvanians are saying "I do," with 5.8 out of every 1,000 people getting married, compared with the national average of 6.8 out of 1,000. Together. Don't be! WHEN LOVE CAN'T WAIT Read Our Story #1 App and Source to get Married Online! You may not marry your first cousin in Pennsylvania. Those without a marriage license in hand will need to wait for the Register of Wills office to reopen to retrieve a wedding certificate. There are typically two types of ceremonies where you can marry without an officiant: a civil wedding and a self-uniting marriage. From Lemon Hill Mansion and Stotesbury Mansion to Bartram's Garden and Christ Church, to-be-weds can find historic venues for any type of wedding. Ceremony A license issued by any Pennsylvania county can be used in any Pennsylvania county, however, the license is invalid outside of Pennsylvania. If you choose a winter wedding, plan accordingly, especially if you're picking a northwest Pennsylvania wedding location where there's likely to be lake-effect snow. If you don't want to offer it to guests at your actual reception, serve it as a special lunch for out-of-towners, or bring them to both Pat's King of Steaks and Geno's Steaks and let them decide which one is best. In order to get married in Pennsylvania, you and your significant other must be at least 18 years-old with a government-issued photo ID as evidence of age, or follow the procedures for an underage marriage. “With no waiting period, you can decide to get married the same day. Located on Pennsylvania's western border, Pittsburgh is a very popular wedding destination. Bring a certified copy of your divorce decree if your last marriage ended in divorce. Applicants should take the necessary steps to obtain a Marriage License 2 to 3 weeks before the scheduled date of their marriage ceremony. A wedding is held for personal or religious reasons to celebrate your union in front of many witnesses. Before signing a contract with any wedding venue, check to see if there are any special requirements or ordinances you need to know, especially in regards to noise, alcohol or guest parking. We scouted the Bridal Fashion Week runways to find the trends you need to know. Most counties will issue you your marriage license the day you apply, but a few will make you wait three days. Embrace the spirit and check to see if there are any home games your guests can catch while in town for your wedding. So i joined the army and was stationed in alaska but my girlfriend still lives in texas so we decided that we want to get married but i have no idea how to go about that since we live so far apart now. After the waiting period, the marriage license can be mailed directly to the applicants, at no additional cost. While the average reception venue costs $11,667 in central Pennsylvania, folks in Philadelphia are paying almost twice as much, with averages falling at $21,022. Typically, couples obtain a marriage license, hold the wedding ceremony, and then have the officiant files the certificate in the appropriate county office within days. If you want to get married in the United States, the first thing you need to do is to apply for a marriage license. Top picks include the Independence Visitor Center, Liberty Bell Center, Carpenter's Hall and the Independence Seaport Museum. Look into Pennsylvania’s self-uniting marriage license (see code 23 Pa. C.S.A. The actress married the 'SNL' writer amid COVID-19. You do not need to have a wedding ceremony to be legally married, and you do not have to be legally married to have a wedding ceremony. You may find blank parental consent forms at the clerk of orphans' court office. Is a person with dementia permitted to marry in Pennsylvania ?? Bring a certified copy of your ex's death certificate if your last marriage ended in death. Download for iOS: Wedding Planner App by The Knot, Download for Android: The Knot Wedding Planner. You can contact the Court of Common Pleas about available judges and if an appointment is required. When applying, you need a photo ID; a fee is also charged, but this amount varies by county. You may not marry your parent, child, sibling, aunt, uncle, or first cousin. The only people who "know" about that are my and his parents, and the wedding party, mostly because we needed to explain to our witnesses why they wouldn't be signing any paperwork. Take your marriage license to a judge to become married in the eyes of the law while having your own ceremony for your friends and family 3. In between dress shopping and scoping out venues, there's paperwork that needs to be finished before your wedding day. Consider adding potpie to your menu. You do not need to have a wedding ceremony to be legally married, and you do not have to be legally married to have a wedding ceremony. If not, just the officiant signs. Visitors can tour the city by boat, trolley or even Segway, getting a unique chance to view the heart of Steel Valley. If you want a religious officiant at your ceremony, you may be able to find a clergy person who will perform a religious marriage ceremony (or other type of religious “union”) without requiring that you get legally married. Also, the license expires after 30 days, which means you either have to re-\apply or call for extension. Finally, let's not forget the southwest corner of the state. A wedding is a ceremony typically held to publicly recognize a marriage. The state and its counties do not register or vouch for officiants. When getting married in a different state, couples must make sure that their choice of an officiant is a person who can legally perform weddings in that state. Posted on 02.01.2021 by 02.01.2021 by Active duty members of the U.S. military may forward an absentee affidavit form. Alternatively, you can pick it up in person at the Marriage License Bureau. End the day at Penn's Landing on the Delaware River, where you can find a host of restaurants, parks and family-friendly attractions. A marriage certificate is a document that proves you're married. Add some Pennsylvania snacks like Utz Pretzels or a six-pack of Yuengling beer into a welcome pack. 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