Marriage records in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, are available through several channels. LackawannaCourt.us allows for quick access to public information about marriage records in the county. Additionally, original documents are maintained by the Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans' Court office at the county courthouse. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or through state online portals. Below is a practical guide for searching, ordering copies, and paying fees.
Lackawanna Marriage Records Search
In Pennsylvania, marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Register of Wills office in each county. In Lackawanna County, this function is performed by the Clerk of Orphans' Court / Register of Wills, which keeps the original marriage licenses and returned marriage certificates. The collection includes licenses issued in the county, registered marriage certificates, and historical records dating back to the late 19th century.
The office is located in the Lackawanna County Courthouse building in Scranton.
Office hours typically follow the standard schedule for county offices — Monday through Friday, during business hours. It's advisable to call ahead to confirm the current schedule. Note: the office does not accept credit or debit cards — only cash, money orders, or checks.
For searching court cases, including family cases, you can also use the Lackawanna County public records portal or the UJS Web Portal of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Lackawanna
Fees for marriage documents in Pennsylvania are set at the county level in accordance with state law. Below are estimated fees for Lackawanna County — it is recommended to verify the exact amount with the Register of Wills office.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Marriage License | Check with the office |
| Certified Copy of Marriage Record | Check with the office |
| Additional Copy (in the same order) | Check with the office |
| Search Fee | Check with the office |
The office accepts payment by cash, money order, or check payable to "Register of Wills, Lackawanna County." Credit and debit cards are not accepted. Processing time for requests sent by mail usually takes several business days but may vary depending on the office's workload.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Lackawanna
There are several ways to obtain a copy of a marriage certificate.
In Person
The quickest option is to visit the Register of Wills office directly at the Lackawanna County Courthouse at 200 North Washington Avenue, Scranton. Bring with you:
- A form of identification (driver's license or passport)
- Payment in an acceptable form (cash, money order, check)
An appointment is usually not necessary, but it's best to call ahead.
By Mail
Send a request to the office's address. Include in the letter:
- A written request specifying the full names of the spouses and the approximate date of marriage
- A copy of the applicant's identification
- A check or money order for the appropriate amount
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Forms for requesting a certified copy and genealogical information are available on the Clerk of Orphans' Court page.
Online
At the state level, the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records (PDVR) offers certificate orders through its portal at health.pa.gov. Through PDVR, you can order copies of marriage certificates registered after 1906. Note that the state charges a separate processing and delivery fee, and wait times may be longer than when contacting the county directly.
To view public court records — including family cases — use the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal. And LackawannaCourt.us will help you navigate the available public records of the county.