Pennsylvania State Marriage Records

By Claire Dowell


Notably, Pennsylvania is one of the earliest settled areas of the United States. In fact, a couple of American genealogists can trace their family as living in this state at some point of time. Accordingly, Pennsylvania Marriage Records is one of the oldest in the nation and is deemed significant in researching a family tree.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of America. It is famous for its five nicknames; namely, the Keystone State, Quaker State, Coal State, Oil State and the State of Independence. Recent statistics has tallied more than 6 million people living in this region; the 6th-largest in the entire U.S. This place was originally claimed by both the Dutch and the Swedes, but it was granted a land in 1681.

In 1885, the formal recording of marriages began in this state. Marriage reports filed prior to this year are accessible at church archives. However, religious files are listed in groups and seldom in one specific location. Public recordings, online or offline, are other good resources for this document. Moreover, a list of marriages that took place in this state from 1885-1951 is accessible online. The State Archives also stores nuptial images dated 1885-1889.

Currently, the state's central repository for public records is the Division of Vital Records of the State Department of Health. However, the Marriage License Clerk for the County Court House in the county that issued the marriage license is the agency authorized to provide marriage reports. A service fee is required, but the information per se is cost-free.

Today, there are varied reasons behind anyone's quest for this file. Primarily, it is essential in studying family history. Furthermore, this can be used to verify the present marital status of a certain person, whether a future spouse or a date. In addition, such file is a great support for any legal cases such as proving identity or investigating a divorce case.

The validity of marriage is represented by Marriage License Records. Thus, this information is likewise essential in backing up several legal proceedings. Normally, the involved couple, as well as the solemnizing officer and the local government are provided with copies of this said file. Nowadays, obtaining this kind of data can be much easier and quicker by trusting those commercial service providers online. Although it necessitates a small amount of charge, it guarantees to deliver satisfactory results that are worth the cost you've paid for.




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