Marriage records in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, are available through several channels. MercerCourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly available information about marriage records in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained directly from the office of the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court, which issues marriage licenses and keeps the original documents. Access is also possible in person, by mail, or through state online portals.
Mercer Marriage Records Search
In Mercer County, the office of the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court is responsible for issuing marriage licenses and maintaining marriage records. This office is part of the county's judicial system and is under the jurisdiction of the Court of Common Pleas of Mercer County. The collection includes marriage licenses issued in the county, returned marriage certificates, and historical records preserved since the county's establishment. According to Pennsylvania law, marriage licenses are issued at the county level, and applicants must apply in person at the Clerk's Office.
For genealogy research or searching for old records, a useful resource is the Vital Records guide of the Pennsylvania State Library, which describes which records are kept at the county level and which at the state level.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Mercer
The cost of services depends on the type of copy and the number of copies. Below is an approximate fee table set by the Register of Wills office of Mercer County. It is recommended to verify the exact amounts directly with the office, as fees may change according to state legislation.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Marriage License | Verify with the Register of Wills office |
| Certified Copy | Verify with the Register of Wills office |
| Additional Certified Copy (in one order) | Usually lower than the first copy |
| Search Fee | May be charged separately |
In Pennsylvania, fees for marriage licenses and copies are set separately by each county in accordance with state statutes. The processing time for a request in person is usually the same day. Mail requests may take from one to several weeks. To confirm current rates, call 724-662-3800.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Mercer
You can order a copy of a marriage certificate in several ways.
In Person
Visit the Register of Wills office at:
You need to have a valid photo ID with you. Payment is accepted on-site — check acceptable forms of payment in advance.
By Mail
Send a written request to the office address. Include in the letter:
- Full names of the spouses and approximate date of marriage.
- A copy of your photo ID.
- A check or money order payable to the Register of Wills of Mercer County.
- A self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE).
Online
At the state level, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (Division of Vital Records) accepts orders for some records through its portal. However, marriage licenses in Pennsylvania are issued and stored exclusively at the county level, so for obtaining a certified copy, it is most reliable to contact the Mercer County Clerk's office directly. If you are looking for public records online, MercerCourt.us can help find available information about county marriage records.
You can also request public documents through the Mercer County Right-to-Know office in accordance with the Right-to-Know Law (Act 3 of 2008). This law gives citizens the right to request access to government documents without the need to prove that the record is public.