The Marriage record request form is the City of Philadelphia Register of Wills form for asking for a copy of a marriage record; if you need a Philadelphia marriage license record, this is the request that produces it. The Register of Wills keeps records of marriage licenses issued in Philadelphia, and the form lets you ask for a certified copy for domestic use or an exemplified copy for international use. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF. The City publishes the original at phila.gov, and the finished request goes to the Marriage Record Dept. in hard copy, as described below.
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What is Marriage record request form – Philadelphia, PA?
The Marriage record request form (printed title: Request a Marriage Record) is the City of Philadelphia Register of Wills form used to ask for a copy of a marriage record, either a certified copy for domestic use or an exemplified copy for international use.
The Register of Wills keeps records of marriage licenses issued in Philadelphia, and this form is how you ask the office for a copy of one. It collects four kinds of information:
- the requestor: name, mailing address, email and phone;
- the record type: CERTIFIED COPY (Domestic) or EXEMPLIFIED COPY (International), with the quantity wanted;
- the date of marriage and the license number, if known;
- the names of the two applicants, each listed with the name used prior to marriage.
The form explains the difference between the two record types. Certified records are accepted for domestic use, such as a name change on a driver's license and a Social Security card. Exemplified records are necessary for international use, such as a visa or dual citizenship.
Fees apply, paid by money order with the request; the form lists them. The form requests a copy of a record already on file. It is not an application for a new marriage license.
Who needs to file Marriage record request form – Philadelphia, PA?
Anyone who needs a copy of a marriage record kept by the Philadelphia Register of Wills completes this form. The form identifies the person making the request as the requestor, and it prints no other eligibility condition.
Which copy you ask for depends on where you will use the record:
- Certified copy (Domestic): for domestic use. The form gives the example of a name change on a driver's license and a Social Security card.
- Exemplified copy (International): for international use. The form gives the examples of a visa and dual citizenship.
You can request more than one copy by entering a quantity on the form.
Do not use this form to apply for a marriage license. It requests a copy of a record of a marriage license that was issued in Philadelphia. For other questions about marriage records, the form gives the Marriage Records Department at (215) 686-2234 and [email protected].
When to file Marriage record request form – Philadelphia, PA
Submit the form whenever you need a copy of a Philadelphia marriage record. The form prints no deadline and no filing window, so the trigger is your need for a certified copy for domestic use or an exemplified copy for international use.
The form states a processing time of 7 to 10 business days for a record request. If the office finds no record, the requestor is notified by letter. Because the request is sent in hard copy with a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment, plan for mailing time on top of the processing time. For questions, contact the Marriage Records Department at (215) 686-2234 or [email protected].
Documents you need
- A self-addressed stamped envelope, enclosed with the request so the office can send back the result or the notice.
- A money order for research, made payable to Clerk of the Orphans' Court; the form lists the amount.
- An additional money order for a certified copy, made payable to Clerk of the Orphans' Court, when you request a certified copy (domestic use).
- An additional money order for an exemplified copy, made payable to Clerk of the Orphans' Court, when you request an exemplified copy (international use).
How to fill out Marriage record request form – Philadelphia, PA
Enter the requestor's details
Under Requestor, write the name of the party making the request, the mailing address, email and phone.
Choose the record type
Mark CERTIFIED COPY (Domestic) if the record is for domestic use, or EXEMPLIFIED COPY (International) if it is for international use such as a visa or dual citizenship.
Enter quantity and date of marriage
Write the number of copies you want in Quantity and the date of the marriage in Date of marriage.
Add the license number if known
In License # (If known), enter the marriage license number. Leave it if you do not have it, since the form asks for it only if known.
List the applicants' names
In the two Applicant name fields, write each spouse's name, using the name each had prior to marriage.
Prepare payment and envelope
Get a self-addressed stamped envelope and the money orders the form calls for, all payable to Clerk of the Orphans' Court: one for research and, when applicable, one for the certified or exemplified copy.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check the names, date and record type, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Assemble the package and submit it as described under How to submit.
How to submit Marriage record request form – Philadelphia, PA
Submit the completed request in hard copy to the Office of the Register of Wills. The form names no online, email or fax channel.
- Address: Office of the Register of Wills, Attention: Marriage Record Dept., City Hall, Room 415, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
- Include with the request: the completed form, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a money order for research. All money orders are made payable to Clerk of the Orphans' Court.
- Additional payment, when applicable: a separate money order for a certified copy, or for an exemplified copy, in addition to the research money order. The form prints the amounts; check them on the form or ask the office.
- Questions: Marriage Records Department, (215) 686-2234 or [email protected].
If no record is found, the requestor is notified by letter. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Sending the request without a self-addressed stamped envelope, which the form lists among the items to include.
- Making a money order payable to anyone other than Clerk of the Orphans' Court.
- Enclosing only the money order for the copy and leaving out the research money order; the copy payment is in addition to the research payment.
- Requesting a certified copy when the record is needed for international use such as a visa or dual citizenship, which calls for an exemplified copy.
- Leaving out the name each applicant used prior to marriage, which the form asks you to list in the Applicant name fields.
- Emailing or otherwise sending the form electronically; the instructions say to submit the completed request in hard copy.
- Addressing the package without Attention: Marriage Record Dept. or City Hall, Room 415.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Philadelphia marriage record request form for?
It is the Register of Wills form for requesting a copy of a marriage record. The office keeps records of marriage licenses issued in Philadelphia, and you ask for either a certified copy for domestic use or an exemplified copy for international use.
Is this the form to get a Philadelphia marriage license?
No. This form requests a copy of a record of a marriage license that was already issued in Philadelphia; it is not a license application. For other questions, contact the Marriage Records Department at (215) 686-2234 or [email protected].
What is the difference between a certified and an exemplified copy?
A certified copy is accepted for domestic use, such as a name change on a driver's license and a Social Security card. An exemplified copy is necessary for international use, such as a visa or dual citizenship. You choose one on the form.
Where do I send the marriage record request form?
Send it in hard copy to Office of the Register of Wills, Attention: Marriage Record Dept., City Hall, Room 415, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Include the completed form, a self-addressed stamped envelope and the required money orders.
How long does a Philadelphia marriage record request take?
The form states a processing time of 7 to 10 business days. If no record is found, the requestor is notified by letter. Questions go to the Marriage Records Department at (215) 686-2234 or [email protected].
Is there a fee, and how do I pay?
Yes. Pay by money order payable to Clerk of the Orphans' Court: one for research, plus one for a certified or an exemplified copy when applicable. The form prints the amounts, so check the form or ask the Marriage Records Department.
Do I need the marriage license number to request a record?
No. The form asks for the license number only if known. You also give the date of marriage and both applicants' names, each listed with the name used prior to marriage.
Can I fill out the marriage record request form online on FillingPDF?
Yes. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the PDF. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not submit the request; you send the hard copy to the Register of Wills yourself.
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