Marriage records in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, are available through several channels. LehighCourt.us allows you to start searching for public marriage records online. Additionally, documents are maintained by the Clerk of Orphans' Court at the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas — this office in Pennsylvania is responsible for issuing marriage licenses and registering certificates. Requests can be submitted in person at the courthouse, by mail, or through the state's Department of Health online portal.
Lehigh Marriage Records Search
In Pennsylvania, marriage licenses are issued and maintained by the Clerk of Orphans' Court in the county where the couple applied. In Lehigh County, this function is performed by the office at the Court of Common Pleas, located in the courthouse in Allentown. The collection includes marriage licenses, returned marriage certificates, and applications submitted by couples since the county's establishment. Records after 1906 are also maintained by the Division of Vital Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health at the state level.
To search for court cases related to marriage or divorce, you can use the Unified Judicial System portal, which provides free access to information on general jurisdiction court cases.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Lehigh
The fees are set according to the schedule approved by the Clerk of Judicial Records of Lehigh County and Pennsylvania legislation. Below are approximate fees — check the current amounts directly with the clerk's office.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Marriage license application | $50.00 |
| Certified copy of marriage certificate | $10.00 |
| Additional certified copy (in the same order) | $5.00 |
| Search fee | Included in the cost of the copy |
Copies at the state level through the Division of Vital Records are priced differently — usually $20.00 for the first copy. The processing time for requests at the county office typically ranges from one to several business days for in-person requests. Mail requests take longer.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Lehigh
There are several ways to obtain a copy of a marriage certificate registered in Lehigh County.
In Person
Visit the Clerk of Orphans' Court at the address listed above. Bring with you:
- A valid photo ID;
- Information about the spouses — full names, approximate date of marriage;
- Payment by check, money order, or cash (confirm acceptable payment forms in advance).
Copies are usually issued the same day or within a few business days.
By Mail
Send a written request to the clerk's office address. Include in your letter:
- Full names of both individuals who were married.
- Approximate date of marriage.
- Purpose of the request.
- A copy of your ID.
- A check or money order for the appropriate amount, payable to Lehigh County Clerk of Orphans' Court.
- A self-addressed stamped envelope.
Online (State Level)
The Pennsylvania Department of Health accepts online orders for certified copies of marriage certificates registered after 1906. Go to the Vital Records page and select the appropriate section. Online orders are processed through a third-party service, so the cost may be higher than that charged by the county office. Expedited processing options are also available for an additional fee.
If you need to find publicly available information about marriage records before submitting an official request, use LehighCourt.us — it's a convenient starting point for searching public records in the county. For obtaining public court records of another nature, the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania portal is available.