Marriage records in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, can be accessed through several channels. CarbonCourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for the county. You can also request records directly from the Carbon County Clerk of Orphans' Court, which issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records under Pennsylvania law. Records are available in person at the courthouse in Jim Thorpe, by mail, and — for certain record types — through the Pennsylvania Department of Health's vital records division. Historical records may also be accessible through the Pennsylvania State Archives.
Carbon County Marriage Records Search
In Pennsylvania, marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of Orphans' Court in each county. The Carbon County Clerk of Orphans' Court — housed within the Carbon County Courthouse in Jim Thorpe — is the office responsible for issuing marriage licenses and filing completed marriage certificates. The office maintains records of all marriage licenses applied for and issued in the county, as well as returned marriage certificates documenting ceremonies that have taken place.
The collection includes:
- Marriage license applications
- Issued marriage licenses
- Marriage certificates (returned after the ceremony by the officiant)
- Historical marriage records dating back to the county's formation
For older or genealogical records, the State Library of Pennsylvania's vital records research guide provides additional direction on locating historical marriage data.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Carbon County
Fees for marriage record services in Carbon County are set by the Clerk of Orphans' Court in accordance with Pennsylvania statutory fee schedules. The table below reflects standard county-level fees. Contact the office directly to confirm current amounts before submitting a request.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage license application | $50.00 |
| Certified copy of marriage certificate | $10.00 |
| Each additional certified copy (same order) | $5.00 |
Pennsylvania law requires a three-day waiting period between applying for a marriage license and having it issued. The license is valid for 60 days after issuance. Fees are typically payable by money order or certified check when ordering by mail; in-person payments may also be accepted by cash or personal check. Call ahead to verify accepted payment methods.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Carbon County
There are several ways to obtain a marriage certificate from Carbon County:
In Person
Visit the Clerk of Orphans' Court at the Carbon County Courthouse during regular business hours. Both applicants must appear in person when applying for a marriage license. To request a copy of an existing marriage certificate, bring a valid photo ID and be prepared to pay the applicable fee.
By Mail
To request a certified copy of a marriage certificate by mail, send the following to the Clerk of Orphans' Court at the address above:
- A written request including the full names of both spouses, the approximate date of the marriage, and your relationship to the individuals on the record
- A copy of your valid government-issued photo ID
- A money order or certified check for the appropriate fee (payable to "Carbon County Clerk of Orphans' Court")
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Mail requests are generally processed within one to two weeks, though processing times may vary.
Online — State-Level Requests
The Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, maintains marriage records filed at the state level. You may be able to order certain marriage record copies through the state's vital records ordering system. Note that the state office typically holds records from 1906 forward. For records of marriages that took place in Carbon County, the county Clerk of Orphans' Court remains the primary local source.
For genealogical research involving older records, the Pennsylvania State Archives may hold relevant historical marriage documentation.