Chester County marriage license: hours, fee and what to bring
In Chester County, Pennsylvania, the marriage license comes from Marriage License Department-Chester County Courthouse, at Chester County Justice Center, 201 W. Market Street, Suite 2200, West Chester, PA 19380-0989. The posted license fee is $75, and the office is by appointment only. Posted hours: Mon and Tue 8:30 am to 4 pm; Wed 8:30 am to 6 pm; Thu and Fri 8:30 am to 4 pm.
Open the issuing office's page (chesco.org)
Office hours and address
Marriage License Department-Chester County Courthouse
Chester County Justice Center, 201 W. Market Street, Suite 2200, West Chester, PA 19380-0989Phone: 610-344-6395
Appointment required.
| Mon and Tue | 8:30 am to 4 pm |
|---|---|
| Wed | 8:30 am to 6 pm |
| Thu and Fri | 8:30 am to 4 pm |
Not listed: Saturday and Sunday.
Source: chesco.org, checked
Fee and payment
Expect to pay $75 for the license, per the office's own page.
| standard marriage license | $75.00 |
|---|
Source: chesco.org, checked
Before you go, call about the differing accepted payment.
- credit card (2.25% processing fee, $1.50 minimum), debit card (2.25% processing fee, $1.50 minimum)
Source: chesco.org, checked
- cash (not accepted during extended Wednesday hours), credit card ($1.69 processing fee; required during extended Wednesday hours)
Source: chesco.org, checked
- cash, credit card
Source: chesco.org, checked
Pennsylvania state rules
The items below are set by the state. They are summarized from the cited page and do not replace it.
- License validity
- 60 days Source: legis.state.pa.us, checked
How Chester compares
At $75, the fee is lower than the median of $90 across 3 covered counties (Pennsylvania). For visits, this county's page says the office is by appointment only. Chester does not list Saturday hours. 0 of 1 comparable covered counties list a Saturday opening. Added together, the posted days come to roughly 39.5 hours a week.
What to bring and who must come
Documents named on the county page:
- photo ID
Source: chesco.org, checked
Call ahead: sources differ on the rule on who must appear.
- Both people appear in person. A possible exception may apply to an applicant in Active Military Service.
Source: chesco.org, checked
- Both people appear in person.
Source: chesco.org, checked
Waiting period. The county page states a waiting period of 3 days before the license can be used.
Source: chesco.org, checked
Validity. The county page says the license is valid for 60 days.
Source: chesco.org, checked
Nearby covered counties
Distances are straight-line from the middle of the county, not driving routes. Many states let you apply in any county, so a neighbor can be an option; check the state rules above and the neighbor's own page.
- Lancaster County, PA: about 27 mi, fee $75, walk-ins accepted, no Saturday hours listed
- Philadelphia County, PA: about 33 mi, fee $90, walk-ins accepted, no Saturday hours listed
- Baltimore County, MD: about 59 mi, fee $35, no Saturday hours listed
- Anne Arundel County, MD: about 80 mi, fee $55, no Saturday hours listed
Call ahead before you go
Fees, hours and appointment rules change, and offices close for holidays and training days. We last checked these facts on . The office phone number on its page is 610-344-6395. Confirm with the office, and if something here is out of date, report a change.