Marrying and Sponsoring an American Citizen from Pennsylvania
Listen to this articleMarriage to a Pennsylvanian
This page describes how to marry in Pennsylvania and how to sponsor your Pennsylvanian spouse for permanent residence in Canada.
If you want to bring your American spouse or partner to live in Canada, you must then file a sponsorship application for them to become a permanent resident. For more information, please see our family sponsorship page.
Processing Time
If you file a Canadian sponsorship application for your American spouse or partner, this application takes an average of 15 months (as of June 2016). If you are sponsoring your American spouse “inland,” the process will take over two years.
Please see our pages on family sponsorship for more information on the processing times of these applications.
Pennylvania's Marriage Basic Requirements
In Pennsylvania, as with all US States, you need to apply for a marriage license and register your marriage with the local (county) authorities. Pennsylvania counties have a special marriage office in each county, called the Marriage License Bureau of the Register of Wills. The cost varies, and other requirements may as well.
The legal age to marry in Pennsylvania is only 15. If younger than 15, you’ll need a birth certificate and a parent or guardian to provide in-person consent for the application for a license.
The marriage license fee depends on the county, so make sure you contact them before showing up.
You will need to make sure you have the right documents for the county you are marrying in. Take your passport and all of the documents you brought with you from Canada with you to the court house or county clerk’s office. Your Pennsylvania spouse needs to present their passport, birth certificate and proof of single status.
Some offices requirement appointments so contact them before you go.
In Pennsylvania, there is a 3 day waiting period for the license after you have submitted the application. Moreover, you will have to come back to the Marriage Bureau in order to get it:
| Date Application Submitted | Pick up Date (on or after) |
|---|---|
| Monday | Thursday |
| Tuesday | Friday |
| Wednesday | Monday |
| Thursday | Monday |
| Friday | Monday |
Once the license is issued, you will have 60 days to marry.
Documents required from the Canadian Spouse
- Statement in Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad
- Original valid Canadian passport
- Original birth certificate
- Original death certificate of deceased spouse if widowed
- Original divorce decree or annulment papers if divorced
Documents required form the American Spouse
- Original valid driver’s license
- Original birth certificate
- Original death certificate of deceased spouse if widowed
- Original divorce decree or annulment papers if divorced
- Social Security Number
Once you have your marriage license, you have 60 days to have the marriage ceremony.
Family Members
Having children does not affect the application for a Marriage License in Pennsylvania.
County Clerks
Payment methods vary by county. Always contact the clerk before going to the office to make sure you have the right payment method.
| County | Register of Wills Address | Phone Number | Cost | Method of Payment | Hours | Appointment Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County | Register & Clerk of Orphans’ Court 117 Baltimore St., Room 103 Gettysburg PA 17325 |
717.337.9806 | $60.00 | Any | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:00PM | Book your appointment online |
| Allegheny County | Marriage License Bureau 1st Floor 414 Grant Street Pittsburgh PA 15219-2741 |
(412) 350-4230 | $80.00 | Cash ONLY | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30AM-4:00PM Wednesday: 8:30AM-7:30PM |
None needed |
| Armstrong County | Clerk of Orphans Court 500 East Market Street Kittanning PA 16201 |
724-548-3256 | $66.00 | Cash ONLY | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-3:00PM | None needed |
| Beaver County | Register of Wills 810 Third St 1st floor Beaver, PA 15009 |
724-770-4548 | $65.00 | Cash ONLY | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Bedford County | Register of Wills 203 South Juliana Street Bedford, PA 15522 |
814-623-4833 | $45.00 | Call to Confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Berks County | Register of Wills 633 Court St., 2nd floor Reading, PA 19601 |
610-478-6617 | $55.00 | Call to Confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-5:00PM | Book your appointment here |
| Blair County | Prothonotary Office 423 Allegheny St., #144 Hollidaysburg, PA 16648 |
814-693-3080 | $48.00 | Call to Confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-3:30PM | Call to confirm |
| Bradford County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 301 Main St.M Towanda, PA 18848 |
570-265-1702 | $46.00 | Call to Confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM | Call to confirm |
| Bucks County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 55 East Court Street 3rd Floor, Administration Building Doylestown, PA 18901 |
215-348-6271 | $60.00 | Cash (additional fee for money order) | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM | Book the appointment |
| Butler County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court Government Center, Level L 124 West Diamond St. Butler, PA 16001 |
724-284-5379 | $60.00 | Cash ONLY | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM | None needed |
| Cambria County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 200 South Center Street Ebensburg, PA 15931 |
814-472-5440, ext. 243 | $45.00 | Cash ONLY | Monday to Friday: 9:00AM-3:30PM | None needed |
| Cameron County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 20 East Fifth Street Emporium, PA 15834 |
814-486-3349 ext. 3 | $40.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM | Call to see whether or not an appointment is needed |
| Carbon County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 1 Hazard Square, 1st floor Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 |
570-325-2261 | $50.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM | Call to see whether or not an appointment is needed |
| Centre County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 414 Holmes St., Suite #2 Willow Bank Office Building Bellefonte, PA 16823 |
$50.00 | Cash, check or money order | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-5:00PM | None needed | |
| Chester County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 201 West Market Street Suite 2200 West Chester, PA 19380 |
610-344-6335 | $75.00 | Cash ONLY | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM | None needed |
| Clarion County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 421 Main Street Suite 24 Clarion, PA 16214 |
814-226-4000 ext. 2500 | $40.00 | Cash or check | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Clearfield County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 1 North Second Street Suite #103 Clearfield, PA 16830 |
814-765-2641 ext. 8 | $25.00 | Cash ONLY | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Clinton County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 230 East Water Street Lock Haven, PA 17745 |
570-893-4010 | $35.00 | Cash or check | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00AM-5:00PM Wednesday: 8:00AM-12:00PM |
None needed |
| Columbia Count | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 35 West Main Street Bloomsburg, PA 17815 |
570-389-5615 | $44.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:30PM | Call to see whether or not an appointment is needed |
| Crawford County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 903 Diamond Park Meadville, PA 16335 |
814-333-7442 | $57.50 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:30PM | Call to see whether or not an appointment is needed |
| Cumberland County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 1 Courthouse Square, Room 102 Carlisle, PA 17013 |
717-240-6345 888-697-0371 x 6345 | $50.00 | Cash ONLY | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Dauphin County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 101 Market St. 1st floor, Room 103 Harrisburg, PA 17101 |
717-780-6506 | $60.00 | Cash or money order | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:30PM | Book your appointment here |
| Delaware County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 201 West Front Street Government Center Building Media, PA 19063 |
610-891-4548 | $60.00 | Cash, credit or debit (extra fee for credit or debit) |
Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:00PM | Not needed |
| Elk County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 240 Main Street Ridgeway, PA 15853 |
814-776-5349 | $35.00 | Call to Confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:00PM | Call to confirm |
| Erie County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 140 West Sixth Street Room 123 Erie, PA 16501 |
814.451.6264 | $45.00 | Cash only | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Fayette County | Register of Wills 61 East Main Street Uniontown, PA 15401 |
724-430-1206 | $40.00 | Cash only | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-12:00PM 1:00PM-3:45PM |
None needed |
| Forest County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 526 Elm Street #2 Tionesta, PA 16353 |
814-755-3526 | $40.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 9:00AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Franklin County | Clerk of Orphan’s Court Office 157 Lincoln Way East Chambersburg, PA 17201 |
717-261-3805 | $50.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM | None needed |
| Fulton County | Prothonotary Office 201 North Second Street McConnellsburg, PA 17233 |
717-485-4212 | $45.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM | None needed |
| Greene County | Clerk of Courts 10 East High Street Waynesburg, PA 15370 |
724-852-5281 or 724-852-5282 | $31.00 | Cash only | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM | None needed |
| Huntingdon County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 223 Penn Street Huntingdon, PA 16652 |
814-643-2740 | $30.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM | Call to confirm |
| Indiana County | Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts 825 Philadelphia Street Indiana, PA 15701 |
724-465-3860 | $45.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:00PM | Call to confirm |
| Jefferson County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 200 Main Street Brookville, PA 15825 |
(814) 849-1610 | $45.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:00PM | Call to confirm |
| Juaniata County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 1 North Main Street Mifflintown, PA 17059 |
717-436-7709 | $45.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:30PM Closes at Noon on Wednesdays between June and September |
Call to confirm |
| Lackawanna County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court Scranton Electric Building 507 Linden St., Suite 400 Scranton, PA 18503 |
570-963-6702 | $55.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 9:30AM-3:30PM Some Thursdays have extended hours |
Book appointment at this site |
| Lancaster County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 50 North Duke St., 2nd floor Lancaster, PA 17602 |
717-295-3533 | $60.00 | Cash ONLY | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:15PM | None available |
| Lawrence County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 430 Court Street New Castle, PA 16101 |
724-658-2541 | $51.00 | Call to Confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:00PM | Call to Confirm |
| Lebanon County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 400 South Eighth St., Room 105 Lebanon, PA 17042 |
717-228-4415 | $70.00 | No personal checks | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:15PM | Call to Confirm |
| Lehigh County | Orphans’ Court Division 455 West Hamilton Street Room 123.5 Allentown, PA 18105 |
610-782-3173 | $50.00 | Call to Confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:00PM | Call to Confirm |
| Luzerne County | Register of Wills Penn Place Annex 20 North Pennsylvania Avenue Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 |
570-825-1668 | $50.00 | Cash ONLY | Monday to Friday: 9:00AM-12:00PM 1:00PM-4:30PM |
Book your appointment here |
| Lycoming County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 48 West Third St. 1st floor Williamsport, PA 17701 |
570-327-2263 | $40.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-5:00PM | Call to confirm |
| McKean County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 500 Main StreetM Smethport, PA 16749 |
814-887-3263 | $40.00 | Cash or money order | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Mercer County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 100 North Diamond Street Mercer, PA 16137 |
724-662-7548 | $45.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM | Call to confirm |
| Mifflin County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 20 North Wayne Street Lewistown, PA 17044 |
717-242-1449 | $50.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:30PM | Call to confirm |
| Monroe County | Register of Wills 7th and Monroe Streets Stroudsburg, PA 18360 |
570-517-3385 | $40.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM | Call to confirm |
| Montgomery County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court One Montgomery Plaza 4th floor Norristown, PA 19404 |
610-278-3414 or 610-292-4965 | $50.00 | Cash ONLY | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:15PM | None needed |
| Montour County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 29 Mill Street Danville, PA 17821 |
570-271-3010 | $50.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 9:00AM-4:00PM | Call to confirm |
| Northhampton County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 669 Washington St. Government Center Easton, PA 18042 |
610-559-3094 or 610-559-3095 | $50.00 | Cash ONLY | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Northumberland County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 201 Market Street Sunbury, PA 17801 |
570-988-4143 | $50.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 9:00AM-4:00PM | Book your appointment here |
| Perry County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 2 East Main Street New Bloomfield, PA 17068 |
717-582-2131 ext. 2237 | $40.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:00PM | Call to confirm |
| Philadelphia County | Register of Wills Broad and Market Streets City Hall Room 415 Philadelphia, PA 19107 |
215-686-2233 | $90.00 | Cash or money order | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00AM-4:00PM Wednesday: 8:30AM-7:30PM |
None needed |
| Pike County | Clerk of Orphans’ Court 412 Broad Street Milford, PA 18337 |
570-296-7231 ext. 1210 | $32.50 | Cash ONLY | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM | None needed |
| Potter County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court One East Second St., Room 23 Coudersport, PA 16915 |
814-274-9740 | $50.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM | Call to confirm |
| Schuylkill County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 401 North 2nd Street 1st Floor Pottsville, PA 17901 |
570-628-1382 | $40.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM | Call to confirm |
| Snyder County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 9 West Market Street Middleburg, PA 17842 |
570-837-4202 | $39.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM | Call to confirm |
| Somerset County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 111 East Union Street Suite 145 Somerset, PA 15501 |
814-445-1548 | $60.00 | Cash or money order | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM | None needed |
| Sullivan County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 245 Muncy Street LaPorte, PA 18626 |
570-946-7351 | $35.50 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Susquehanna County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 105 Maple Street Montrose, PA 18801 |
570-278-4600 | $40.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM | Call to confirm |
| Tioga County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 118 Main Street Wellsboro, PA 16091 |
570-724-9260 | $35.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 9:00AM-4:00PM | Call to confirm |
| Union County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 103 South 2nd Street Lewisburg, PA 17837 |
570-524-8630 | $40.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM | Call to confirm |
| Venango County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 1168 Liberty St, 1st Floor Franklin, PA 16323 |
814-432-9539 | $40.00 | Cash ONLY | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Warren County | Register and Recorder of Court 204 4th Ave. Warren, PA 16365 |
814-728-3430 | $26.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM | Call to confirm |
| Washington County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 1 South Main Street Suite 1002 Washington, PA 15301 |
724-228-6775 | $40.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 9:00AM-4:00PM | Call to confirm |
| Wayne County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 925 Court St. 2nd floor Annex Honesdale, PA 1843 |
570-253-5970 ext. 1220 | $40.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM | Call to confirm |
| Westmoreland County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 2 North Main Street 3rd floor, Suite 301 Greensburg, PA 15601 |
724-830-3196 | $70.00 | Credit cards accepted | Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:15AM-4:15PM Tuesday: 8:15AM-6:00PM |
Call to confirm |
| Wyoming County | Register and Clerk of Orphans’ Court 1 Courthouse Square Tunkhannock, PA 18657 | 570-996-2232 | $41.50 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:00PM | Call to confirm |
| York County | Clerk of Orphan’s Court Marriage License Bureau 45 North George St., 2nd floor York, PA 17401 | 717-771-9288 | $50.00 | Call to confirm | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:15PM | Book your appointment here |
Note: All courthouses are closed for government holidays.
Wedding Customs
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Wedding Food
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Religion
Only about 54% of Pennsylvanians say they’re religious (at least, as of 2010). Of those 54%, their affiliation breaks down like this:
- Christianity – 80%
- Protestant – 51%
- Mainline Protestant – 25%
- Evangelical Protestant – 18%
- Black Protestant – 7%
- Jehovah's Witnesses – 1%
- Roman Catholic – 29%
- Orthodox – 1%
- Non-religious/Unaffiliated – 13%
- Judaism – 2%
- Other religions – 1%
- Don't know/Refused to say – 1%
List of American Consulates in Canada
Consulate in General Vancouver
US Visa Requirements
Canadian citizens do not need a visa to travel to the United States for tourism as long as you are staying for less than 3 months. However you may need a visa if you are travelling for another reason (in addition to getting married).
If you are a Canadian permanent resident, you may need a visa.
Calling Pennsylvania from Canada
The country code for the US is 1, which is also the code for Canada.
To call Pennsylvania just dial 1 – area code – local number, like you would for any long distance number in Canada.
These are some area codes for Pennsylvania:
[Public Domain]
- 215: The city of Philadelphia and its immediately surrounding areas in the southeast corner of Pennsylvania directly to its north
- 267: An overlay of 215
- 272: An overlay of 570
- 412: The city of Pittsburgh and its immediately surrounding areas in Allegheny County
- 484: Southeastern Pennsylvania outside Philadelphia, including the Lehigh Valley, but excluding all but northernmost Bucks County and the eastern half of Montgomery County
- 570: Northeastern Pennsylvania, including Scranton and Wilkes-Barre
- 582: Northwestern Pennsylvania, to be split from 814 in 2012
- 610: Southeastern Pennsylvania outside Philadelphia, including the Lehigh Valley, but excluding all but northernmost Bucks County and the eastern half of Montgomery County
- 717: South Central Pennsylvania, including Harrisburg, Lancaster, and York
- 724: Southwestern Pennsylvania outside Pittsburgh and Allegheny County (except for outermost areas, such as Wexford, Gibsonia, Tarentum, parts of Monroeville, and parts of southern AC); completely surrounds 412
- 814: Northwestern and central Pennsylvania, from Bedford County to Centre County extending to the shores of Lake Erie, and including the city of Erie
- 878: Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Time Differences
Pennsylvania is on East Coast Time, the same time zone as Toronto and Montreal.
Calling Canada from the United States
List of Canadian Area Codes:
| Province | Code | Province | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta |
403 / 587 (southern Alberta) 587 / 780 (central and northern Alberta) |
Nunavut | 867 |
| BC |
236 / 250 / 778 (majority of BC) 236 / 604 / 778 (Metro Vancouver) |
Ontario |
226 / 519 (southwestern Ontario) 249 / 705 (northeastern Ontario) 289 / 365 / 905 (Greater Toronto Area) 343 / 613 (eastern Ontario) 416 / 647 (Toronto) 807 (northwestern Ontario) |
| Manitoba | 204 / 431 | PEI | 782 / 902 |
| New Brunswick | 506 | Quebec |
418 / 581 (eastern Quebec) 438 / 514 (Montreal) 450 / 579 (Greater Montreal) 819 / 873 (remainder of Quebec) |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 709 | Saskatchewan | 306 / 639 |
| Northwest Territories | 867 | Yukon | 867 |
| Nova Scotia | 782 / 902 |
Emergency Information for Canadians in the United States
The Department of Homeland Security Traveller Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) in US is a single point of contact for individuals who have inquiries or seek resolution regarding difficulties they experienced during their travel screening at transportation hub like airports, train stations or crossing U.S. borders, including:
- watch list issues
- screening problems at ports of entry
- situations where travellers feel they have been unfairly or incorrectly delayed, denied boarding or identified for additional screening.
List of Canadian Consulates in Pennsylvania
There are no Canadian consulates in Pennsylvania. Depending upon where you are located, you may want to contact the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC or the Canadian Consulate in New York City. You can see the full list of Canadian consulates here.
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Bringing Your Gifts Back to Canada
