PA Self-Uniting Marriage License

Call the clerk of courts in that county

Call the office of Widows and Orphans in any county. In PA (I'm 99% sure) you can get your license anywhere and use it throughout PA. Whether he is going to be legally able to marry you is anyone's guess. A self uniting license costs more and there are different requirements.

My MOH got married in PA and she and her DH chose to self officiate. She said it's an option that's still on the books in PA because of PA's Quaker history and Quakers used to get married by standing up during a meeting and declaring "we are now married" (anyone who knows more about this tradition, please correct me if I'm oversimplifying...I'm just relaying what my MOH told me about it). She didn't mention that their license was difficult to obtain. They did not do it to get around not having a legal officiant, though. They saw it was an option and decided it fit them to a T.

Blue Hen, I did a bit of research into it a few years ago (so my memory may be a bit foggy) for a couple who wanted Quaker & traditional. Apparently, when the couple stands up and says they want to be married, anyone there can offer an opinion on whether or not they should be married. Then everyone present signs a document stating they were witnesses. If the couple ever wants to divorce, anyone still alive who was at the wedding has to agree to it.

Nancy - thank you for the additional information. How awkward it must have been if a couple received a lot of thoughts on why they should not be married!

Thank you! I will continue to do my research then. Thank you.

Lancaster County does not allow for people to be married by friends or family ordained online. My cousin wanted her friend to be ordained online and Lancaster County doesn't allow it. The closest thing you can get to that is the self uniting marriage certificate, which the county does allow.

I am thinking about asking for the Self Uniting License but I want to be sure I go to the right place. I know they aren't supposed to ask you of your religion but do you know if Lancaster County is tough to ask for one?

My coworker was recently at a wedding in Lancaster County where they did the self uniting wedding. They do honor them there! She said it was cool to watch. I don't know much specifics behind asking though. Sorry

Okay, thank you!