Self uniting marriages in Philly area

Hey Shana!!! Welcome to WeddingWire and congrats on your upcoming wedding!!!

From what I can tell, you will have to go back in three days to get the physical license. Going in today would be you applying for it, but then you'll actually get in on Friday or somewhere thereabouts. The marriage license is $90, but because you're going the self-uniting route, there's a special license - I can't tell if it's a separate paper or not - that costs $100. So all together, you'll have to give the Register of Wills $190.

What made you decide a self-uniting ceremony was the thing for you two?

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I actually got it today and we have to just take the marriage license in after we have the witnesses sign it. Then they give you a certified copy of your marriage license. The cost of the self uniting marriage license was only 100.00 instead of what I thought would be almost 200.00. We decided on a self uniting because it seemed to be the easiest route for us. I have a medical condition that have to have good insurance and unfortunately my new job does not provide that which has put myself into a ton of debt. So we plan to have an actual ceremony/reception next year.

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Thanks for coming back and correcting me!!! I'm glad you've found a way to marry that helps the both of you and that you'll celebrate in the future. Congratulations!!!

Shanna, I am considering going this route for us as well. What did you guys do exactly for your ceremony and did they tell you there was a time frame to get the signed liscense back to them after the ceremony?

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We actually did not have a "ceremony". We just had some friends sign our license. We are having a "ceremony" just for our immediate family on June 28th. I believe you have 30 days to return the marriage license from the day you pick it up from the courthouse.

Shanna, does City Hall provide the self uniting license that the witnesses sign and then you return that? We are planning this as well and online details are very confusing. I appreciate any feedback and information. Thank you

View Quoted Comment Hi! Also doing a self uniting license in Philly as well- and yes the website is a bit confusing!!

When you both go to city hall to apply for your self uniting license they input all of your information into the computer, you confirm it- and from that they print your license. You pay the $100.00 (they don’t take cash or check), and they give you your physical license then. Its a trifold piece of paper; it has a two copies of the signature parts on there- the first one is your copy to keep (the guy there told us it’s essentially a test version for you to make sure you input the date and year in the proper spots), and the bottom copy is what you will turn back in to city hall. Signature wise it requires both people being married and then two witnesses signature and addresses. They also give you a return envelope that’s prefilled out.
The marriage license is good for 60 days, but the earliest you can use it is three days after you apply for it. It will tell you from what date to what you are able to use it. From the date that you sign it you have 30 days to turn it in.

Hope this helps!!

View Quoted Comment Hi, K! Thanks so much! This was super helpful and exactly the process information I was looking for!

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Yes they do! Sorry! I do not get notifications of people commenting on this post anymore. I know you commented quite some time ago. Hope the process wasn't too bad!