Clerk of Orphans’ Court

Available records include formal and informal accounts, trusts, small estate settlements, and marriage applications. Adoptions, gestational births, and termination of parental rights are NOT public record.

Franklin County Archives & Records Management houses marriage docket indices (1885-1918), marriage license applications (1885-2011), and marriage license returns/duplicates (1885-2020). The most recent records are kept at the Clerk of Courts’ office. A number of the earliest duplicate marriage certificates (1885-1890) have been scanned and are available in the Archives’ online repository For marriages prior to 1885, contact or visit the places listed under the “Local Resources” section on the Research Resources page. They have access to family histories, church records, etc. which might contain additional information.

Birth and death certificates 1906-present are kept in New Castle, Pennsylvania, at the Vital Records Department. Order forms are available in the Clerk’s Office. If you are looking for birth or death records prior to 1906, please visit Franklin County Archives & Records Management.

Orphans’ Court records are available from 1785 to the present.

Beginning January 6, 2018, the following information is confidential and shall not be included in any document filed with the court or custodian, except on a Confidential Information Form filed contemporaneously with the document:

• Social Security numbers
• Financial account numbers except the last four digits when financial account is the subject of the case and cannot otherwise be identified
• Driver’s license numbers
• State Identification (SID) Numbers
• Minors’ names and dates of birth (except when a minor is charged as a defendant in a criminal matter)
• An abuse victim’s address and other contact information in family court actions (including employer’s names, address and work schedule)

Beginning January 6, 2018, the following documents are confidential and shall be filed with a court or custodian with the Confidential Document Form:

• Financial source documents
• Minors’ educational records
• Medical/psychological records
• Children and Youth Services records
• Marital property inventory and pre-trial statement as provided in Pa.R.C.P. No.1920.33
• Income and expense statement as provided in Pa.R.C.P. No.1910.27(c)
• Agreements between parties as used in 23 Pa.C.S. 3105  

A. Caption
The caption should include the name and division of the court, identifying case number, the names of the parties, and the title of the proceeding. 

B. Filing Fee
The filing fee (if applicable) is due at the time of filing papers and is payable by cash, check or money order.

We have a limited selection of forms available for public use. If these forms do not include what you need, you may research your issue in the Franklin County Law Library

Please visit Orphans’ Court Forms via the UJS Portal for various forms.

Anyone wishing to marry in Pennsylvania must obtain a Pennsylvania marriage license. Applicants may apply in any county within Pennsylvania and use the license in any county. Your license is not valid to marry outside of Pennsylvania.

Marriage License Requirements

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age to obtain a marriage license.
• Both applicants must apply/complete the application process in person to obtain the marriage license
• When To Apply
  • At least three days prior to the marriage IN PERSON. The marriage license is valid for 60 days after applying.
• Where To Apply
  • An online application may be filled out prior to the in-person portion of the application process. 
    • Please DO NOT use capital letters OR symbols
    • Please read ALL the instructions before filling out the application. 
  • In person at the Clerk of Courts Office at 14 North Main Street, Chambersburg. Please arrive no later than 4 p.m. Monday – Friday.
• What To Bring
  • ID (Driver’s license, birth certificate or passport)
  • Proof of Social Security number (card or tax form)
  • Your marriage license application number
  • $55.00 filing fee (no personal checks) *Effective January 1, 2025 – $60.00 filing fee*
    • Payment can be made in cash or by credit card (subject to 2.2% service charge or a minimum of $1)
  • Most recent divorce decree or death certificate, if applicable
  • Proof of reverting back to prior name
• Who May Solemnize A Marriage
  • Applicants can choose a traditional license (requiring an officiant to solemnize the marriage) or a self-uniting license (does not require an officiant to solemnize the marriage). The Clerk of Courts office does not determine who may or may not solemnize a marriage.
    • Internet Ordinations

Based on court cases resulting in conflicting judgments, applicants are advised that persons who have been ordained over the internet may or may not be persons permitted to perform marriages in Pennsylvania. You are advised to consult an attorney concerning the legality of such marriages.

• Disclaimer of Liability

Please be advised: if you choose to be married by someone other than the officiants specifically listed as authorized by Pennsylvania law, the burden of proof will be on you regarding the legality of your marriage should future issues arise that require a determination of the marriage’s validity.

The Clerk’s Office will only have records of marriages (1885-Present) applied for in Franklin County. Certified duplicates are $8.00 each. Effective January 1, 2025, the cost for a certified duplicate is $10.00.

Requesting A Copy

Note: Once the form is submitted, you will receive a reply of how to pay by credit card. Please do not include credit card information in the form as we cannot process your card online from our office.

• In person by visiting the Franklin County Clerk of Courts at 14 North Main Street, Chambersburg.
• By mail by contacting the Franklin County Clerk of Courts at 14 North Main Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201.
• Online – Please note: Once the form is submitted, you will receive a reply with instructions on paying by credit card. Please do NOT include credit card information on the form as we cannot process your card online from our office.
  

Pennsylvania does not require a name change for marriage. If the applicant wishes to change his or her name after marriage, certified copies of the marriage record will be required in order to change your driver’s license and Social Security card.

To change your name on your Social Security card, you will need to gather all of your documents proving your legal name (i.e. marriage, divorce, Certificate of Naturalization, court order, etc.), identity, U.S. citizenship or immigration status.

Complete An Application For Social Security Card

Take or mail the application and documents to your local Social Security office.  All documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. They will not accept photocopies or notarized copies of the documents. Any documents you mail will be returned along with a receipt.

The Social Security office will mail your card as they have verified your documents. You should receive your card in approximately 10 business days from the date on the receipt. The new card will have the same number as your previous card, but will show your new name.

Social Security Offices

Social Security Administration

1-800-772-1213
www.ssa.gov

Franklin County
50 North Third Street
Chambersburg PA 17201
717-263-4138 

Anyone wishing to marry outside Pennsylvania must contact that state, territory, country, etc. directly. Legal requirements of that jurisdiction apply. Contact an attorney regarding legality of marriage and documents that may need to be filed.

Non-Resident Affidavit Of Marriage

Some states permit a non-resident affidavit of marriage to be completed in the county in which you reside instead of appearing in that state/county. Contact the state/county you wish to apply for more information. They will provide you with a form to bring to the Clerk of Orphans’ Court office. Both applicants must appear together and be under oath.

Non-Impediment, Authenticated Marriage for Foreign Country

What is an Apostille?
An Apostille is a document that foreign governments will use to assess the authenticity of an official’s signature. It is commonly used in foreign adoptions, international business transactions, foreign study, dual citizenship, and patents.

How do I obtain an Apostille?

The document must be signed and sealed by a Pennsylvania Notary Public or the Pennsylvania official who is custodian of the records. 

Often the Clerk of Orphans’ Court will need to provide a certified copy of a marriage license to obtain an Apostille.

If the use of the marriage certification is going to be used to obtain an Apostille or in other foreign transactions, you MUST indicate so when requesting the certified copy. A deputy signature on the certified copy is NOT permitted by the Department of State. Photocopies are also not permitted. 

Mail the document that has been signed by the custodian of the records along with proper payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Department of State:  

Pennsylvania Department of State
Apostilles & Certifications
North Office Building, Room 201
401 North Street
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0029

Phone: 717-787-5280
email: ra-certifications@pa.gov
www.dos.state.pa.us