Philadelphia City Hall Wedding

At a Glance

What Makes Philadelphia Special for a City Hall Wedding

Philadelphia gives you something almost no other city in America can: the option to marry yourselves. Pennsylvania’s self-uniting marriage license, rooted in Quaker tradition, lets you and your partner declare yourselves married without an officiant. No judge, no clergy, no one standing between you and the person you’re marrying. Just the two of you, two witnesses, and your signatures. Only a handful of states offer this, and Philadelphia is the best-known place to get one.

The building itself does the rest. Philadelphia City Hall is a late-1800s Renaissance Revival landmark with marble staircases, ornate arches, and intricate stone carvings throughout. Your civil ceremony happens inside this architecture at no extra cost beyond the marriage license fee. There’s no venue rental, no booking fee for the room, and no officiant charge. The ceremony is included with your $90 license.

You don’t need to be a Pennsylvania resident to get a Philadelphia marriage license. Out-of-state and international couples can walk in, apply, and get married here. That makes Philadelphia a genuine destination for couples planning an elopement or micro-wedding, especially those drawn to the self-uniting license. With Center City’s restaurants, cafes, and historic neighborhoods surrounding the building, your post-ceremony celebration is a short walk in any direction.

Step by Step: How to Get Married at Philadelphia City Hall

1. Choose your license type. Decide between a standard marriage license ($90) or a self-uniting marriage license ($100). The standard license requires an officiant at your ceremony. The self-uniting license lets you marry without one. Both require two witnesses.

2. Gather your documents. Both of you need two forms of ID: a current photo ID (driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID, military ID, or PHL City ID) and proof of your Social Security Number or ITIN (Social Security card, W-2, pay stub, tax return, or ITIN documents). If you don’t have an SSN or ITIN, you can substitute a birth certificate or a second photo ID.

3. Apply in person together. Visit the Register of Wills in Room 413 at Philadelphia City Hall, 1400 JFK Blvd. Both of you must appear in person for the marriage license application. No exceptions, no proxy applications. Bring originals of all documents, as photocopies are not accepted.

4. Wait three days. Pennsylvania has a mandatory 3-day waiting period after you apply. You cannot get married until day four.

5. Book your ceremony (standard license). If you chose the standard license and want a civil ceremony at City Hall, you need to schedule a slot. Ceremonies happen Tuesdays and Thursdays only in Room 414 (the Marriage Courtroom). Only 7 slots are available per day, first-come, first-served. One source reports that you book on the second Tuesday of the month prior to your desired wedding month. Call (215) 686-2233 to confirm the current booking process.

6. Arrange two witnesses. Both the standard and self-uniting marriage license require two adult witnesses. They do not need to be Pennsylvania residents. If you’re eloping without guests, you may need to ask someone at City Hall to serve as a witness.

7. Get married. For a standard license ceremony, show up at Room 414 on your scheduled day. The officiant performs a brief civil ceremony lasting 4-5 minutes. For a self-uniting license, you can marry anywhere in Pennsylvania within 60 days, no officiant needed.

8. Return the signed license. After your ceremony, return the signed marriage license to the Register of Wills. The exact deadline for returning it is disputed (sources say 10 days after the ceremony or 30 days after the license expires). Ask the office for the current requirement when you apply.

Marriage License Details

What to Bring for a Philadelphia Marriage License

Both applicants must bring two forms of identification:

Primary ID (one required):

• Driver’s license
• U.S. or international passport
• State-issued ID
• Military ID
• PHL City ID

Proof of SSN/ITIN (one required):

• Social Security card
• W-2 form
• Pay stub
• Tax return
• ITIN documents from the IRS

If you have no SSN or ITIN, you may substitute a certified birth certificate (translated and certified in English if not originally in English) or a second acceptable photo ID.

If previously married:

• Widowed: certified copy of deceased spouse’s death certificate
• Divorced: original divorce decree
• Foreign-language documents must be translated and certified in English

Philadelphia Marriage License Fees

The civil ceremony fee is included with the standard license. There is no separate charge for a ceremony at City Hall.

Accepted payment: Visa, MasterCard, money order, certified check Not accepted: Personal checks. Whether cash is accepted is unclear. Call (215) 686-2233 to confirm before visiting.

Where to Apply for a Marriage License in Philadelphia

Register of Wills Room 413, Philadelphia City Hall 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19107 Phone: (215) 686-2233 Email: MLappt@phila.gov

Both applicants must appear in person together. No proxy applications are accepted.

Note: Sources report conflicting office hours. One set of sources lists Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:15 PM. Another cites Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM with extended Wednesday hours until 7:30 PM. Call (215) 686-2233 to confirm current hours before visiting.

Waiting Period and Marriage License Validity in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has a 3-day waiting period after you apply for your marriage license. Plan to apply at least a week before your desired ceremony date to give yourself buffer time.

Your Pennsylvania marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. It can be used anywhere in Pennsylvania, not just in Philadelphia. If you have a self-uniting license, this means you could apply in Philadelphia and hold your ceremony at a state park, a family home, or any other location in PA within that 60-day window.

Age and Residency Requirements

• 18 or older: no additional requirements
• 16-17: requires parental consent
• Under 16: not permitted
• No Pennsylvania residency required. Out-of-state and international couples can apply for a Philadelphia marriage license.

Philadelphia City Hall Ceremony Details

Civil Ceremony at City Hall

Location: Room 414 (Marriage Courtroom), next door to the marriage license office Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays only Duration: Approximately 4-5 minutes Cost: Included with the $90 standard marriage license Witnesses: Two adults required (PA residency not required)

The civil ceremony is brief and performed by a city officiant. You exchange legal vows, sign the license with your witnesses, and you’re legally married.

Booking your ceremony slot: One source reports that couples book on the second Tuesday of the month prior to their desired wedding month. For example, to marry in October 2026, you would book on approximately Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Only 7 ceremony slots are available per day, awarded first-come, first-served. Only one partner needs to be present for the booking visit.

This booking procedure comes from a single source. Call (215) 686-2233 to confirm the current process before planning around it.

Self-Uniting (Quaker) Marriage License in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s self-uniting marriage license is one of the most distinctive wedding options in the country. Rooted in the Quaker (Society of Friends) tradition that no intermediary is needed for marriage, this license lets couples marry without any officiant present.

How it works:

• You and your partner declare yourselves married
• Two witnesses sign the license
• That’s it. You’re legally married under Pennsylvania law.

Cost: $100 (vs. $90 for the standard license) Where you can use it: Anywhere in Pennsylvania within 60 days of issuance Who it’s good for: Secular couples who want a non-religious ceremony, couples planning an elopement in a non-traditional location, Quaker couples honoring tradition, or anyone who wants complete control over their wedding ceremony

This self-uniting option is what sets a Philadelphia city hall wedding apart from courthouse weddings in almost every other major U.S. city. You can write your own vows, choose your own setting, skip the courtroom entirely, and still have a legally recognized marriage.

Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Pennsylvania (Standard License)

If you choose the standard marriage license and want your own officiant instead of the City Hall civil ceremony, Pennsylvania law authorizes:

• Judges
• County clerks
• Justices of the peace
• Ordained clergy (including online ordination, which is legal in PA)

Photography and Guest Tips for Your Philadelphia City Hall Wedding

Guest Limits at Philadelphia City Hall

Sources disagree on the exact number. One source says up to 8 guests (including witnesses and photographer). Another says 6 guests (with the photographer counting as one of those spots).

Confirm the current guest limit when you book your ceremony slot. Plan for a small group either way. This is an intimate venue by design.

Wedding Photography at Philadelphia City Hall

Photography is permitted during the ceremony. The building offers exceptional backdrops for wedding photos at no extra cost:

• Marble staircases throughout the building
• Ornate arches and stone carvings in hallways and rotunda areas
• Interior courtyards popular for exchanging personal vows before or after the civil ceremony

If you’re hiring a professional wedding photographer, rates in the Philadelphia area run approximately $650/hour. Budget time before or after your ceremony for photos throughout the building.

The courtyard is a favorite spot for couples who want a more personal moment. Many use it to exchange their own vows privately, separate from the brief civil ceremony in Room 414. If you have a self-uniting license, the courtyard can serve as your actual ceremony location.

Practical Tips for Your Philadelphia City Hall Wedding

Security checkpoint: You must pass through metal detectors to enter Philadelphia City Hall. Bring a valid photo ID. Plan for a few extra minutes on arrival.

Arrive early. Wait times can be long, especially on Mondays. The Register of Wills office processes marriage license applicants in order, and you don’t want to arrive close to closing time.

Bring originals. Photocopies of your identification documents are not accepted. If your documents are in a foreign language, bring certified English translations.

Payment: Bring a credit card (Visa or MasterCard), money order, or certified check. Personal checks are not accepted. Cash acceptance is unconfirmed, so don’t count on it.

Parking: Philadelphia City Hall sits at the intersection of Broad Street and Market Street in Center City. Garage parking is available nearby, but expect downtown rates ($15-$30 depending on duration). Street metered parking is limited and competitive in the area.

Public transit: City Hall has its own SEPTA subway station (City Hall station on the Broad Street Line and Market-Frankford Line). Regional Rail, trolleys, and bus routes all serve Center City. Public transit is the most practical way to get to your wedding.

Best times to go: Avoid Mondays, which tend to be the busiest day for the Register of Wills. Arrive as early as possible, especially on ceremony days (Tuesdays and Thursdays). Staff may stop processing new applicants 30-45 minutes before closing. Hours may be reduced on Fridays before holiday weekends, sometimes closing as early as 2:30 PM.

What to wear: There’s no official dress code, and couples wear everything from casual clothes to full wedding attire. That said, the Renaissance Revival architecture rewards dressing up. Even a 5-minute ceremony in this building feels more significant when you match the setting.

Need a translator? Contact the Register of Wills at (215) 686-2233 at least one week before your appointment.

Celebrate in Center City: The building sits in the middle of Philadelphia’s dining district. Many couples walk to brunch or dinner right after their ceremony. Love Park and Dilworth Park are both adjacent to City Hall and make for great photo spots as well.

Frequently Asked Questions About Philadelphia City Hall Weddings

How much does a city hall wedding cost in Philadelphia?

A city hall wedding in Philadelphia costs $90 total with a standard marriage license or $100 with a self-uniting (Quaker) license. The civil ceremony fee is included with the standard license. There is no separate venue fee, officiant charge, or room rental. You only pay the license fee. Accepted payment methods include Visa, MasterCard, money order, and certified check.

Do you need an officiant to get married in Pennsylvania?

No, not if you choose a self-uniting marriage license ($100). Pennsylvania is one of the few states that allows couples to marry without an officiant, a tradition rooted in Quaker practice. You and your partner declare yourselves married, two witnesses sign the license, and the marriage is legally valid. With a standard license ($90), you do need an officiant: either the city officiant at the City Hall civil ceremony or any legally authorized officiant in Pennsylvania.

Can you get married the same day you apply for a license in Philadelphia?

No. Pennsylvania has a mandatory 3-day waiting period after you apply for your marriage license. The earliest you can get married is day four. Civil ceremonies at Philadelphia City Hall only happen on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so your timeline depends on when your waiting period ends relative to those ceremony days. Plan to apply at least a week before your desired ceremony date.

What documents do you need for a Philadelphia marriage license?

Both applicants need two forms of ID: a current valid photo ID (driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID, military ID, or PHL City ID) and proof of Social Security Number or ITIN (Social Security card, W-2, pay stub, or tax return). If you have no SSN or ITIN, you can substitute a birth certificate or second photo ID. Previously married applicants need a certified death certificate (if widowed) or original divorce decree (if divorced). All documents must be originals. Foreign-language documents require certified English translations.