Originally Posted by Mayfairchick

Now neither are US citizens they will just be here for a holiday...I am asuming as long as their passports are up dot date etc they will be fine?

Originally Posted by Shosh

Quick question ... why would 2 non-residents select PA as the site of their marriage? Not that I don't love this place, but Philadelphia doesn't seem to cry out as a "destination wedding" locale. (Plus, PA law may require that at least one of the people applying must be a US citizen or legal resident, but don't quote me on that. (While the US Constitution has been found to protect the right to marry, that guarantee is given only to US Citizens)).

Now, as to the officiant ... you don't need one in PA, thanks to the Commonwealth's Quaker roots. You can get a special marriage license that makes official any marriage in which the bride and groom take each other as husband and wife in front of 2 witnesses.

Originally Posted by Mayfairchick

Because we live here. All worked out we had a wonderful time!

Originally Posted by Shosh

(Plus, PA law may require that at least one of the people applying must be a US citizen or legal resident, but don't quote me on that. (While the US Constitution has been found to protect the right to marry, that guarantee is given only to US Citizens)).

Originally Posted by cam112

It went from $40 (back in Dec) to $100. All of the sudden I feel like I live in a third world country, you turn around and prices double or triple. Sorry for the sarcasm there, I'm about to get married and it's puzzling as to why the price would go up so drastically. Hope this isn't to help rescue SEPTA...

Originally Posted by nick19128

The price increase wasn't so drastic. The price of a marriage license went up to $80 from $50, not $100 from $40.

Originally Posted by gone down south

Having just gone through this, here's the basic 411. Most important is to make all the arrangements as early as possible, you'd hate for something to go wrong at the last minute, and dealing with City Hall means something will probably go wrong somewhere

You'll need to first get your mind around the fact that in Philadelphia marriages licences are arranged by the Orphans Court. Go figure!
http://www.phila.gov/justice/orphans/index.html

First off, make sure they're legally able to marry in PA, are they both US citizens?

Secondly, City Hall issues marriage licences, but you can't get married there, you'll need to arrange for an officiant by yourself. Tuesday and Thursday nights a few judges may or may not stick around after sessions to perform marriage ceremonies, but it's a crapshoot. Call the Orphans Court to reserve a date if you want to go this way, because they apparently book up far ahead.

Both parties will need to go to City hall together to apply for the licence. Bring lots of ID, proof of residency, and if one of them isn't a US citizen proof of permanent residency (Green Card, etc) and $40 cash. They're open 8:30 -4:30 Mon-Fri, and until 7:30pm on Wednesdays. The licence will be available 3 business days later. It's a pretty painless process, took us about 15 minutes in-and-out.

You'll get some paperwork your officiant needs to fill out - he/she returns the top half to the city, and the signed bottom half you keep is proof of marriage. We just googled officiants and went with Taya at www.altaredvows.com, she came right to our house and performed a great little ceremony in our living room, very sweet and simple, total $85.

Good luck to them, be sure to post pictures afterwards!