Chesco Marriage License Applications Boom During Pandemic

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — The pandemic has produced either more marriage license applications or a backlog that from a shutdown last spring, or both. Whatever the reason, Chester County has added hours to accommodate.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, the Register of Wills/Clerk of Orphans' Court office has experienced a substantial increase in marriage license applications from all over the region, said Michele Vaughn, Chester County Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans’ Court.

"We have doubled our appointment times to accommodate this increase, and the extended office hours every Wednesday will give us the capacity of adding nearly 500 more marriage license applications a year to the approximately 2,500 applications that we currently process."

The Chester County Register of Wills office has extended its hours to accommodate the rise in marriage license applications. Technology enhancements allow virtual and self-service scheduling options in order to receive and process the applications, the county said.

"We certainly don’t want to stand in the way of love, and we all find it rewarding to be part of a happy couple's wedding journey," said Vaughn.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the region in March and closed Chester County government and courts offices to all but essential employees, staff in the Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans' Court established virtual services for issuing both marriage licenses and probating wills.

Chester County opened back up to in-person services in June, but by appointment only. Self-service schedules were added then, allowing those who needed to probate estates or apply for a marriage license to schedule their own appointments.

Starting Nov. 18 office hours will be extended to 6 p.m. every Wednesday to accommodate those who need a marriage license, but don't have the flexibility of applying during the workday

Regular office hours for marriage license applications are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. "Thanks to the County's investment in technology, the virtual service continues," Vaughn said.

"This new scheduling tool has proven to be efficient and effective not just for the applicants, but also for staff in the office," Vaughn added.