Venue Wednesday – City Hall

February 18, 6:07 PMPhiladelphia Marriage ExaminerAnn Keeler Evans

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Well, it's week two and Wedding Priestess is making this an official thing! It's Wednesday (and it's late!) and I'm writing to you about another great Philadelphia site. How about a no-frills, no-fuss wedding at City Hall? If this appeals to you, here's what you do:

First, get your wedding license from the Clerk of the Orphan's Court, Room 413 of City Hall. Here's the official website.

• The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except on holidays). Additionally, the Marriage License Bureau is open to take applications for new marriage licenses on Wednesdays until 7:30 p.m.
• The Marriage License Bureau issues marriage licenses, which may be used anywhere in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• A couple must appear together.
• They must each be at least eighteen years old and have a valid photo I.D. and an original Social Security card.
• Non-citizens must present proof of legal entry into the United States.
• Blood tests are not needed.
• The marriage license is issued in three days and is valid for sixty days thereafter. The three-day waiting period is mandatory.
• Please call for more information if you are a minor or were previously married.
• The cost of a license is $50 and CASH is the only acceptable payment.

Then, on the day they open the appointment book (around the second Tuesday of each month) line up outside Room 415 to schedule for the following month.

• Civil ceremonies are performed on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. (Schedule fills quickly)
• You will meet the assigned judge that day.
• You can bring up to 12 guests.
• You can take photos.
• Ceremony takes about 10 minutes.
• It's free!

So here you go, one fairly easy way to start the move from "I do" to happily and healthily ever after. This may not be the most glamorous wedding in the world. But it will get the job done. And you'll take your place in history with the thousands of couples who have started their marriages in this room. And that's nothing to sneeze at!

Remember, Wedding Priestess needs your help to keep this column current, sassy and useful. Write to me with Philadelphia wedding venues, products and services to explore. Put The Wedding Priestess in the subject line. And if you subscribe, I'll show up in your inbox almost every day. Painless! Fun! And a lot of good information!