Prothonotary

We do not issue copies of birth certificates from our office. We do have applications available for certified copies of Pennsylvania Birth Records through the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records located in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Immediate copies of Pennsylvania State Birth Certificates may be obtained by going directly to the State Building, which is located at:

100 Lackawanna Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503

A $20 fee is required along with a valid Photo ID. To obtain State Birth Certificates other than Pennsylvania please contact your individual County or State Agencies for further information and requirements.

For genealogy researchers, our office has:

• Birth and death records from 1893 to 1906
• Marriage records starting in 1885 to present
• Some naturalization records
• County Tax Assessment Census for 1880
• School records from 1912 through 1971

For more information see the Wayne County Genealogy Home Page at Roots Web.

The Clerk Of Courts maintains the criminal records which include Adult and Juvenile matters. All Juvenile cases and adult criminal cases involving a child victim of physical or sexual abuse are closed to the public. Members of our staff attend court proceedings to administer oaths to jurors, witnesses, etc. and to catalog exhibits at trials. For information regarding posting of bail and return of bail monies, call our office.

As a Clerk of The Orphan’s Court we file:

• Accounts of executors, trustees and guardians
• Estate claims
• Family settlement agreements
• Appointment of guardians on minors and incompetents
• Adoption proceedings

To be recognized as legal by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, marriages must be performed under a valid marriage license issued by the Clerk of Orphan’s Court and must be officiated by one of the individuals specifically recognized under Pennsylvania Law.

Application for marriage licenses requires the following:

• Both individuals must appear in person at the same time
• There is a three-day waiting period from the time of applying until the license may be picked up
• License must be used within 60 days from the day it is issued
• If married before, proof of dissolution of prior marriage is required
• If dissolved by divorce, a certified copy of the divorce decree is needed
• If widowed, date of death of the deceased spouse
• $35 fee paid at time of application by cash, personal check or money order.
• Applicant under 18 years of age must have a parent sign a consent form
• Under 16 years of age must have approval of judge, as well as a consent form signed by a parent
• Both applicants need to know their Social Security number, parents’ birth places and mother’s maiden name
• Applicants should arrive no later than 4 p.m.
• No blood tests are required
• One form of photo ID - Ex. Drivers License, or Passport

The Wayne County Prothonotary’s Office does not issue marriage licenses to prison inmates. Pennsylvania law requires that both parties appear in person to obtain the license and the office is not equipped with video conference technology. Other nearby counties may be willing to accommodate such requests.