The process is the same as a first marriage with one addition: proof that your most recent previous marriage ended. The detail that catches people out is that a death certificate must be the original, while a divorce decree can be a photocopy.
What you need to provide
| Situation | Document | Original required? |
|---|---|---|
| Divorced | Divorce decree | No — photocopy accepted |
| Annulled | Civil annulment decree | No — photocopy accepted |
| Widowed | Death certificate | Yes — original |
You also need the date the previous marriage ended. Have it ready rather than estimating.
Only the most recent marriage matters. If you've been married more than once, you don't need documentation for every prior marriage — just proof the last one is legally over.
The death certificate rule
This is the one to plan around.
Bucks County requires the original death certificate — not a photocopy, not a scan. If yours is in a safe deposit box, filed somewhere, or held by a family member, retrieve it before you apply.
If you can't find it, order a replacement from the vital records office of the state where the death occurred. That takes time, so start early.
What if the divorce isn't final?
You cannot remarry until it is. A pending divorce, a separation agreement, or a filed but undecided case doesn't qualify — the previous marriage must be legally ended.
If your decree was issued recently, bring it even if you think the county might have it. They won't look it up for you.
Everything else is the same
| Bucks County | |
|---|---|
| Fee | $85, includes one certified certificate |
| Waiting period | 3 days |
| Valid for | 60 calendar days |
| Apply | Online, then a virtual meeting |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Residency | Not required |
| Officiant | Optional — self-uniting licenses available |
| File return | Within 10 days of the ceremony |
Full process: how to get married in Bucks County
Practical notes for remarriage
Name change gets more complicated if you changed your name for a previous marriage. What you're changing from and to determines whether the marriage certificate alone is sufficient. Confirm with the Social Security Administration.
Consider a smaller ceremony. Second weddings skew smaller, and Bucks County has good options — see micro weddings and elopement packages.
Weekday and off-season dates suit second weddings well. Guest lists are typically shorter and more flexible, which means you can take 20–40% off the venue cost without an attendance problem.
Frequently asked questions
What do you need to remarry in Pennsylvania? The same as a first marriage, plus proof your most recent marriage ended — a divorce decree or annulment (photocopy accepted) or a death certificate (original required).
Does a death certificate have to be the original? Yes, in Bucks County. A photocopy is not accepted. If yours is stored somewhere inaccessible, retrieve it or order a replacement well before applying.
Do you need documentation for every previous marriage? No, only the most recent one. What matters is proof that your last marriage is legally over.
Can you remarry before a divorce is final? No. The previous marriage must be legally ended. A pending case or separation agreement doesn't qualify.
Is the fee different for a second marriage? No. The Bucks County marriage license is $85 regardless, including one certified certificate.
Is there a waiting period after a divorce? Pennsylvania's standard three-day marriage license waiting period applies. Confirm any other requirements with the county when you apply.
What about changing your name back? If you're resuming a previous surname, bring any decree permitting it. Requirements differ from a straightforward first-marriage name change — confirm with the Social Security Administration.
Weddings at The Arbor
The Arbor at The Bucks Club is a wedding venue in Jamison, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with weekday elopement packages from $595 and full weddings up to 240 guests.
Confirmed against Bucks County Register of Wills published requirements, August 2026. General information, not legal advice.
Last updated: August 2026