Hey all,
I just wanted to share my experience in hopes that it can shed some light on this confusing issue. As some of you already know, my uncle became ordained online so he could marry my FH & I. I had heard that depends upon the county if they accept this or not, but I got to find out first hand yesterday.
Yesterday, my FH and I appeared in the Register of Wills office for Westmoreland County for our marriage license. I asked what our county's policy was regarding those who have been ordained online and I learned that in the state of Pennsylvania, currently it is not recognized and thus not permitted to perform marriages. However, she went on to tell me that plenty of people still do it and they all get filed regardless. Despite the horror stories out there, marriage licenses are not typically researched, but I didn't want to run the risk and potentially run into issues later on in life and find out that our marriage was never valid and legal. It's very possible that in the future, Pennsylvania will change their minds and accept this, but I would rather have peace of mind and a legal marriage.
Since neither of us belong to a religious affiliation, the woman at the office suggested that we could do a self-uniting ceremony (two witnesses required), or have a judge or magistrate marry us.
My FH and I talked it over and decided to do a self-uniting ceremony in the next coming weeks depending upon when my MOH can get off early from work. I feel bad that my uncle wasted his time and energy to do something so kind for us, so I am hoping that we can keep this between the 4 of us to save him any hurt and frustration. Hopefully, we can hand him our normal marriage license to have him sign and we can return it for him and have them shred it there in the office, if need be. I have yet to ask the office how we can handle that, but I can update you all once I do.
