Find New York Marriage Records Online
New York marriage records are kept by local town and city clerks across 62 counties. The New York State Department of Health also holds copies of marriage certificates going back to 1881 for all areas outside New York City. You can search for these records online, by mail, or in person. Each clerk's office that issued the original license can provide certified copies. If you need a marriage record from one of the five NYC boroughs, the City Clerk's Office handles those separately. This guide covers where to look, what you need, and how much it costs to get marriage records in New York.
New York Marriage Records Overview
Where to Find New York Marriage Records
Marriage records in New York come from two main sources. The town or city clerk who issued the original license keeps a copy on file. The New York State Department of Health also holds copies of marriage certificates from 1881 to the present for all of New York State outside of New York City. That distinction matters. If you need a record for a license issued in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island, the state office in Albany cannot help you. You must go through the NYC City Clerk's Office instead.
For most people, the fastest route is to contact the local clerk where the couple got their license. Every town and city in the state has a clerk who issues marriage licenses and keeps copies of the completed certificates. These offices can often provide same-day service if you visit in person. A certified copy from a local clerk costs $10, which is far less than the $30 fee charged by the state health department for mail orders.
The New York State Archives holds indexes to marriage records, though the Archives does not have the actual certificates. Their indexes cover the state outside New York City starting in 1881. Marriage indexes become available to the public after 50 years. For older records, the New York State Library in Albany has microfiche copies of these indexes at their genealogy desk.
Note: The NYS Department of Health does not hold marriage records for licenses purchased in New York City. For NYC records, contact the City Clerk at (212) 639-9775 or visit on.nyc.gov/MarriageRecord.
How to Search New York Marriage Records
Searching for marriage records in New York depends on when and where the marriage took place. For recent records, contact the town or city clerk who issued the license. They can look up records by name and provide copies quickly. If you don't know which clerk issued the license, the NYS Department of Health can search their statewide database for records from 1881 forward.
Online ordering is available through the state health department's authorized vendor. The fee is $45 plus a processing charge for online or phone orders. Mail orders cost $30 per copy. You can pay by credit card online, or send a check or money order by mail to the NYS Department of Health, Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. Regular mail processing takes 8 to 10 weeks. Priority handling cuts that to about two weeks for an extra $15 fee, but you must use overnight delivery both ways.
To request a marriage record, you will need:
- Full names of both spouses as they appeared on the license
- Date of marriage or approximate year
- Place where the license was issued (town or city)
- Valid photo ID or two forms of identification showing name and address
Not everyone can get a copy. Marriage records less than 50 years old are restricted. You must be one of the spouses, have written permission from a spouse, or show a documented judicial or proper purpose. Records older than 50 years are open to the public for genealogical research.
New York Marriage License Requirements
Getting a marriage license in New York is straightforward. Both people must appear in person at any town or city clerk's office in the state. Under Domestic Relations Law Section 15, each applicant signs a sworn statement with their name, age, place of birth, and details about any prior marriages. You cannot send a representative, even with power of attorney. A notarized affidavit does not work as a substitute for showing up in person.
Both applicants must be at least 18. No exceptions exist. New York banned marriages for anyone under 18. No blood test or medical exam is needed. You do need proof of age. Acceptable documents include a birth certificate, passport, or driver's license. If either person was married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree, dissolution certificate, or death certificate of the former spouse.
The license fee is $40 at any town or city clerk outside New York City. In NYC, the fee is $35. After the clerk issues the license, there is a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before the ceremony can take place. A judge of the Supreme Court or county court can waive this waiting period if needed. The license stays valid for 60 days. Active military members get an extension to 180 days with proof of service. Under New York law, a license issued in the state can only be used for a ceremony performed within New York.
Marriage Records Fees in New York
What you pay depends on where you order the record. Local town and city clerks charge $10 for a certified copy of a marriage certificate. That is the cheapest option and usually the fastest. The NYS Department of Health charges $30 for mail orders and $45 plus a vendor processing fee for online or phone orders. Payment by mail must be a personal check, postal money order, or certified check made payable to the New York State Department of Health.
NYC marriage records have their own fee schedule. A domestic short certificate costs $15 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy. An extended certificate for foreign use costs $35 for the first copy and $30 for each additional one. If you need an Apostille for use in a country that is part of the Hague Convention, that adds another $3 at the New York County Clerk and $10 at the Department of State.
Tip: Getting your marriage certificate from the local town or city clerk where the license was issued is the cheapest and often the fastest option at just $10 per copy.
NYC Marriage Records
New York City handles marriage records differently from the rest of the state. The NYC City Clerk's Office manages all marriage records for the five boroughs. Records from 1950 to 1995 can only be obtained at the Manhattan office at 141 Worth Street. Records from 1996 to the present are available at any borough office. For records before 1950, you need to contact the NYC Municipal Archives.
Walk-in service is not available for marriage record requests. You must schedule an appointment through the nyc.gov/cupid system before visiting any City Clerk borough office. Mail requests go to: City Clerk of New York, 141 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013, Attn: Record Room. Mail requests take 4 to 6 weeks to process. In-person requests with an appointment are handled the same day if all your documents are in order.
Historical Marriage Records in New York
New York began statewide registration of marriages in 1881. Compliance was incomplete until around 1913 in some areas, so records from the early years may have gaps. The New York State Archives maintains indexes to these early records. An index entry shows only the name, date, place, and state certificate number. The actual certificates are held by the Department of Health and local registrars.
Some county clerks hold historical marriage records from 1908 to 1935 when the state required counties to keep duplicate copies. These historical collections vary by county. After April 1935, the responsibility shifted entirely to local town and city clerks and the state health department. For records that predate 1881, check with the local municipality, religious institutions, or the county historian. Under Domestic Relations Law Section 15, clerks have been required to collect detailed information from marriage applicants including names, ages, birthplaces, and parents' names. This data makes New York marriage records especially useful for family history research.
Several libraries across the state have microfiche copies of the DOH marriage indexes for public use. These include the NYS Archives in Albany, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, Rochester Public Library, Onondaga County Public Library in Syracuse, and Utica Public Library. Researchers must visit these locations in person since the index data is not available online.
Correcting or Amending Marriage Records
If you need to correct a name, fix a date, or update a gender designation on a New York marriage certificate, the process goes through the town or city clerk who issued the original license. Under Domestic Relations Law Section 20-B, a revised certificate must be issued to reflect a properly documented change. Acceptable documentation includes a court order, an amended birth certificate, or a notarized affidavit for gender designation changes. The clerk issues a new Certificate of Marriage Registration once the amendment is processed.
Browse New York Marriage Records by County
New York has 62 counties, each with town and city clerks who issue marriage licenses and keep copies of marriage certificates. Pick a county below for local contact info and details on how to get marriage records in that area.
Marriage Records in Major New York Cities
Residents of major cities get their marriage licenses and records from the local town or city clerk. Pick a city below for details on where to go and what to expect.