Buffalo Marriage Records

Marriage records for the City of Buffalo are maintained by the Buffalo City Clerk in Erie County. Buffalo is the second-largest city in New York State and the seat of Erie County. The City Clerk handles marriage license applications, records completed certificates, and issues certified copies. One important fact that researchers should know: Buffalo city marriage records from before 1914 are not part of the NYS Department of Health collections. If you need an older Buffalo record, you must go directly to the City Clerk.

Buffalo City Clerk's Office

The Buffalo City Clerk is Angela M. Caldwell. The office is at 1302 City Hall, Buffalo, NY 14202. Call (716) 851-5431 for questions. The clerk's office is inside Buffalo City Hall, the art deco landmark in downtown Buffalo. Hours are Monday through Friday during normal business hours, though it is always a good idea to call first and confirm.

Both people must appear in person to apply for a marriage license. Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license, passport, or military ID all work. If either person was previously married, bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate. The clerk needs proof that all prior marriages have ended before issuing a new license.

The fee is $40. You pay at the time of application. The clerk collects standard information including full names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and addresses. This is all required under Domestic Relations Law Section 15. The application process takes about 20 minutes. The staff can answer questions about the ceremony requirements while you are there.

Finding Marriage Records in Buffalo

The Buffalo City Clerk holds marriage records going back many decades. For records from 1914 forward, both the City Clerk and the NYS Department of Health should have copies. But here is the key issue: Buffalo marriage records from before 1914 are not in the state health department's files. This is a known gap. If you are looking for a marriage that took place in Buffalo before 1914, the City Clerk is your only option for an official record.

The Buffalo City Clerk's vital records page is shown below.

To get a certified copy, visit the City Clerk at City Hall with your photo ID. Provide the full names of both spouses and the approximate date. The fee for a certified copy is $10. In-person requests are usually processed the same day. For mail requests, write to the Buffalo City Clerk, 1302 City Hall, Buffalo, NY 14202. Include all the details and a check for $10 payable to the City of Buffalo. Mail processing takes two to four weeks.

The NYS Department of Health also holds Buffalo marriage records from 1914 to the present. Their fee is $30 by mail or $45 online. The Erie County Clerk is another resource. The county clerk records documents filed across all of Erie County and may have copies as well.

Getting a Marriage License in Buffalo

After the clerk issues the license, state law requires a 24-hour wait before the ceremony. A judge can waive this but rarely does. The license is valid for 60 days. If the ceremony does not happen in that time, the license expires. You would need to reapply and pay the $40 fee again.

No residency requirement exists. Couples from other cities, states, or countries can get a license in Buffalo. The only requirement is that the ceremony takes place somewhere in New York State. The NY.gov marriage page covers all statewide rules that apply.

The officiant who performs the ceremony must be authorized under state law. Judges, clergy, and certain government officials can perform weddings. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the City Clerk within five days. The clerk files the completed certificate and sends a copy to the state. This creates the permanent official record of the marriage.

Buffalo Marriage Records Access

Marriage records less than 50 years old are restricted. Only the spouses named on the certificate, their attorneys, or someone with a proper legal purpose can get copies. The clerk verifies your identity and your reason for the request. After 50 years, the records are open to everyone.

For older records, the New York State Archives maintains indexes to historical marriage records. The Buffalo and Erie County Public Library also has local history collections, including microfiche copies of marriage indexes that researchers can use on-site. These resources are especially helpful for genealogists working on western New York family trees.

The minimum marriage age in New York is 18 with no exceptions. The state changed this law in 2021, removing all parental consent provisions for minors. This applies at the Buffalo City Clerk and every other clerk's office in the state.

Pre-1914 Buffalo Marriage Records

This is worth repeating because it catches many researchers off guard. If you need a Buffalo marriage record from before 1914, do not bother contacting the state Department of Health. They will not have it. Those older records were never transferred to the state. The Buffalo City Clerk is the custodian of those records. Contact them directly at (716) 851-5431 or visit City Hall in person. The staff is familiar with this issue and can help you search their older files.

Church records and newspaper archives from that era can also be useful sources. The Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society has some collections that include marriage-related documents from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo and other local religious organizations may also have records from that period.

Erie County Marriage Records

Buffalo is the county seat of Erie County. The county clerk handles marriage records at the county level.

Nearby Cities

Other communities in the Erie County area with their own marriage record services.