Access Greece Marriage Records

Marriage records in the Town of Greece are maintained by the Town Clerk. Greece is the largest suburb of Rochester and one of the most populated towns in Monroe County. The clerk's office processes marriage license applications, files signed certificates after weddings, and provides certified copies to anyone who needs them. The office serves a large residential population and handles a steady flow of marriage-related requests throughout the year.

Where to Get Greece Marriage Records

The Greece Town Clerk handles all marriage records for the town. Town Clerk Eric M. Zellers runs the office at 1 Vince Tofany Blvd, Greece, NY 14612. Call (585) 723-2410 for questions or to check hours. The office is open weekdays. Walk-ins are welcome for license applications and record requests.

A marriage license costs $40. Both applicants must appear together at the clerk's office. You each need a valid photo ID and proof of age. If either person was previously married, documentation showing how that marriage ended is required. A certified divorce decree or death certificate for a former spouse will do. The clerk reviews everything before the license is issued.

New York law imposes a 24-hour waiting period. The ceremony cannot take place until at least 24 hours after the clerk issues the license. This comes from Domestic Relations Law Section 15. A court can waive this wait, but it rarely happens. Once issued, the license is good for 60 days.

How to Search for Marriage Records in Greece

Start by calling the town clerk. Give them both names and the estimated date of the marriage. They can search their records and tell you what they have on file. For a certified copy, visit in person or mail a written request. Certified copies are $10 each.

The New York State Department of Health keeps marriage records from 1881 onward for all of New York except the five NYC boroughs. Greece records fall under this system. Mail orders to the state cost $30. Online orders run about $45 total. Processing by mail takes 8 to 10 weeks. If you pay an extra $15 for priority handling, the wait drops to about two weeks.

Going through the Greece Town Clerk is usually the faster option. The $10 local fee is cheaper than the state's $30 charge. Same-day service is possible for in-person visits. The state route works better if you live far from Greece or if the local office cannot locate the record for some reason.

Older Marriage Records in Greece

The town clerk's office holds records going back decades. For very old records, you may need to check with the Monroe County Clerk at 39 West Main Street in Rochester. The county kept marriage records from 1908 through 1935. During that period, both the county and the local clerk may have filed copies.

Pre-1881 records are harder to track down. Church records are often the best source for marriages from before the state started keeping vital records. Greece has several historic churches whose registers may contain marriage entries from the 1800s. The New York State Archives holds marriage indexes starting in 1881. Records more than 50 years old are open to the public.

The Rochester Public Library and the Greece Historical Society are two more places to check for older records. The historical society has local documents and can sometimes help fill in gaps that official records cannot cover. Their volunteers are familiar with the town's history and can point researchers in the right direction.

Greece and Monroe County Marriage Records

Greece is part of Monroe County. The county clerk's office in downtown Rochester handles county-level records and can assist with older filings. For current marriage licenses, though, the Greece Town Clerk is the correct office for anyone getting married within town limits.

Monroe County has several towns and cities, each with its own clerk. Rochester, the county seat, has the largest population. Irondequoit sits between Greece and Rochester along the lake shore. If a marriage took place outside of Greece but still in Monroe County, you would need to contact the clerk for that specific municipality.

The county clerk can sometimes help you figure out which town issued a license if you are not sure. This comes up with genealogy research more than anything. People may know a marriage happened in the Rochester area but not which specific town handled the paperwork.

Getting Certified Copies in Greece

A certified copy of a marriage record from Greece costs $10 at the town clerk's office. This is the version with the raised seal that courts and government agencies accept as proof of marriage. You might need a certified copy for a name change at the Social Security office, for insurance purposes, or to update a passport. The clerk can usually produce a copy the same day if you visit in person.

Mail requests should include both names, the date of the marriage, a check for $10, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Send it to the Greece Town Clerk at 1 Vince Tofany Blvd, Greece, NY 14612. Processing by mail takes a bit longer, usually one to two weeks depending on how busy the office is.

Marriage License Rules in Greece

No residency rule. Anyone can apply. Both people must be 18 or older. No blood test. The $40 fee covers the license application. The clerk accepts cash and checks. Plan for about 20 minutes to complete the process.

The officiant must return the signed marriage certificate to the Greece Town Clerk within five days of the ceremony. The clerk files the record locally and sends a copy to the New York State Department of Health. That creates the permanent state record. Civil ceremonies are available through the town. Call (585) 723-2410 to ask about scheduling. Even with a Town Hall ceremony, the 24-hour wait applies.

Monroe County Marriage Records

Greece is one of several towns in Monroe County. For broader county resources, visit the Monroe County page.

Nearby Cities

Other Monroe County communities with marriage records pages.