Find Marriage Records in Rochester

Marriage records in Rochester are filed with the City Clerk's office at City Hall. Rochester is the largest city in Monroe County and the third-largest in New York State. The clerk handles all marriage license applications, stores completed certificates, and issues certified copies. Records go back many decades, and the office also assists with genealogy requests. Whether you need a recent license or a historical record, the Rochester City Clerk is the place to start.

Where to Get Rochester Marriage Records

The Rochester City Clerk is the main source for marriage records in the city. City Clerk Adam R. McFadden runs the office at 30 Church Street, Room 105A, Rochester, NY 14614. The phone number is (585) 428-5049. Walk-in service is available during regular business hours on weekdays. You can apply for a new marriage license, look up an existing record, or request a certified copy.

A marriage license in Rochester costs $40. Both people must appear in person at the clerk's office to apply. Bring valid photo ID and proof of age. If either party was married before, bring proof that the prior marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or death certificate for a former spouse will work. The clerk reviews all documents before issuing the license.

New York requires a 24-hour waiting period after the license is issued. No ceremony can take place until that time passes. Under Domestic Relations Law Section 15, a judge may waive this rule in special cases. The license stays valid for 60 days. After that, it expires and you must apply again.

Searching Rochester Marriage Records

Contact the city clerk to search for a record. Give them both names and the rough date of the marriage. Staff can check their files and confirm if the record exists. Phone calls work for basic lookups, but you need to visit or send a written request for a certified copy. Each certified copy costs $10.

The New York State Department of Health also holds marriage records from 1881 onward for areas outside of New York City. Rochester records are part of this system. A state copy costs $30 by mail. The online vendor charges around $45 with fees included. Standard processing takes 8 to 10 weeks. Expedited handling is $15 extra and cuts the wait to about two weeks.

Rochester is a large city, so records can sometimes take a bit longer to find in local files. If you know the exact year and month, that helps the clerk narrow things down. For records you cannot find through the city, the state serves as a backup. Some people try both at the same time to speed things up.

Historical Marriage Records in Rochester

Older marriage records in Rochester may require some extra steps. The city clerk holds records going back many years, but very old records sometimes end up at the county level or the state archives. The Monroe County Clerk at 39 West Main Street in Rochester can help with records from 1908 through 1935, when the county was responsible for filing.

For records before 1881, church records are the best bet. Rochester has a long history and many congregations kept marriage registers going back over a century. The New York State Archives has marriage indexes from 1881 onward. Records over 50 years old are generally open to public research.

The Rochester Public Library also has a local history division that can help with genealogy research. They hold city directories, newspaper indexes, and other documents that can help you track down old marriage information. The Central Library is at 115 South Avenue, just a short walk from City Hall.

Rochester and Monroe County Marriage Records

Rochester is the county seat of Monroe County. The county clerk at 39 West Main Street handles records for the broader county area. If a marriage took place in one of the surrounding towns rather than in Rochester proper, the town clerk for that location would be the one to contact first.

Monroe County includes several suburbs and towns around Rochester. Greece and Irondequoit are among the larger ones. Each town has its own clerk who handles marriage licenses for that municipality. The county clerk can help direct you to the right office if you are not sure where the license was issued.

Rochester residents who got married in the city should go through the city clerk. The county clerk is a separate office and handles county-level records. For older records in that 1908 to 1935 window, the county clerk may hold the only copy.

Marriage License Rules in Rochester

No residency requirement exists. Anyone can apply at the Rochester City Clerk's office. Both people must be at least 18 years old. No blood test is needed. The whole application takes about 20 minutes. The clerk checks IDs, has you fill out the form, and collects the $40 fee. Cash, checks, and money orders are accepted.

After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed marriage certificate to the clerk within five days. The clerk files the record and sends a copy to the New York State Department of Health. This creates the permanent record. Civil ceremonies are available through the city. Call the clerk's office at (585) 428-5049 for details on scheduling. The 24-hour wait still applies even for civil ceremonies at City Hall.

Monroe County Marriage Records

Rochester is the county seat of Monroe County. For more marriage records resources across the county, visit the Monroe County page.

Nearby Cities

Other Monroe County communities with marriage records pages.