Find Marriage Records in Bronx County

Bronx County marriage records are handled by the New York City Clerk's Office, not a county clerk. As one of the five boroughs of New York City, the Bronx follows the city's system for marriage licenses and record keeping. The Bronx office of the City Clerk is in the Supreme Court Building at 851 Grand Concourse. For records from 1950 to the present, the City Clerk can help. Older records going back before 1950 are held at the NYC Municipal Archives in Manhattan.

Bronx County Marriage Records Through the NYC City Clerk

The Bronx is different from most New York counties. It does not have a traditional county clerk that handles marriage records. Instead, the NYC City Clerk manages all marriage licenses and certificates for the entire city, including the Bronx. The Bronx office sits in the Supreme Court Building at 851 Grand Concourse, Room B131, Bronx, NY 10451. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4 PM.

Marriage records from 1950 to the present are available from the City Clerk. For Bronx records specifically from 1950 to 1995, you may need to go through the Manhattan office at 141 Worth Street instead. The City Clerk's record system is organized by borough and time period, so where you go depends on when the marriage took place. Appointments are required for most services. You can book through nyc.gov/cupid.

Records less than 50 years old have restrictions. Only the spouses named on the certificate, their attorneys, or other authorized persons can get certified copies. After 50 years, marriage records become public. Anyone can request them for genealogy or other purposes. This 50-year rule applies to all five NYC boroughs, including Bronx County.

Fees for Bronx County Marriage Records

The fee structure for Bronx County marriage records follows the NYC City Clerk's schedule. There are two types of copies. A domestic certificate costs $15 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. An extended certificate costs $35 for the first copy and $30 for each extra. The extended version includes more details about the couple.

You can order copies in person at the Bronx office or by mail. Mail requests go to the City Clerk of New York, 141 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013, Attn: Record Room. Include a check or money order payable to the City Clerk. Mail orders take 4 to 6 weeks to process. There is no way to speed that up through the mail system.

Online ordering is not available directly from the City Clerk for record copies. However, the NYC marriage records portal can guide you through the process and help you figure out where to send your request.

Historical Bronx County Marriage Records Before 1950

For Bronx County marriage records from before 1950, the NYC Municipal Archives is the place to go. The archives hold marriage certificates, licenses, and related documents from across the city's history. The Municipal Archives reading room is at 31 Chambers Street in Manhattan. Access is free, but you need to check their schedule before visiting.

The Bronx became a separate county in 1914, splitting off from New York County (Manhattan). Marriage records from before that split may be filed under New York County. This can confuse people who are looking for older Bronx marriage records. If you cannot find a record under Bronx County, try searching under New York County for marriages that took place before 1914. The Municipal Archives staff can help sort this out.

The New York State Archives does not hold NYC marriage records. The state health department also does not have them. For any Bronx County marriage record, you must go through the city system. That is the key difference between NYC boroughs and the rest of the state. The state office in Albany cannot help with Bronx records at all.

Getting a Marriage License in Bronx County

To get a marriage license in the Bronx, both people must appear in person at the City Clerk's Bronx office. You need an appointment, which you can make at nyc.gov/cupid. Bring a valid photo ID and proof of age. Under Domestic Relations Law Section 15, there is a 24-hour waiting period. The license is good for 60 days after that.

The license fee in New York City is $35. That is $5 less than the $40 fee charged by clerks outside the city. NYC set its own fee structure. If either person has been married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate for the former spouse. Both people must be 18 or older.

The Bronx office can also perform civil ceremonies. Many couples get their license and have the ceremony on the same visit, though the 24-hour waiting period means you would need to come back the next day for the ceremony. A judge can waive the waiting period, but that requires a court order and is not common.

Searching for Bronx Marriage Records by Mail

If you cannot visit in person, mail is the main option for Bronx County marriage records. Send your request to the City Clerk of New York, 141 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013, Attn: Record Room. Include the full names of both spouses, the approximate date of marriage, and a check or money order for the fee. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks.

Non-residents who need a copy for legal purposes should include a notarized statement explaining why they need the record. The City Clerk's office reviews these requests to make sure they comply with privacy rules. For records under 50 years old, you need to show that you are an authorized person under New York law.

Cities in Bronx County

Bronx County is entirely within New York City. All marriage records are handled through the NYC City Clerk system.

Nearby Counties

Bronx County borders these counties in the New York City metro area.