Search Queens County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Queens County are handled by the New York City Clerk's office, since Queens is one of the five boroughs of New York City. The Queens office of the City Clerk is at 120-55 Queens Boulevard, Room G-100, in Kew Gardens. Unlike counties outside the city, Queens does not have independent town clerks issuing marriage licenses. Everything goes through the NYC City Clerk system. Records from 1996 to the present are available at the Queens office, while records from 1950 to 1995 can only be obtained at the Manhattan office at 141 Worth Street. For records before 1950, you need the NYC Municipal Archives.

Where to Get Queens Marriage Records

The NYC City Clerk's Queens office is at 120-55 Queens Boulevard, Room G-100, Kew Gardens, NY 11424. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Appointments are required for marriage licenses and can be booked through nyc.gov/cupid. Walk-ins are not accepted for license applications. This is different from most counties outside the city, where you can often walk in without an appointment.

The Queens office holds marriage records from 1996 to the present. If you need a record from 1950 through 1995, you must go to the Manhattan City Clerk's office at 141 Worth Street. That is the only location with records from that period. Records before 1950 are held by the NYC Municipal Archives at 31 Chambers Street in Manhattan. The archives have marriage records going back to 1866 for the areas that became the five boroughs.

Under Domestic Relations Law Section 15, both parties must appear in person to get a marriage license. The NYC license fee is $35. A 24-hour waiting period applies. The license is good for 60 days. NYC also charges $30 for a ceremony performed by the City Clerk, which is optional. These fees and rules apply at all five borough offices.

How to Get Copies of Marriage Records

Certified copies of marriage certificates from Queens come in two types. A domestic certificate costs $15 in person or $10 by mail. An extended certificate, which includes more detail, costs $35 in person or $30 by mail. Most people need the domestic version for standard purposes. The extended version is sometimes needed for international use or immigration matters.

You can order copies in person at the Queens office for records from 1996 onward. For mail requests, send them to the NYC City Clerk at 141 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013. Include the full names of both spouses, the date of the marriage, and a check or money order payable to the City Clerk. Mail requests are processed in the order they come in, and turnaround varies. During busy periods, expect several weeks.

Online requests can also be made through the NYC marriage records portal. The system allows you to search for records and order certified copies. This is the most convenient option for many people, though the fees are slightly higher than mail orders due to processing charges. The portal covers records from all five boroughs.

How NYC Marriage Records Differ from the Rest of the State

New York City handles marriage records differently than the rest of the state. Outside the city, the New York State Department of Health keeps copies of all marriage certificates. Inside the city, the NYC City Clerk is the primary custodian. The state health department does not hold NYC marriage records. This is an important distinction. If a marriage took place in Queens, you cannot get the certificate from the state. You must go through the city.

The Municipal Archives at 31 Chambers Street holds the oldest marriage records for Queens. Their collection goes back to 1866. These records cover marriages from before Queens was even part of New York City, since the consolidation happened in 1898. The archives are open to the public and charge fees for copies. They are a key resource for genealogy research in the borough.

Queens is the most ethnically diverse borough and one of the most diverse places in the world. The City Clerk's office processes marriage licenses in multiple languages and accommodates a wide range of documentation from different countries. If you are bringing foreign documents, they may need to be translated and notarized before the clerk can accept them.

Appointments and the License Process

All marriage license appointments in Queens must be booked through the city's online system at nyc.gov/cupid. Same-day appointments are sometimes available, but planning ahead is better. Popular dates like Valentine's Day and certain holidays book up fast. The appointment takes about 30 minutes. Both people must attend and bring valid photo ID, proof of age, and any required divorce or death documentation.

After the 24-hour waiting period, the couple can have the ceremony. The City Clerk performs civil ceremonies at the Queens office for $30. Many couples choose this option for convenience. Others use the license for a ceremony at a separate venue with their own officiant. Either way, the signed license must be returned to the City Clerk within five days of the ceremony for proper filing.

Cities in Queens County

Queens County is part of New York City. See the city page for more details on marriage records across all five boroughs.

Nearby Counties

Queens borders other NYC boroughs and Nassau County on Long Island. Each has its own approach to marriage records.