Richmond County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Richmond County, which covers Staten Island, are handled by the New York City Clerk's office. The Staten Island office is at 10 Richmond Terrace, 3rd Floor, Room 311, in Staten Island. As one of the five NYC boroughs, Richmond County uses the citywide system for marriage licenses and record keeping. The Staten Island office holds records from 1996 to the present. Records from 1950 through 1995 are only available at the Manhattan office at 141 Worth Street. Anything before 1950 goes through the NYC Municipal Archives. This split makes it important to know the approximate date of the marriage before you start your search.

Where to Get Richmond County Marriage Records

The City Clerk's Staten Island office is at 10 Richmond Terrace, 3rd Floor, Room 311, Staten Island, NY 10301. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. This office processes marriage license applications and provides certified copies of records from 1996 forward. Appointments are required for marriage licenses and can be scheduled through nyc.gov/cupid.

For records from 1950 to 1995, you must visit or write to the Manhattan City Clerk's office at 141 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013. The Staten Island office cannot access records from that period. This catches some people off guard, especially those who assume their local borough office can pull any city record. Records before 1950 are held at the NYC Municipal Archives at 31 Chambers Street in Manhattan.

New York City marriage licenses cost $35 under Domestic Relations Law Section 15. Both applicants must appear in person. The 24-hour waiting period applies, and the license is valid for 60 days. A City Clerk ceremony costs $30 if you choose that option. The Staten Island office performs ceremonies during regular business hours.

Ordering Copies of Marriage Certificates

Certified copies come in two types. A domestic certificate costs $15 in person or $10 by mail. An extended certificate is $35 in person or $30 by mail. The domestic version works for most purposes within the United States. The extended version adds more detail and is sometimes needed for immigration or international use.

In-person requests at the Staten Island office are limited to records from 1996 onward. For mail requests covering any year, send them to the NYC City Clerk at 141 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013. Include both spouses' full names, the marriage date, and a check or money order payable to the City Clerk of New York. You can also order through the online portal, which covers records from all five boroughs and all available years.

The Municipal Archives hold the oldest records. Their collection for Richmond County goes back to the mid-1800s, predating the consolidation of New York City in 1898. Before consolidation, Staten Island was part of Richmond County as an independent entity. The archives have preserved those records and made many of them available for research. There is a small fee for copies, and the reading room is open to the public on weekdays.

How the NYC Marriage Record System Works

Unlike counties outside New York City, Richmond County does not have independent town or city clerks for marriage purposes. Everything runs through the NYC City Clerk system. A couple can get their license at any of the five borough offices and have the ceremony anywhere in New York State. The license ties back to the borough office where it was issued.

The New York State Department of Health does not hold copies of NYC marriage records. This is a key difference from the rest of the state. If a marriage took place in Staten Island, you cannot order the certificate from the state health department. You must go through the city. For marriages outside NYC, the state health department is an option. This matters when you are not sure whether the ceremony happened in the city or just outside it.

Staten Island residents who need marriage records from other parts of the state can use the state health department's mail or online ordering system. Records from 1881 to the present for non-NYC areas are available for $30 by mail or $45 through VitalChek online. The New York State Archives also has indexes going back to 1881 for areas outside the city.

Marriage License Requirements

Both people must appear at the City Clerk's office with valid photo ID and proof of age. A driver's license, passport, or state ID works. If either person was previously married, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or the death certificate of the former spouse. Foreign documents may need translation and notarization. The clerk reviews everything during the appointment and processes the license on the spot.

The 24-hour waiting period under Domestic Relations Law Section 15 starts when the clerk issues the license. You cannot have the ceremony until that wait is over. A judge can waive it, but you need to file a request with the court and show good cause. Most couples just plan around it. The license then stays valid for 60 days, which gives you plenty of time to schedule the ceremony. If the 60 days pass without a wedding, the license expires and you have to start over with a new application and fee.

For genealogy, the NYC Municipal Archives at 31 Chambers Street hold the oldest Richmond County marriage records. Their collection goes back well before 1898. The archives reading room is open weekdays. There is a small copy fee. The NYS Archives in Albany do not cover New York City records, so the Municipal Archives are the right place for historical Staten Island research. The NY.gov marriage page has general guidance on the statewide process, though NYC has its own set of rules and fees that differ from the rest of the state.

Cities in Richmond County

Richmond County is part of New York City. See the city page for details covering all five boroughs.

Nearby Counties

Richmond County is connected to Brooklyn by the Verrazzle-Narrows Bridge and to Manhattan by the Staten Island Ferry.