Search Westchester County Marriage Records

Westchester County marriage records are handled by the city and town clerks who issue each license, with the county clerk's office in White Plains holding records from 1908 through 1935. This densely populated county just north of New York City has six cities, numerous towns, and villages, each with its own clerk. For records after 1935, you need to contact the specific clerk where the license was purchased. The county clerk can help with the older records and point you toward the right local office.

Where to Get Westchester County Marriage Records

Timothy C. Idoni serves as the Westchester County Clerk. The office is at 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in White Plains, NY 10601. You can reach them at (914) 995-3070. The county clerk holds marriage records from 1908 to 1935. For records outside that window, you need the city or town clerk who issued the license.

Westchester County is large and has many municipalities. The six cities are Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Peekskill, Rye, White Plains, and Yonkers. Each city has its own clerk who handles marriage licenses and records. Yonkers and White Plains process the highest volume. Beyond the cities, there are numerous towns including Bedford, Cortlandt, Eastchester, Greenburgh, Harrison, Lewisboro, Mamaroneck, Mount Kisco, Mount Pleasant, New Castle, North Castle, North Salem, Ossining, Pelham, Pound Ridge, Scarsdale, Somers, and Yorktown.

With so many municipalities, tracking down a marriage record in Westchester can take some effort. The key is knowing where the couple got their license. It is not always where they lived or where the wedding took place. Couples can get a license from any clerk in the state, so the filing location might surprise you. If you are stuck, the county clerk's staff can sometimes help narrow down the search.

Searching for Marriage Records in Westchester County

Start with the municipality. If you know which city or town issued the license, contact that clerk directly. For records between 1908 and 1935, the county clerk at (914) 995-3070 is your source. They can search by name. For post-1935 records, you need the specific local clerk.

If you do not know the municipality, the New York State Department of Health can search statewide. They hold marriage certificates from 1881 to the present for areas outside New York City. Mail requests cost $30 and online orders are $45 plus fees. The state route takes 8 to 10 weeks by mail, or about two weeks with priority handling for an extra $15. This is often the best option when you know the marriage was somewhere in Westchester but are not sure which clerk handled it.

Westchester is close to New York City, and some couples who lived in the county got their licenses in the city instead, or vice versa. Keep that in mind during your search. NYC marriage records are handled by the City Clerk, not the state health department. If you think the license might have been obtained in one of the five boroughs, that is a separate search.

The New York State Archives in Albany holds marriage indexes from 1881. Records over 50 years old are open for public research. The indexes can confirm if a record exists and tell you which municipality filed it. That saves time before you start calling individual clerks.

Historical Marriage Records in Westchester County

Westchester County is one of the original 12 counties established in 1683. Marriage records from before 1908 are not in the county clerk's collection. Church records are the primary source for older marriages. The county has a rich collection of historic churches, and many kept detailed registers of baptisms, marriages, and burials going back to the 1600s.

The Westchester County Historical Society in Elmsford has research materials for genealogy work. They hold family files, local histories, newspaper clippings, and other documents. The society can be a valuable resource when official records do not go back far enough. Local libraries throughout the county also maintain history collections. The White Plains Public Library and the Yonkers Public Library both have dedicated local history rooms.

Access rules for marriage records in New York depend on the age of the record. Under Domestic Relations Law, records less than 50 years old have restricted access. Only the people named, their legal representatives, or certain family members can get certified copies. After 50 years, the records become publicly available. This matters when you are researching family history but the marriage happened within the past few decades.

Marriage License Requirements in Westchester County

Both parties must appear in person at a city or town clerk's office. The fee is $40, the same at every office in the county. Bring valid photo ID and proof of age. If either party was previously married, a certified divorce decree or death certificate is needed. Both people must be at least 18 years old. No blood test. No residency requirement.

The 24-hour waiting period starts when the license is issued. After that, the license is valid for 60 days and can be used anywhere in New York. Yonkers, White Plains, and New Rochelle are the busiest offices for license applications. The state marriage guide explains the full process. Some Westchester clerks accept appointments, which can save time during busy periods.

Westchester County Marriage Record Fees

Certified copies from a local clerk cost $10. Extras at the same time are $5. The state health department charges $30 by mail or $45 online. All fees are set by state law. Most city and town clerks in Westchester accept multiple payment methods including credit cards, checks, and cash. Some smaller town clerks may be more limited, so call ahead if you are not sure.

Cities in Westchester County

These Westchester County cities and towns have dedicated pages with more detail on local marriage record services.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Westchester. Check the relevant page if the marriage may have taken place in a neighboring area.