Wyoming County Marriage Records

Wyoming County marriage records are kept by the individual town clerks and by the county clerk's office in Warsaw for the 1908 to 1935 period. This rural western New York county has 16 towns, each with its own clerk who handles marriage licenses and maintains local records. The county clerk can assist with older records and help direct you to the right town clerk for anything after 1935. Warsaw, the county seat, is centrally located and serves as the hub for county government services.

Where to Get Wyoming County Marriage Records

Kelli A. Vacco is the Wyoming County Clerk. The office is at 143 N. Main Street in Warsaw, NY 14569. Call (585) 786-8810 to reach them. The county clerk holds marriage records from 1908 through 1935, the period when New York required county-level filing. For records before or after that window, you need a different source.

After 1935, town clerks became the sole local holders of marriage records. Wyoming County has 16 towns: Arcade, Attica, Bennington, Castile, Covington, Eagle, Gainesville, Genesee Falls, Java, Middlebury, Orangeville, Perry, Pike, Sheldon, Warsaw, and Wethersfield. Each has its own clerk. In a rural county like Wyoming, some of these town clerks keep limited hours. Calling ahead is important.

Attica and Warsaw are the two largest communities. Their town clerks handle the most marriage license applications and record requests. Arcade and Perry are also notable population centers. If you are not sure which town issued a particular license, starting with one of these four is a reasonable approach.

Searching for Marriage Records in Wyoming County

Know the time period. For 1908 to 1935, call the county clerk at (585) 786-8810. They can check their records by name. For anything after 1935, contact the town clerk. If you know where the couple lived, that is the most logical starting point. In a rural county, people sometimes went to a neighboring town for their license, so be prepared to check more than one office.

The New York State Department of Health holds copies of marriage certificates from 1881 to the present for areas outside New York City. This is a useful fallback when you are not sure which town clerk has the record. Mail requests cost $30. Online orders through their vendor are $45 plus processing fees. Processing takes 8 to 10 weeks by regular mail. Priority handling is available for $15 extra and cuts the wait to about two weeks.

For genealogy research, the New York State Archives in Albany holds marriage indexes from 1881 onward. Records over 50 years old are accessible to the general public. The indexes can tell you the names, date, and filing location, which helps you contact the right town clerk for a certified copy. The Wyoming County Historian's office in Warsaw is another resource for local research and can sometimes point you to sources beyond the official records.

Historical Marriage Records in Wyoming County

Wyoming County was formed in 1841 from Genesee County. Marriage records from before 1881 are not in state databases. Church records are the primary source for early marriages. The area was settled by New Englanders moving west along the Erie Canal corridor, and many of their churches kept careful records. The Wyoming County Historical Society has materials that may help with pre-1881 research.

The 1908 to 1935 county clerk collection covers a period when the county was largely agricultural. Families tended to stay in the area for generations, which means the records from this era capture a lot of long-established local families. The county clerk's staff can search these records by name and approximate date.

Under New York's Domestic Relations Law, marriage records become publicly accessible after 50 years. More recent records are restricted to the parties named, their legal representatives, or qualifying family members. This is important for genealogy researchers to keep in mind when requesting copies of relatively recent records. Older records are generally easier to obtain.

Getting a Marriage License in Wyoming County

Any town clerk in the county can issue a license. Both parties must appear together. The fee is $40. Bring valid photo ID and proof of age. If previously married, you need proof the prior marriage ended. Both people must be at least 18. No blood test. No residency requirement. The application takes about 15 minutes.

After the license is issued, there is a 24-hour waiting period before the ceremony can take place. The license is valid for 60 days and good anywhere in New York State. A judge can waive the waiting period in special cases, but that rarely happens. The officiant signs the license after the ceremony and returns it to the issuing clerk, who files it and can then provide certified copies.

The New York State marriage guide has the full rundown of requirements. In Wyoming County, some town clerks only keep office hours a few days a week. If you plan to apply for a license, call the clerk's office first to make sure they will be open when you arrive. The Warsaw and Attica clerks generally have the most consistent schedules.

Wyoming County Marriage Record Fees

Certified copies from a town clerk are $10 each. Additional copies at the same time cost $5. State health department copies are $30 by mail or $45 online. Priority handling from the state costs $15 extra. All fees are set by state law and do not vary between towns. Most clerks in Wyoming County accept cash and checks. Call ahead to confirm what payment methods the specific office takes.

Nearby Counties

Wyoming County borders these western New York counties. Check the relevant page if the marriage may have occurred in a neighboring area.