Marriage records in New York are available through several channels. NewYorkCourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly available information about marriage records in the county. Additionally, certified copies can be obtained directly from the relevant authority — Office of the City Clerk (for marriages conducted in New York City) or through the New York State Department of Health. Requests are accepted online, in person, and by mail.
New York Marriage Records Search
In New York City, marriage licenses are issued and registered by the Office of the City Clerk. This office maintains records of marriage licenses and marriage certificates starting from 1930 — for all five boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island). Older records, prior to 1930, are stored in the city's Municipal Archives.
For marriages registered outside the city but within the state, records are maintained by the New York State Department of Health (Vital Records Section). This applies to all 62 counties in the state.
Main office of the City Clerk for obtaining marriage licenses in Manhattan:
Office of the City Clerk — Manhattan
Records include: full names of the spouses, date and place of marriage, license number, details of witnesses, and the person who conducted the ceremony. For genealogical research, it is advisable to contact the NYC Municipal Archives, where historical records are kept.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in New York
The cost of obtaining copies of marriage records depends on whether you contact the city clerk or the state. Below are the fees for requests through the Office of the City Clerk NYC:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of marriage certificate (City Clerk) | $15 |
| Record search (if the exact date is unknown) | $15 |
| Certified copy through NYS Department of Health | $30 |
| Additional copy (in one order, through the state) | $30 each |
| Expedited processing (NYS DOH, in addition to the main fee) | $15 |
Fees are set according to the New York Public Health Law and the rates of the Office of the City Clerk. Processing a request through the City Clerk usually takes several weeks. Requests through the NYS Department of Health may take 6–8 weeks to process; expedited processing shortens this period.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in New York
There are three main ways to order a marriage certificate.
Online
For marriages registered in any county of New York State (including the city's five boroughs), a certified copy can be ordered through the NYS Department of Health — Vital Records portal. The state accepts online orders through a third-party provider (VitalChek), where an additional service fee is charged.
For marriages conducted directly in New York City, the Office of the City Clerk also allows requests to be submitted online through the official City Clerk website.
In Person
Visit the Office of the City Clerk at the address mentioned above. Bring with you:
- A valid photo ID
- Marriage information — names of the spouses, approximate date
- Payment (credit/debit cards and money orders are usually accepted)
An appointment is not always required but recommended — check the latest information on the clerk's website.
By Mail
Send a request to the Office of the City Clerk or the NYS Department of Health. Include in the envelope:
- A completed application for a copy of the marriage certificate (the form can be downloaded from the respective agency's website)
- A copy of a photo ID
- A money order for the appropriate amount, made payable to "NYC City Clerk" or "NYS Department of Health"
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Mailing address for state requests:
For records of divorces in New York, contact the County Clerk of the respective borough — these records are kept separately from marriage records.
If you need general information about county public records, use NewYorkCourt.us as a starting point for your search.