New York Marriage Records

New York marriage records are vital records that provide information on married couples and couples who intend to wed within the Empire State. Historically, churches played a significant role in recording marriages before civil authorities took over this function. These records, as well as New York family court records are typically maintained by the state vital record office or the city clerk’s office.

The following information may be contained in a record:

• The full name of the bride
• Full name of the groom
• Name of parents
• Couples’ address (es) as at the time of marriage
• Place of birth for both couples

Marriage records are necessary for various reasons. Genealogical researchers rely on them when tracking family lines. County jurisdictions are essential for locating marriage records, as records are often maintained at the county level. Certified copies of a marriage record are vital for establishing proof of marriage and identity during official processes, such as name changes, applying for a passport, or handling joint financial concerns.

What Types Of Marriage Records Are Available In New York?

New York maintains different types of marriage records, from documents created during the license application process to those filed after the wedding ceremony. Earlier, personal records kept by officiants or individuals who conducted ceremonies also served as documentation before official record-keeping systems were established. The relevant authorities officially record these documents to create a legal record of the marriage.

New York Marriage License

A New York marriage license is a mandated legal document required for any marriage within the Empire State. Unlike marriage certificates, which are created after a wedding ceremony, licenses are issued by the town or city clerk before the ceremony; in some jurisdictions, the county clerk is responsible for issuing and recording marriage licenses. To obtain a license, both parties must submit an application, provide documents that confirm their identity and age, and pay the appropriate fee. Money order, Mastercard, Visa, or other accepted payment methods can pay fees. If applying by mail, the money order should be made payable to the appropriate office, such as 'money order payable to the City Clerk of New York.' Depending on their marital status, previously married applicants may also need documentation showing they are single and free to marry, such as a divorce decree or evidence of annulment.

Note: In compliance with the Marriage Equality Act, same-sex couples can also obtain marriage licenses in New York.

New York Marriage Certificate

A New York marriage certificate is an official document created after a wedding ceremony that includes essential marriage information such as the names of the parties and marriage dates. It provides documented proof that a wedding ceremony occurred and that a legal officiant married the named parties. Wedding certificates are used when claiming tax and Medicaid benefits or making name changes after the wedding.

Are New York Marriage Records Public?

Access to public marriage records in the Empire State will depend on the creation date. Any New York marriage record older than 50 falls under the public umbrella and is available to the general public. Record seekers can obtain such public information by contacting official record custodians to request marriage records or searching marriage indexes and city archives.

In contrast, more recently created records remain confidential and can only be accessed by eligible parties, such as the spouses named on the document and any closed family members. To obtain public New York Marriage records, you must provide details about the marriage, such as the full name of one or both spouses, the year the license was filed, and the date and location of the marriage. Record seekers can search for records using available indexes or submit a formal request to the appropriate authority.

How to Find Marriage Records in New York

Individuals seeking marriage records in New York can follow several general steps.

Step 1. Identify Where the Marriage Occurred

The oversight of marriage records in New York falls under different agencies, depending on where the marriage occurred. While the Department of Health maintains all licenses issued in the state since 1880, it does not record licenses issued in New York City. Instead, the oversight of all licenses granted in Queens, Bronx, Manhattan, Kings, or Staten Island falls under the purview of the New York City Clerk’s Office. Individuals may need to visit the appropriate office to access certain records.

Step 2. Collect Necessary Information

To obtain copies of a marriage record, you must fill out an application form and provide related details linked to the record. Some information may also be submitted through the department's official website.

Record seekers may also need a government-issued ID to prove their identity. Some acceptable forms of identification include a driver’s license, an IDNYC card, a valid passport, or a naturalization certificate.

Step 3. Submit Application

Applicants can submit requests for records in person or via mail. In-person requests for records created between 1950 and 1995 in New York City are processed at the Manhattan City Clerk’s Office, Record Room Division, located at 141 Worth Street. However, records created from 1996 can be obtained at any City Clerk borough office. Requests can also be made in writing, and digital images of records may be available for certain years up to the present.

Alternatively, requesters can mail in their application (along with the applicable fee and any required documentation) to the following:

City Clerk of New York
141 Worth Street
New York, NY 10013
Attn: Record Room

Please note that some records and images are accessible online or in person, with availability extending from historical dates to the present.

How to Get a Marriage License in New York

Under New York laws, intending couples must obtain a marriage license from the clerk at any borough office before holding a legal wedding. While the rules for obtaining a license may vary in different cities or towns, the process is generally similar.

Step 1. Meet the New York Marriage License Requirements

Almost anyone can obtain a marriage license in New York if they meet the state requirements. Unlike some states, New York does not require applicants to be state residents or submit to a blood test. However, both parties must be at least 18 or, when a party is 17, provide written consent signed by a judge and both parents. Applicants must also be single and unrelated. Marriage licenses are a type of civil record maintained by government authorities, serving as official documentation of the marriage.

Step 2. Prepare Necessary Information

When applying for a marriage license, both parties must provide some information that will be added to the affidavit and become part of the record. Some of the details include the following:

• Full name of applicants (first, middle, and last)
• Current address (city, state, zip code)
• Place of birth
• Age and gender
• Social security number
• Marital history

Both parties will also need to provide documentation to prove their age. Some acceptable options include a passport, driver’s license, certified copy of a birth record, certification of birth, life insurance policy, or a naturalization record.

Step 3. Submit Application and Pay

Applications for a marriage license must be made in person at the town or city clerk’s office. Both parties must also sign the license. While the cost generally varies across towns and counties, marriage licenses cost $40 on average. Payments made via a debit card or credit card include a convenience fee.

Once issued, licenses must be used anywhere within the state before expiration. However, licenses have a 24-hour waiting period, meaning the applicant must wait a day before getting married. Marriages do not have to be done immediately. A New York marriage license remains valid for sixty days, the only exception being licenses issued to active military personnel, which remain valid for 180 days. Applicants who are unable to access online forms may submit their application in writing or in person.

Who Can Obtain Marriage Records in New York?

Anyone may obtain copies of New York marriage records created before 1950. Such documents can be viewed or obtained by searching, browsing, or submitting applications to custodial agencies, such as municipal archives. However, to obtain marriage records created after 1950 in New York, applicants must show a direct, tangible interest. Such documents are only issued to eligible parties such as spouses or legally authorized persons. If both spouses are deceased, the requester may need to provide original death certificates along with proper identification to obtain the marriage record. To ensure compliance, applicants must provide a valid government-issued ID, such as a U.S. Military-issued photo ID. Requests that do not include proper identification may be declined.

Can You Lookup Online Marriage Records For Free in New York?

Older marriage records may be available by searching online indexes maintained by New York municipal archives. These indexes may include civil records maintained by county authorities, which serve as official government documents recording vital events like marriages. Such records typically provide publicly accessible information, such as the names of the married parties and the marriage date. Record seekers may also be able to look up some marriage records for free using third-party platforms. Operating as private entities independent of the New York state government or any official agency, such sites provide access to records compiled from multiple jurisdictions, including county-level records, across New York. Access to some records may require essential information, such as the subject’s name or marriage location.

Is New York a Common Law State for Marriage?

No. New York does not allow the creation of common law marriages within its borders. Notwithstanding, it recognizes the validity of any common-law marriage created in states that recognize this type of union. As of 2024, common law marriages are fully or partially recognized in over a dozen US states, including Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Texas.

In a common law marriage, two parties are legally deemed married even if they have yet to obtain a marriage license or conduct a wedding ceremony. Although the rules vary across supporting states, the general requirement for creating this type of union is that couples must behave as a married couple. This typically means that:

• Both parties must hold themselves out as married to friends, family, and the community
• Both parties must live together for a fixed period
• Both parties must be unrelated and old enough to marry (under state laws)

Couples in an established common-law marriage are entitled to all the rights of a formal marriage, including the right to spousal support, inheritance, and property division (in the event of a separation).

Domestic Partnership in New York City

Unmarried parties who wish to establish a relationship may also consider a Domestic Partnership. Such agreements are recognized and legally binding in New York City. Some of the general requirements for registering a domestic partnership in New York City include:

• Both parties must be residents of the city.
• Both parties must be single, unrelated by blood, and at least 18 years old
• Both parties must complete, sign, and submit a notarized agreement form
• Both parties must have been cohabiting for an extended period