How to Find New York City Marriage Records

Looking for a marriage record from New York City as part of your genealogy research? On January 1, 1898, the towns located in four counties (New York, Richmond, Queens, and Kings) were consolidated into the five boroughs of New York City (Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island). Prior to this time, New York City referred primarily to Manhattan. Records for the towns that became New York City (prior to 1930) do exist, many of which are held by New York City's Municipal Archives. Later records are held by the New York City Office of the city clerk.

According to New York State law, marriage records for New York City are not filed with the state of New York. Learn how to find New York state marriage records outside New York City

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Next Step: When and where did the marriage occur?

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 * Choose a borough and time period:


 * Manhattan:
 * Before 1829
 * 1829 thru 1865
 * 1866 thru 1937
 * 1937 thru present


 * Brooklyn:
 * Before 1864
 * 1864 thru 1937
 * 1937 thru present


 * Queens:
 * Before 1847
 * 1847 thru 1849
 * 1850 thru 1880
 * 1881 thru 1937
 * 1937 thru present


 * Richmond/Staten Island:
 * Before 1847
 * 1847 thru 1897
 * 1898 thru 1937
 * 1937 thru present


 * The Bronx:
 * Before 1898
 * 1898 thru 1937
 * 1937 thru present


 * All Boroughs:
 * 1888 thru 1937
 * 1937 thru present
 * Marriage year unknown


 * }

Marriages before 1829
The Secretary of the Province of New York issued approximately 20,000 marriage licenses before 1784.

In most cases during this time period, you will need to search substitute records to locate your ancestors' marriage date and place. Substitutes for marriage record information:

Return to top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1829 thru 1865
Return to top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages before 1847 (Queens and Staten Island)
The Secretary of the Province of New York issued approximately 20,000 marriage licenses before 1784.

In most cases during this time period, you will need to search substitute records to locate your ancestors' marriage date and place. Substitutes for marriage record information:

Return to top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1847 thru 1849 (Queens)
In 1847, New York State passed a law requiring marriages to be reported. It quickly fell into disfavor and few communities reported marriages after 1850 (with many discontinuing after the 1847-1848 time period). Towns records of Queens County were kept from 1847 to 1849. The towns included were Far Rockaway, Flushing Town, Flushing Village, Jamaica Town, Richmond Hill, Rockaway Beach, and Flatbush. The records only have date of marriage, name of couple, residence, clergyman, and age of couple; no parents are listed.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
PART A: You know the year and have a certificate number

With a year and a certificate number, you can either locate a copy of the FamilySearch microfilm or order a copy of the death record from the New York City Municipal Archives for a fee

See list of restrictions for ordering marriage records

If you do not want to order the marriage record, you can search Other records with marriage information

PART B: You don't know the year or have a certificate number 

If you do not know the exact year and certificate number, the New York City Municipal Archives will search for the record for a fee.

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the marriage record, you can search Search other records with marriage information. Return to top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1847 thru 1897 (Richmond and Staten Island)
There are some available marriage records for 1847 to 1897 for Richmond. There are no indexes for those records before 1882. The index from 1882 thru 1897 is available only on microfilm.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
PART A: You know the year and have a certificate number

With a year and a certificate number, you can either order a copy of the FamilySearch microfilm or order a copy of the death record from the New York City Municipal Archives for a fee

See list of restrictions for ordering marriage records

If you do not want to order the marriage record, you can search Other records with marriage information

PART B: You don't know the year or have a certificate number 

If you do not know the exact year and certificate number, the New York City Municipal Archives will search for the record for a fee.

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the marriage record, you can search Search other records with marriage information. Return to top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1850 thru 1880 (Queens)
In most cases during this time period, you will need to search substitute records to locate your ancestors' marriage date and place. Substitutes for marriage record information:

Return to top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages before 1864 (Brooklyn)
The Secretary of the Province of New York issued approximately 20,000 marriage licenses before 1784.

In most cases during this time period, you will need to search substitute records to locate your ancestors' marriage date and place. Substitutes for marriage record information:

Return to top: Choose another marriage year

OPTION TWO: Obtain the Marriage Certificate if it's Not Found Online
If you do not know the exact year and certificate number, the New York City Municipal Archives will search for the record for a fee.

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the marriage record, you can search Search other records with marriage information.

OPTION TWO: Obtain the Marriage Certificate if it's Not Found Online
If you do not know the exact year and certificate number, the New York City Municipal Archives will search for the record for a fee.

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the marriage record, you can search Search other records with marriage information.

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information
An online index for Queens marriages from 1905 thru 1937 does exist. Marriages from earlier time periods are available on microfilm. If you do not find your ancestor's marriage or if you want order a copy of the certificate, contact the New York City Municipal Archives.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
PART A: You know the year and have a certificate number

With a year and a certificate number, you can either order a copy of the FamilySearch microfilm or order a copy of the death record from the New York City Municipal Archives for a fee

See list of restrictions for ordering marriage records

If you do not want to order the marriage record, you can search Other records with marriage information

PART B: You don't know the year or have a certificate number 

If you do not know the exact year and certificate number, the New York City Municipal Archives will search for the record for a fee.

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the marriage record, you can search Search other records with marriage information. Return to top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1888 thru 1937
An online index for all boroughs in New York City from 1898 thru 1937 does exist. Marriages from earlier time periods are available on microfilm. If you do not find your ancestor's marriage or if you want order a copy of the certificate, contact the New York City Municipal Archives.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
PART A: You know the year and have a certificate number

With a year and a certificate number, you can either order a copy of the FamilySearch microfilm or order a copy of the death record from the New York City Municipal Archives for a fee.

See list of restrictions for ordering marriage records

If you do not want to order the marriage record, you can search Other records with marriage information

PART B: You don't know the year or have a certificate number 

If you do not know the exact year and certificate number, the New York City Municipal Archives will search for the record for a fee.

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the marriage record, you can search Search other records with marriage information. Return to top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages before 1898 (Bronx)
The Secretary of the Province of New York issued approximately 20,000 marriage licenses before 1784.

In most cases during this time period, you will need to search substitute records to locate your ancestors' marriage date and place. Substitutes for marriage record information:

Return to top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1898 thru 1937 (Richmond and Staten Island and Bronx)
An online index for Richmond and Bronx marriages from 1898 thru 1937 does exist. Marriages from earlier time periods are available on microfilm. If you do not find your ancestor's marriage or if you want order a copy of the certificate, contact the New York City Municipal Archives.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
PART A: You know the year and have a certificate number

With a year and a certificate number, you can either order a copy of the FamilySearch microfilm or order a copy of the death record from the New York City Municipal Archives for a fee

See list of restrictions for ordering marriage records

If you do not want to order the marriage record, you can search Other records with marriage information

PART B: You don't know the year or have a certificate number 

If you do not know the exact year and certificate number, the New York City Municipal Archives will search for the record for a fee.

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the marriage record, you can search Search other records with marriage information. Return to top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1937 thru present
Marriage Certificates for this time period are held by the Office of the City Clerk and can be ordered for a fee. The order can be made online, or by mail by completing the request and mailing it.

A request may be made in person for a marriage record between 1930 and 1995 at the Record Room Division in the Manhattan Office. A request may be made in person for a marriage record from 1996 to present at any of the office locations.

See list of restrictions for ordering marriage records.

If you do not want to order the marriage record, you can search Other records with marriage information. Return to top: Choose another marriage year

Restrictions for Obtaining Marriage Records
To obtain a marriage certificate copy for a marriage that occurred within the past 50 years, you must be:


 * The person named on the marriage certificate
 * Persons who have a documented judicial or other proper purpose
 * Persons by order of a New York State Court

Restrictions are waived if both spouses are deceased. Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

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