Find Buffalo Marriage License Records

Buffalo marriage license applications are handled by the Buffalo City Clerk at City Hall in downtown Buffalo. The clerk's office sits on the first floor at 65 Niagara Square, Room 1308, and processes marriage license requests on weekdays. Buffalo is the largest city in Erie County, and couples from across western New York often come here to apply. Whether you live in the city or just plan to hold your wedding nearby, you can walk into the Buffalo City Clerk's office with your partner and leave with a marriage license the same day. The office also keeps records of past marriages on file for anyone who needs a certified copy.

Buffalo Marriage License Filing

Marriage licenses in Buffalo are filed through Erie County. The Buffalo City Clerk is the primary issuing office, but other town clerks in Erie County can also issue marriage licenses. You do not have to live in Buffalo or Erie County to apply here. Under DRL Section 13, any couple can get a marriage license from any town or city clerk in New York State, no matter where they plan to hold the ceremony.

The Buffalo City Clerk serves as the keeper of city records. That includes birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and other vital records. The office also issues dog licenses, burial permits, and handles notary services. For marriage license matters, the clerk's staff can help with new applications and requests for copies of past records.

How to Get a Marriage License in Buffalo

Both partners must show up together at the Buffalo City Clerk's office. The office is at City Hall, 65 Niagara Square, Room 1308. Marriage license application hours run Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The general office hours extend until 4:00 p.m. You need to bring a valid driver's license with a photo or a state-issued photo ID such as a passport. A certified birth certificate that lists your parents' names is also required. Have your Social Security number ready as well.

If you were married before, bring your final divorce decree or a death certificate for your former spouse. All prior marriages need to be fully ended before you can apply for a new license. The fee is $40. Once the clerk processes your application, you get the license that same day. A 24-hour waiting period then starts per DRL Section 13-b. You cannot get married on the same day you pick up the license. Your Buffalo marriage license stays valid for 60 days and works anywhere in New York State. Active military personnel get 180 days instead.

The screenshot below shows the Buffalo City Clerk's marriage license page with details on fees and requirements.

This page lists what you need to bring and the current fee for a marriage license in Buffalo.

Note: No blood test or medical exam is needed to get a marriage license in New York State.

Buffalo Marriage License After the Ceremony

After your wedding, the officiant must return the signed marriage license to the Buffalo City Clerk's office within five days. This applies whether the ceremony was in Buffalo or anywhere else in the state. The officiant, both spouses, and at least one witness all sign the license at the end of the ceremony. Per DRL Section 14, the clerk fills out the license form and hands it to the couple, who then give it to their officiant for the wedding day.

Under Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law, many types of people can perform your ceremony. Judges, mayors, ordained clergy, and appointed one-day marriage officers all qualify. Once the officiant sends the signed license back, the clerk files it with the state. You should get a Certificate of Marriage Registration in the mail within about 20 days. That certificate is your proof that the marriage is on file.

Buffalo Marriage License Copies

You can get a certified copy of your Buffalo marriage license from the city clerk who issued it. The fee is $10 per copy. Bring a photo ID and pay in person, or mail a request with a notarized letter that includes the names of both spouses and the date of the marriage. Include a check or money order for $10 payable to the Buffalo City Clerk. Mail it to 65 Niagara Square, Room 1308, Buffalo, NY 14202.

The New York State Department of Health also provides certified copies for $30 each, though processing takes 10 to 12 weeks. Priority handling adds $15. For faster service, VitalChek offers rush orders at a higher cost. The NYS Department of Health genealogy section handles requests for records over 50 years old when both spouses are deceased.

The Erie County Clerk's office handles deeds, court records, and other county filings. It does not issue marriage licenses. That job falls to the city and town clerks in the county.

Note: Only the bride or groom can request a certified copy unless the record is over 50 years old and both spouses have passed away.

Buffalo City Clerk Contact

The city clerk is Tianna M. Marks. You can reach her at tmarks@city-buffalo.org. For vital statistics questions, contact Deputy Clerk Milly Castro at mcastro@city-buffalo.com. The office handles a wide range of city records and services beyond just marriage licenses, including birth and death certificates, dog licenses, and notary services.

Nearby Cities

These cities and towns near Buffalo also issue marriage licenses through their local clerks.