Search Tonawanda Marriage License

Tonawanda marriage license applications go through the Town of Tonawanda Clerk's office on Delaware Avenue. The town sits in Erie County just north of Buffalo and is one of the more populated towns in western New York. Couples can walk into the clerk's office together to apply for a marriage license without an appointment. You don't have to live in Tonawanda or Erie County to get your license here. The Kenmore Village Clerk does not issue marriage licenses, so all applications in the area go through the Town of Tonawanda Clerk instead.

Tonawanda Marriage License Filing

Marriage licenses in Tonawanda are filed through Erie County. The Town of Tonawanda Clerk is the local office that issues these licenses. Erie County has several town and city clerks who handle marriage licenses, including clerks in Buffalo, Amherst, Cheektowaga, and Hamburg. The Erie County Clerk's office handles land records and court filings but does not issue marriage licenses. That task belongs to the town and city clerks.

Under DRL Section 13, any couple can apply for a marriage license at any town or city clerk in New York State. You don't need to live in Tonawanda to get your license here. The license is good for a ceremony anywhere in the state. It's worth noting that the Kenmore Village Clerk, located at the same address, does not handle marriage licenses. Those applications go through the Town of Tonawanda Clerk at (716) 877-8800.

How to Get a Marriage License in Tonawanda

Both partners must appear together at the Tonawanda Town Clerk's office. The office is at 2919 Delaware Avenue, Kenmore, NY 14217. You need to bring valid photo ID. A driver's license, state-issued ID, or passport all work. You also need a certified birth certificate that lists your parents' names. Have your Social Security number ready too.

If you were married before, bring your final divorce decree or a death certificate for your former spouse. Every prior marriage has to be fully ended before you can apply for a new license. The fee for a Tonawanda marriage license is $40. Once the clerk processes your paperwork, you receive the license that same day. But you can't use it right away. A 24-hour waiting period applies per DRL Section 13-b, which means you cannot hold your ceremony on the day you pick up the license. After that waiting period, your marriage license stays valid for 60 days. Active military personnel get 180 days instead. The license works for any ceremony held in New York State.

The image below shows the New York State marriage guide with statewide requirements that apply to Tonawanda and all other locations.

This state guide covers the general steps for getting a marriage license in New York, including the documents you need and the waiting period.

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

After Your Tonawanda Wedding

After the wedding, the officiant must return the signed marriage license to the Tonawanda Town Clerk within five days. 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 gives it to the couple, who then hand it to the officiant for the wedding day.

Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law lists the people who can perform your ceremony. Judges, mayors, ordained clergy, and one-day marriage officers all qualify. Any person aged 18 or older can apply for a one-day marriage officiant license through the town clerk. This costs $25. Once the officiant sends the signed license back to the clerk's office, it gets filed with the state. A Certificate of Marriage Registration should arrive in the mail within about 20 days. That certificate serves as your proof that the marriage is on file with New York State.

Copies of Tonawanda Marriage License

Certified copies of a Tonawanda marriage license can be obtained from the town clerk who issued it. The fee is $10 per copy. You can request one in person with a photo ID or by mail. For mail requests, send a written letter with the names of both spouses, the date of the marriage, and a check or money order for $10 made out to the Tonawanda Town Clerk. Mail it to 2919 Delaware Avenue, Kenmore, NY 14217.

The New York State Department of Health provides certified copies for $30 each. Regular processing takes 10 to 12 weeks. For faster service, VitalChek offers rush orders at a higher cost. The Erie County Clerk holds marriage records from 1908 to 1935 in the Record Room. For records from before 1935, call (716) 858-8785 and select option 4 for the Record Room. The NYS Department of Health genealogy section handles older records when both spouses are deceased.

Tonawanda Town Clerk Contact

The Tonawanda Town Clerk handles a range of local services beyond marriage licenses. The office processes birth and death certificates, dog licenses, and other vital records. Call ahead to check current hours or confirm what documents to bring. The clerk's office also provides notary services and handles Freedom of Information requests for town records.

Keep in mind that the Town of Tonawanda and the City of Tonawanda are two different places. The town clerk at 2919 Delaware Avenue serves the town, which includes the Village of Kenmore. If you need services from the City of Tonawanda, that is a separate office with its own clerk.

Nearby Cities

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