Access Genesee County Marriage License

Genesee County marriage license records are issued and maintained by the town clerks across this western New York county. Batavia is the county seat, and the Genesee County Clerk's office there handles court records, passports, and other filings. For marriage licenses, though, you go to the town or city clerk. The Town of Geneseo clerk and the Le Roy Town Clerk are just two of the options in the area. This page walks you through the full process for getting a marriage license, finding copies of older records, and understanding the rules that apply in Genesee County.

Genesee County Marriage License Offices

The Genesee County Clerk is at 7 Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020. Phone: (585) 344-2550. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but all transactions must start by 4:45 p.m. Michael T. Cianfrini serves as County Clerk. The county clerk provides birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, firearm permits, and passports. This office also serves as the County Clerk of Courts and an agent for the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles.

While the county clerk can provide copies of marriage certificates that have been filed, the actual issuance of new marriage licenses happens at the town level. Under DRL Section 13, couples must apply to a town or city clerk for their marriage license. The Town of Geneseo Clerk at 4630 Millennium Drive, Geneseo, NY 14454 is one such office. Phone: (585) 991-5000. Appointments are recommended, and after-hours appointments may be available on request. The Le Roy Town Clerk at 48 Main Street, Le Roy, NY 14482 is another option. Phone: (585) 768-6910.

Getting a Genesee County Marriage License

Both partners must show up in person together at a town clerk's office. All documents must be in English. If your paperwork is in another language, you need a certified translation first. You need proof of age, which can be a birth certificate with a raised seal, a baptismal record, a naturalization record, or a census record. You also need proof of identity, like a driver's license, passport, or employment picture ID.

The fee is $40. Cash, check, credit, and debit are accepted, though extra fees may apply for card payments. If you were married before, you must provide proof of how every prior marriage ended. That means divorce decrees or death certificates. No exceptions. Once the clerk processes your application and takes payment, the license is issued right away. But you cannot get married for 24 hours per DRL Section 13-b. After that wait, the license is valid for 60 days.

The $40 fee covers the license and a Certificate of Marriage Registration. Under DRL Section 14, the issuing clerk sends you that certificate within 15 days after the officiant returns the completed license. In New York State, no parental consent is needed for applicants 18 or older. Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law spells out who can perform a ceremony, from judges and village mayors to ordained clergy and marriage officers.

The screenshot below shows the Genesee County Clerk's website. Visit the Genesee County Clerk website for current contact info.

This page covers the county clerk's services, including marriage certificate copies and other vital records.

Genesee County Marriage License Copies

A certified copy of a marriage record from a Genesee County town clerk costs $10. The Town of Geneseo, for example, requires you to complete an application form and pay the $10 fee. In person, you need to show your ID. By mail, send a photocopy of your driver's license, a notarized letter requesting the certificate, and the $10 fee to the clerk who issued the license. Only the bride or groom can get a copy. The clerk will not give copies to children, parents, or friends of the married couple.

The New York State Department of Health also has copies for $30 each, with 10 to 12 weeks processing time. For name changes after marriage, you must notify Social Security. There is no charge for that service. If you need to change your name on other documents, your Certificate of Marriage Registration serves as proof of the name change.

Note: The Town of Geneseo clerk will not release marriage certificate copies to anyone other than the bride or groom due to personal information on the record.

Genesee County Marriage Records History

The New York State Archives holds marriage indexes from 1881 on microfiche. The Department of Health genealogy section provides uncertified copies of marriage records on file for 50 or more years when both spouses are dead. The base fee is $22 for a one to three year search. Processing can take eight months or longer. The New York State Library has more resources for Genesee County genealogy work.

Going to the town clerk who issued the license is faster than using the state. The local fee is $10 versus $30 at the state level, and you often get your copy the same day.

Cities in Genesee County

Genesee County includes the City of Batavia and several surrounding towns. No cities in this county meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. All local clerks issue marriage licenses valid statewide.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Genesee County. Contact the right clerk for where your license was filed.