Search Onondaga County Marriage License

Onondaga County marriage license records are managed by town and city clerks across the county, with Syracuse being the largest city in the area. The Onondaga County Clerk at the courthouse on Montgomery Street handles court records and older vital records but does not issue new marriage licenses. Couples looking to get a marriage license in Onondaga County need to visit a local town or city clerk. Whether you plan to apply through the Syracuse City Clerk, the Town of Camillus, or any other local office, the process follows New York State law and costs $40 at every location.

Onondaga County Clerk Office

County Clerk Emily E. Bersani runs the Onondaga County Clerk's office at Room 200 of the Onondaga County Courthouse, 401 Montgomery Street in Syracuse. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You must be in line by 3:45 p.m. to file documents. The phone number is (315) 435-2227, and you can email oncclerk@ongov.net. After-hours appointments are available every other Wednesday if you call ahead. The office closes on the first Tuesday of every month from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. for a staff meeting.

The County Clerk does not issue marriage licenses. Under DRL Section 13, that duty falls to town and city clerks. The County Clerk holds marriage records from 1908 to 1935 at the courthouse, along with City of Syracuse marriage records from 1908 to 1938. The office also maintains land records from 1792, civil actions from 1892, naturalization records from 1808, and census records from 1850 to 1925. If you are looking for an older marriage record rather than a new license, this is the office to call.

Getting a Marriage License in Onondaga County

To get a marriage license in Onondaga County, both partners go to any town or city clerk in the county. You do not have to live in the town where you apply. The Town of Camillus clerk, for example, issues licenses from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and charges the $40 fee set by state law. The Town of Skaneateles clerk takes marriage license applications Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., though couples must arrive by 3:00 p.m. In July and August, Skaneateles Town Hall closes at 1:00 p.m. on Fridays.

Bring your proof of age and a current photo ID. A birth certificate with a raised seal works, or you can use a passport. If you were married before, bring your certified divorce decree or a death certificate for a former spouse. No photocopies are accepted for these documents. No blood test is needed. The clerk fills out your marriage license on the spot per DRL Section 14. Then the 24-hour waiting period starts under DRL Section 13-b. A judge can waive that wait if you have a good reason. The license stays valid for 60 days anywhere in New York State.

After your ceremony, the officiant signs the license and sends it to the clerk who issued it. Under Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law, a wide range of people can perform weddings. Judges, mayors, ordained clergy, and appointed marriage officers all qualify. The clerk files the signed license with the state and mails you a Certificate of Marriage Registration. That process takes two to four weeks. If one partner is active military, the license extends to 180 days with proof of service.

Note: The Town of Onondaga charges the same $40 fee and offers certified copies of marriages originally filed there for $10.

Onondaga County Marriage License Copies

Certified copies of marriage certificates from the town clerk who issued the license cost about $10. The Camillus clerk, for instance, provides certified copies for $10 if the original license came from that office. If you go through the New York State Department of Health, the fee is $30 per copy. Regular processing takes 10 to 12 weeks. Priority handling adds $15. Rush orders through VitalChek ship faster but cost more.

The Onondaga County Bureau of Vital Statistics is another resource. It sits at the Onondaga County Courthouse, 401 Montgomery Street, and handles records dating back to 1873. The phone number is (315) 435-3241. Hours run Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Marriage records from 1873 to 1907 are held by the Bureau. From 1908 on, marriage licenses were purchased at town and city clerk offices. The collection is in closed stacks, so searches may take several weeks to complete.

You can search Onondaga County records online through the IQS records portal. The NY.gov marriage guide explains the statewide process in plain terms and links to helpful forms and resources.

Marriage License History in Onondaga County

Onondaga County has deep roots in vital record keeping. The Bureau of Vital Statistics holds marriage records from 1873 to 1907. The County Clerk has marriage records from 1908 to 1935 and Syracuse marriage records from 1908 to 1938. The Surrogate's Court at the same courthouse address handles estates, wills, and guardianships dating back to 1790. The phone number for the Surrogate's Court is (315) 671-2100, open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For genealogy research, the Onondaga County Archives in the basement of the courthouse, the Central Library of Syracuse and Onondaga County, and the Onondaga Historical Association Research Center all have useful materials. The Catholic Diocese of Syracuse Archives at 240 East Onondaga Street, phone (315) 470-1493, holds church records that may include marriage data. The New York State Archives holds statewide indexes from 1881 on microfiche. The NYS Department of Health genealogy section offers uncertified copies of marriage records on file for 50 or more years when both spouses are deceased, with a base search fee of $22.

Note: Birth records at the Bureau must be on file 75 years before a genealogy search is allowed, and death records must be on file 50 years.

Onondaga County Marriage License Resources

The NY.gov website has a helpful overview of how to get married in New York State, covering license requirements, fees, and waiting periods. Visit the NY.gov marriage guide for the full breakdown.

This state page covers the rules that apply to Onondaga County and every other county in New York, including the $40 fee, the 24-hour waiting period, and the list of who can perform ceremonies.

Cities in Onondaga County

Onondaga County is home to Syracuse, the largest city in central New York. All marriage license applications in the county go through local town or city clerks.

Other communities like Camillus, Skaneateles, DeWitt, and Cicero also have clerks who issue marriage licenses. Contact the local office for current hours.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Onondaga County. Each has its own clerk offices for marriage license filings.