Orleans County Marriage License Lookup

Orleans County marriage license records are maintained by the town and village clerks who issue them in this western New York county. The county seat is Albion, and the Village of Albion Clerk handles many of the marriage license applications in the area. Several other clerks across the county also process marriage licenses, including those in Medina, Holley, and Lyndonville. If you need to search for or get a copy of a marriage license that was filed in Orleans County, you can contact the clerk who originally issued it or request one from the New York State Department of Health.

Orleans County Marriage License Clerks

Marriage licenses in Orleans County are issued by town and village clerks, not by the County Clerk. The Orleans County Clerk at 3 South Main Street in Albion handles land records, court filings, and other county documents. The County Clerk can be reached at (585) 589-4457. But for a marriage license, you go to a municipal clerk instead. Under DRL Section 13, all couples who plan to wed in New York must get a marriage license from a town or city clerk.

The fee is $40.00 across all Orleans County clerks. Both partners must appear in person together. Bring your birth certificate and a photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. No blood test is needed in New York. If you were married before, bring a certified divorce decree or death certificate for your former spouse. The clerk reviews everything and hands you the license on the spot. Then the 24-hour waiting period starts per DRL Section 13-b.

The screenshot below shows the Orleans County official website where you can find more information about county services and clerk contact details.

This page provides an overview of county services and links to local town clerk offices.

How to Get a Marriage License in Orleans County

Getting a marriage license in Orleans County is a simple process. Walk into any town or village clerk office with your partner. You do not have to live in Orleans County or plan to get married here. The license works anywhere in New York State. Most people in the county go to the Albion clerk because it is the county seat, but any of the municipal clerks can help you.

Both of you fill out the application together at the clerk's office. You need to provide your full names, dates of birth, addresses, and Social Security numbers. Each person shows proof of age and a photo ID. The application takes about 20 to 30 minutes. DRL Section 14 sets out what the clerk must include on the form. After the clerk processes everything, you get your license right away. Then you wait 24 hours before the ceremony. A judge can waive the wait if needed.

Your license stays valid for 60 days. If one of you is active military, that extends to 180 days. Any person authorized under Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law can perform the ceremony. That includes judges, mayors, ordained clergy, and one-day officiants. After the wedding, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the issuing clerk. The clerk files it with the state and mails you a Certificate of Marriage Registration.

Note: You do not need to get married in the same town where you got the license.

Copies of Orleans County Marriage License

A certified copy costs $10 from the town or village clerk who issued the license. The New York State Department of Health also provides copies for $30 each with 10 to 12 weeks processing time. For faster service, priority handling at an extra $15 takes about two weeks. You can also order through VitalChek for express delivery at a higher cost.

Only the bride or groom can request a certified copy of a recent marriage record. If the record is more than 50 years old and both spouses are deceased, anyone can request an uncertified genealogy copy. The NYS DOH genealogy section handles these requests at a base fee of $22 for a one-to-three year search range.

Town and Village Clerks in Orleans County

Orleans County has fourteen town and village clerks who can issue marriage licenses. The list includes the Town of Albion, Town of Barre, Town of Carlton, Town of Clarendon, Town of Gaines, Town of Kendall, Town of Murray, Town of Ridgeway, Town of Shelby, Town of Yates, Village of Albion, Village of Holley, Village of Lyndonville, and Village of Medina. All charge the same $40 fee set by state law.

Orleans County was split from Genesee County in 1824. Land records at the county level go back to 1810. The County Clerk holds marriage records from 1908 through 1935, but these are historical records and not the same as getting a current license. For anything current, you go through a town or village clerk. The Orleans County Records website has additional information about county services.

The screenshot below shows the Orleans County Records page with details on local government services.

Check this site for contact information for individual town and village clerks.

Orleans County Marriage Records History

Vital records in New York State started in 1881. The New York State Archives holds indexes to marriage records from 1881 onward for the entire state outside New York City. These indexes are on microfiche and can be viewed at the State Archives in Albany or at the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, which is one of the closer locations for Orleans County residents. The indexes show names, dates, places, and certificate numbers.

For Orleans County specifically, the County Clerk holds marriage records from 1908 to 1935. The Surrogate Court has probate records from 1825. For older records or records outside those date ranges, contact the town clerk where the license was purchased or the state Department of Health. Processing a genealogy request through the state can take eight months or longer. Going to the local clerk first is usually faster if you know which town issued the license.

Note: Marriage indexes are made available after 50 years per state policy.

Cities in Orleans County

Orleans County is a rural county with no major cities that meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. Marriage licenses issued by any Orleans County clerk are valid statewide.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Orleans County. Make sure you contact the right clerk for where your license was filed.