Marriage records in Erie County, New York, can be accessed through several channels. ErieCourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for the county. You can also request records directly from the Erie County Clerk's Office, which issues marriage licenses and maintains filed certificates. Records are available in person at the Clerk's downtown Buffalo office, by mail, and — for certain document types — through online search tools. The New York State Department of Health also maintains statewide vital records, including marriage certificates, for events recorded across the state.
Erie County Marriage Records Search
The Erie County Clerk's Office is the local authority responsible for issuing marriage licenses and maintaining marriage records in Erie County. Under New York Domestic Relations Law, the town or city clerk where the marriage license was issued — or the County Clerk — retains the original record. In Erie County, marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk as well as by individual city and town clerks throughout the county.
The Clerk's office holds marriage license records filed in Erie County, including both current and historical records. You can search certain recorded documents through the Erie County Clerk's Online Public Record Search portal, though marriage records may have limited online availability due to New York State confidentiality rules. For broader searches, the New York State Department of Health maintains marriage records for marriages that occurred anywhere in the state (excluding New York City).
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Erie County
Fees for marriage record services in Erie County follow New York State statutory fee schedules. The table below reflects standard fees charged by the Erie County Clerk and the New York State Department of Health.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy (County Clerk) | $10.00 | Per New York Domestic Relations Law |
| Additional certified copy (same order) | $5.00 | When ordered at the same time |
| Search fee (County Clerk) | $5.00 | Covers a search of the index |
| Certified copy (NYS Dept. of Health) | $30.00 | Includes a 3-year search of records |
| Additional copy (NYS Dept. of Health, same order) | $15.00 | Each additional copy in the same request |
Processing times vary. In-person requests at the County Clerk's Office are typically handled the same day or within a few business days. Mail requests may take two to four weeks. Requests submitted to the New York State Department of Health can take several weeks or longer depending on volume.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Erie County
Online
The New York State Department of Health accepts online orders for certified marriage certificates through its Vital Records portal. This option covers marriages that occurred outside New York City. You will need to provide:
- Full names of both spouses
- Date of marriage
- Place of marriage
- Your relationship to the individuals named on the record
- A valid form of payment
The Erie County Clerk's Office does not currently offer direct online ordering for marriage certificates. However, you can use the Clerk's online search tool to verify document availability before visiting or mailing a request.
In Person
Walk-in requests are accepted at the Erie County Clerk's Office during regular business hours. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. If you are requesting a certified copy on behalf of someone else, you may need written authorization from one of the parties named on the record.
By Mail
To request a marriage certificate by mail, send the following to the Erie County Clerk's Office:
- A written request that includes:
- Full names of both spouses (including maiden names)
- Approximate date of marriage
- Purpose of the request
- Your relationship to the parties on the record
- Your daytime phone number and return address
- A copy of your government-issued photo ID
- A check or money order payable to "Erie County Clerk" for the applicable fee
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Mail requests to:
Keep in mind that under New York State law, marriage records are generally available to the public, but certain restrictions may apply depending on the age of the record and the type of information requested. If you need a record from a specific city or town clerk within Erie County — rather than the County Clerk — contact that municipality's clerk office directly, as they may hold the original license. For statewide searches or records from other counties, contact the New York State Department of Health Vital Records Section.