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Marriage licenses

Couples wishing to obtain a marriage license can do so in person at the City Clerk's Office between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Civil marriage ceremonies can be scheduled after the couple has obtained a marriage license by calling 585-428-7421, Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

Information and requirements

  • Blood tests are no longer required. 
  • To obtain a marriage license, you must bring a certified birth certificate with a raised seal and a current government-issued photo identification.  If your birth certificate is in another language other than English or Spanish, a certified translation is required.
  • If you are divorced, you must provide a copy of your most recent divorce decree.  If you have been divorced more than once, you must provide the date(s) of the earlier divorce(s). If your divorce decree is in another language other than English or Spanish, a certified translation is required.
  • If a marriage ends due to death, a "certified death certificate" is required.
  • Once issued, the marriage license cannot be used for 24 hours and must be used within sixty days.
  • Witnesses must be at least 18 years of age.

Research existing marriage licenses purchased at City Hall since 1910

Age requirements

  • Marriages of minors under eighteen years of age are prohibited. If either applicant is under 18 years of age, a marriage license cannot be issued. 

Fees

There is a $40 fee for a marriage license; a duplicate copy of the license can be provided to authorized persons for a $10 fee, if the original was issued by the City of Rochester. If the exact marriage date is not known, a search can be undertaken for an additional fee, and will require one to five days to be completed. 

As of July 1, 2018, there is a $75 fee for a civil marriage ceremony. 

Getting married at City Hall

Learn more about getting married at City Hall

Historic marriage records

Copies of original Marriage Licenses from the years 1908-1960 can be obtained from microfilm records. To obtain a copy, you will need both spouses' names, and the volume and license number displayed on the screen. You may then order a copy of the microfilm record of the marriage license for $10.00, or you can call and make an appointment at the Rochester City Archives (585-428-7331) to research the microfilm yourself at no charge.

The Rochester Municipal Archive is located at 414 Andrews Street, Rochester, New York 14604. If you mail a request, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. We do not accept walk-in appointments due to space limitations. Please be advised you must know the volume and license number from our computer index to conduct a search at the Rochester Municipal Archives. This data is not compatible with any other index system you may have researched elsewhere.

If you need a marriage license copy for legal purposes, you must contact the Rochester City Clerk, License Bureau, City Hall 30 Church St., Rochester NY 14604 (585-428-7421). An official copy is $10.00. If you send a request by mail, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope, along with a check payable to the City of Rochester/Municipal Archives.

Additional local genealogical research websites