To get a Rochester marriage license, both applicants must appear together at the City Clerk’s office at 30 Church Street, Room 100A, bring proof of age and photo ID, provide Social Security numbers, pay the $40 fee, and then wait 24 hours before the ceremony can take place.1City of Rochester. Marriage Licenses The license is issued the same day you apply, and once issued it is good for 60 days anywhere in New York State.2New York State. Information on Getting Married in New York State
What to Bring to the Clerk’s Office
Each applicant needs two things on paper: proof of age and proof of identity. For age, bring a certified birth certificate with a raised seal from the issuing government agency. For identity, bring a current government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport.1City of Rochester. Marriage Licenses New York law accepts other age documents, including baptismal, immigration, and naturalization records, but the birth certificate is the usual choice.3New York State Senate. New York Domestic Relations Law 15 – Duty of Town and City Clerks
You will also need your Social Security number. The sworn application asks for your occupation, birthplace, and your parents’ full names and birthplaces, so gather that information before you arrive. The City of Rochester publishes a marriage license worksheet you can fill out in advance.1City of Rochester. Marriage Licenses
If either of you was married before, bring proof that every prior marriage ended. A certified divorce decree covers a divorce; a certified death certificate covers a deceased former spouse. The clerk needs documentation for all prior marriages, not just the most recent one.1City of Rochester. Marriage Licenses
Any document that is not in English or Spanish needs a certified translation with a translator’s affidavit signed before a notary. Without that affidavit, the clerk cannot accept the document.
Where and When to Apply
Both applicants must appear together at the City Clerk’s office in Rochester City Hall, 30 Church Street, Room 100A. Walk-ins for marriage licenses are accepted Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.4City of Rochester. Marriage Ceremonies at City Hall You cannot send a representative or apply by mail. The joint appearance lets the clerk verify both identities and watch you sign the application under oath.2New York State. Information on Getting Married in New York State
The fee is $40, and the license is issued on the spot once the paperwork is processed.1City of Rochester. Marriage Licenses Both applicants must be at least 18. New York prohibits marriage for anyone under 18, with no exceptions for parental consent or a judge’s approval.5New York State Senate. New York Domestic Relations Law 15-A – Marriages of Minors Under Eighteen Years of Age No blood test or medical exam is required.2New York State. Information on Getting Married in New York State
The 24-Hour Wait and the 60-Day Window
New York law requires a 24-hour wait between the moment the license is issued and the ceremony. If you need to marry sooner, a Supreme Court justice, a county judge, or a family court judge in the county where either of you lives can issue a waiver order in limited circumstances, such as a life-threatening medical situation or serious hardship from the delay.6New York State Senate. New York Domestic Relations Law 13-B – Time Within Which Marriage May Be Solemnized
At the other end, the license expires 60 calendar days after issuance. The countdown begins the day after the license is issued, not on the issue date itself.2New York State. Information on Getting Married in New York State If the ceremony doesn’t happen in that window, the license becomes void and you must reapply and pay the fee again.
Your Rochester-issued license is good for a ceremony anywhere in New York State, not just inside the city or Monroe County. A license issued by any other town or city clerk in the state is likewise valid for a ceremony held in Rochester.7NYC Office of the City Clerk. Marriage Frequently Asked Questions The license has to be in the hands of the person performing the ceremony before it begins.8New York State Senate. New York Domestic Relations Law 13
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
New York authorizes a broad range of people to solemnize a marriage, including ordained clergy, state and federal judges, the governor, mayors, county executives, state legislators (who may not charge a fee), and the Rochester City Clerk.9New York State Senate. New York Domestic Relations Law 11 – By Whom a Marriage May Be Solemnized
Many couples choose a friend or relative through the one-day officiant option. That person must be at least 18, apply through the same clerk’s office that issued your license, and pay a $25 fee. The authorization covers your single ceremony and must be obtained before the ceremony, not after.10Town of Henrietta. Marriages
Civil Ceremonies at City Hall
If you want the City Clerk to perform the ceremony, Rochester offers civil weddings at City Hall for a $75 fee, separate from the $40 license fee. Ceremonies are by appointment only, scheduled by calling 585-428-7421 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. You can only book after you already have the license in hand.4City of Rochester. Marriage Ceremonies at City Hall Any witnesses must be at least 18. The clerk handles the paperwork filing afterward.
Changing Your Name on the License
You can change your surname or middle name directly on the marriage license application, and you record that choice at the time you apply. Options for a new surname include:
- Your spouse’s current surname
- A former surname of either spouse
- A new surname that combines portions of both spouses’ surnames
- Both surnames hyphenated together
You can also change your middle name to your current surname, a former surname, or your spouse’s surname. First names cannot be changed through the marriage license process. Once the license is issued, the name selections on it cannot be amended, so decide before you walk in. Your marriage certificate then serves as legal proof of the change.
After the Ceremony: Filing and Certified Copies
Whoever performs your ceremony is responsible for returning the signed license to the issuing clerk’s office. That return is what creates your official marriage record. If a friend acted as your one-day officiant, make sure every required signature is on the license and that it goes back promptly. For City Hall ceremonies, the clerk files it for you.
Once the marriage is recorded, you can order certified copies of the marriage certificate. Rochester-issued licenses are recorded with the New York State Department of Health in Albany:
- By mail: $30 per copy using Form DOH-4382, sent with payment to the Vital Records Certification Unit in Albany.
- Online: $45 per copy plus a vendor processing fee.
You can also request copies directly from the Rochester City Clerk’s office where you applied. Order at least two or three. You will need them for name changes with Social Security, your employer, your bank, and your insurance company, and replacing one later costs the same as ordering it now.