Getting married is a momentous occasion, and obtaining your marriage certificate is a crucial step for legal recognition and various life events. If you’re looking to secure your marriage certificate efficiently, ordering it online is a convenient option. This guide provides you with everything you need to know about obtaining your marriage certificate online, particularly focusing on New York State procedures, excluding New York City boroughs (Manhattan, Kings (Brooklyn), Queens, Bronx, and Richmond (Staten Island)).
For marriages licensed outside of New York City since 1880, the New York State Vital Records office is your primary resource. However, it’s important to note that for licenses purchased within the five boroughs of New York City, you must contact the city clerk in the specific borough where the license was obtained. Additionally, for any marriage license purchased anywhere in New York State, you can also obtain copies directly from the town or city clerk where you originally applied for your license. This dual access point ensures that you can always find a suitable avenue to retrieve your official marriage record.
Amending Your Marriage Certificate for Gender Changes
Recognizing the evolving landscape of personal identity, New York State has established a clear process for amending marriage certificates to reflect changes in name and gender. Legislative Proposal #13-22, known as ‘Marriage Certificate Amendments,’ outlines the steps to update your marriage certificate to accurately represent a change in gender designation or name. According to the amended Domestic Relations Law, § 20-C, a revised marriage certificate must be issued when there is a properly documented change in either name or gender identity of either party in the marriage.
To initiate an amendment, you will need to provide proper legal documentation to the town or city clerk where you originally obtained your marriage license. Acceptable documentation includes:
- A legal judgment, court order, or decree affirming a change of name or gender designation for either spouse.
- An amended birth certificate that reflects a change in name or gender designation.
- For gender designation changes only, a notarized affidavit from the individual confirming their gender transition. Form DOH-1827 – Affidavit for Correction of Marriage can be utilized for this purpose.
It is crucial to submit the required documentation directly to the town or city clerk in the locality where you applied for your original marriage license. Once processed, the town or city clerk will issue a new Certificate of Marriage Registration reflecting the updated information.
Who Can Order a Marriage Certificate?
Eligibility to order a certified copy of a marriage record is generally restricted to protect personal privacy. The following individuals are typically eligible:
- Spouses named on the certificate.
- Individuals with a documented judicial or other proper purpose. This might include legal reasons or official processes requiring proof of marriage.
- Individuals with a New York State Court Order specifically granting access to the marriage record.
For those who are not a spouse named on the certificate, demonstrating a “judicial or other proper purpose” is necessary. A common example is needing a marriage certificate to claim benefits. In such cases, an official letter from the relevant agency stating that the marriage record is required to process the claim serves as sufficient documentation.
Required Identification for Application
To ensure the security and privacy of vital records, you must submit proper identification with your application. You can fulfill this requirement by providing copies of documents from either category A or category B:
A. One of the following valid photo IDs:
- Driver’s license
- State-issued non-driver photo ID card
- Passport
- U.S. Military-issued photo ID
OR
B. Two of the following documents showing your name and address:
- Utility or telephone bill
- Letter from a government agency dated within the last six months
Applicants applying from a foreign country that requires a passport for international travel must also include a copy of their U.S. passport in addition to the identification documents mentioned above.
Common Reasons for Application Denial
Understanding common reasons for denial can help ensure your application is processed smoothly. Frequent issues leading to rejection include:
- Applications submitted without proper identification. Always double-check that you have included acceptable ID copies.
- Failure to include a copy of a U.S. passport when applying from a foreign country that requires a passport for travel.
Fees for Obtaining a Marriage Certificate
Please be aware that there are processing fees associated with obtaining a marriage certificate.
| ORDER TYPE | FEES (per copy) |
|---|---|
| Online/Phone orders | $45 + vendor processing fee per transaction (not per copy). Check vendor website for current fee. |
| Mail orders | $30 |
For Mail Orders, send forms to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
Payment Options
The available payment methods vary depending on how you place your order:
- Online / Phone: MasterCard/Visa, Discover, American Express, ACH (Electronic Check)
- Mail: Personal Check, Postal Money Order, or Certified Check made payable to NYS Department of Health. Payments from foreign countries must be in the form of a check drawn on a United States bank or an international money order. Do not send cash.
Correcting or Amending Your Marriage Certificate
For information regarding corrections or amendments to your marriage certificate, including timelines, eligible submitters, required forms, supporting documentation, and FAQs, please refer to the official documentation from the New York State Department of Health.
Important Note: Requests for gender designation changes must be submitted to the town or city clerk where you originally applied for your marriage license. Upon completion, the clerk will issue a new Certificate of Marriage Registration.
For any further questions or comments, you can contact the Vital Records Call Center at (855) 322-1022.
