Marriage records in Ontario County, New York, are available through several channels. OntarioCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about the county's marriage records. Additionally, the original documents are maintained by the County Clerk's office, which issues certified copies in person, by mail, or through the county's online services. Below is a practical guide to searching, ordering, and obtaining marriage records in this county.
Ontario Marriage Records Search
In New York State, marriage licenses are issued by the Town or City Clerk of the jurisdiction where the couple applies, and the returned signed certificate is registered at both the municipal and state levels. Meanwhile, the Ontario County Clerk is responsible for maintaining the county's civil and court records, including documents related to marriage and divorce filed with local courts.
The collection includes:
- Marriage licenses issued by Town and City Clerks within Ontario County
- Returned marriage certificates submitted after the ceremony
- Historical records microfilmed and digitized by the Records & Archives department
For searching land record indexes and court cases, the county provides an online record search. If the marriage was registered after 1881, a copy of the certificate can also be requested from the New York State Department of Health.
Ontario County Clerk's Office
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Ontario
Fees for marriage record copies in New York are determined at the state and local levels. Below are the approximate rates for Ontario County — we recommend confirming the current amount directly with the Clerk's office before ordering.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of a marriage certificate | $10 |
| Additional certified copy (in the same order) | $5 |
| Record search fee | $5 |
| Uncertified / informational copy | $5 (minimum) |
These amounts align with the practice described on the Clerk's office Divorce Actions page, which states a minimum fee of $5 for a certified copy of a court document. Processing time for mail requests is typically 2–4 weeks; in-person requests are usually processed the same day.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Ontario
There are several ways to obtain a copy of a marriage certificate in Ontario County.
Online
The county offers online services through which you can view available County Clerk records. To order a certified copy of a marriage certificate at the state level, use the New York State Department of Health's portal (VitalChek) — the state's official partner for online vital records orders.
In Person
Visit the Ontario County Clerk's Office at:
Bring a valid photo ID. Payment is accepted on-site.
By Mail
Send your request to the same address. Include:
- A written request specifying the full names of the spouses and the approximate date of marriage. For court documents, the office requires a notarized request.
- A copy of the applicant's identification.
- A check or money order for the appropriate amount, made payable to "Ontario County Clerk."
- A self-addressed stamped envelope.
If you are searching for a marriage record but do not know the exact dates, start with the online index search — this will help narrow down the range before making an official request. For older records stored on microfilm, contact the Records & Archives department, which provides access to unlimited archival documents for research purposes.