New York Marriage Certificate Apostille
Complete 2026 guide to obtaining and apostilling a New York marriage certificate. Learn how to order an Extended Copy (Long Form), authenticate it with the County Clerk (Critical Step), and submit it to the NY Department of State.
What is an Extended Marriage Certificate?
For an apostille, you cannot use a standard "short form" certificate or a commemorative copy. You must use an Extended Copy (also known as a Long Form or Vault Copy) which contains detailed information including the parents' names, ages, and birthplaces.
✅ Extended Copy (Long Form)
Required for Apostille and international use.
- • Includes parents' names & birthplaces
- • Signed by City/Town Clerk
- • Must be authenticated by County Clerk
ℹ️ Short Form / Commemorative
For personal use only. NOT valid for Apostille.
- • Lacks detailed parent info
- • Often wallet-sized
- • Will be rejected by the State
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
To obtain a certified copy of a marriage record in New York, you generally must be:
- • One of the spouses listed on the record
- • A person with a documented judicial or other proper purpose
- • An attorney representing the spouses
New York marriage records are generally private for 50 years.
Where to Order
Where you order depends on where the marriage license was issued.
A) NYC Marriage (5 Boroughs)
If you were married in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, or Staten Island.
Order from: NYC City Clerk
B) Outside NYC (Rest of State)
If you were married in any other city or town (e.g., Albany, Buffalo, Yonkers).
Order from: The City or Town Clerk where you bought the license.
Requirements for Apostille
Before sending your document to the State, it must meet these strict criteria:
New York has a decentralized system. The State does not keep signatures of all local clerks on file.
- Local Step: The City/Town Clerk signs the Marriage Certificate.
- County Step: The County Clerk of that specific county must authenticate the City/Town Clerk's signature.
- State Step: The NY Department of State authenticates the County Clerk's signature.
If you skip the County Clerk, your document will be REJECTED.
Fees & Processing Times
| Service | Fee (Approx) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| County Clerk Auth | ~$3.00 - $5.00 | Varies (Same Day In-Person) |
| State Apostille (Mail) | $10.00 | 4-6 Weeks |
| State Apostille (Walk-in) | $10.00 | Same Day / Next Day |
How to Apostille Your Marriage Certificate
Follow these steps exactly to ensure your document is accepted.
Order a certified "Extended" copy from the City or Town Clerk where you were married. Ensure it has the raised seal.
Take the document to the County Clerk of the county where the city/town is located. They will attach an authentication page verifying the local clerk's signature.
Note: For NYC Marriage Certificates, go to the New York County Clerk at 60 Centre St, Manhattan.
Send the document (with County Clerk page attached) to the NY Department of State in Albany.
Mail to:
New York Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
Apostille and Authentication Unit
P.O. Box 22001
Albany, NY 12201-2001
Include the Apostille Request Form and a check for $10.00.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apostille my original marriage license?
No. You must use a certified copy issued by the Clerk. The original license you signed on your wedding day is usually not the certified copy required for apostille.
Do I really need the County Clerk step?
Yes. Unless your document was signed by the State Director of Vital Statistics in Albany (which is rare for marriage certs), you MUST get the County Clerk authentication. Without it, the State will reject your document.
How do I pay the fee?
Payment to the NY Department of State must be by check or money order payable to "N.Y.S. Department of State". Cash is only accepted for in-person walk-ins.
"The most common mistake for NY marriage apostilles is skipping the County Clerk. Remember: City Clerk -> County Clerk -> State. It's a 3-step chain."