Marriage Records

Historic Church

Official Genesee County Marriage Records

The Genesee County History Department maintains official marriage records filed with the County from 1908 through 1935. These records may be useful for genealogy and family history research.

Record Series Information

  • Record series: Official Marriage Records filed with the County
  • New York State retention schedule number: 6.[185]
  • Retention: Permanent
  • Sample record: View a sample marriage certificate (PDF)(PDF, 10MB)
  • Dates: 1908-1935
  • Geographic location: Genesee County
  • Format: Typed forms with handwritten data
  • Arrangement: Numerical by certificate number. Certificate numbers in these records were assigned by Genesee County and do not match New York State Department of Health numbers.
  • Volume: 5 hardcover volumes and 6 cubic feet
  • Department: County Clerk

Use Restrictions

If a certificate is filed among the records stored in the six cubic-foot boxes, a copy may be made from the original document. If the certificate is filed in a bound volume, History Department staff will recreate the certificate by reproducing the form and entering the information contained in the record.

Legal Restrictions

Except for the name of the groom, name of the bride, license date and place of issue, these records are confidential.

To request an official copy of a marriage license, contact the clerk of the village, town or city that issued the license or the New York State Department of Health.

Historical Background

From 1908 to 1926, county clerks were required to maintain indexes or registers of marriages. The requirement was abolished in 1926, although some county clerks continued maintaining summary records into the 1930s.

These records document official marriages in Genesee County during the first decades of the 20th century, including the periods of World War I, the Great Depression and increased immigration.

Description of the Records

The marriage certificates may include:

  • Names of the groom and bride
  • Race
  • Place of residence, including state, county and town
  • Age
  • Occupation
  • Place of birth
  • Signatures of the bride and groom
  • Place of registry
  • Father's name
  • Mother's maiden name
  • County Clerk's signature
  • Name of the person performing the ceremony
  • Town and county where the marriage occurred
  • Date of marriage
  • Names of witnesses
  • Consent forms for minor grooms and brides, defined in these records as under age 21 for grooms and under age 18 for brides
  • Former spouse information when the marriage was not the first
  • Whether a former spouse was living or deceased
  • Location where a divorce was granted, when applicable

Purpose of the Records

These records can be especially helpful when no other marriage record survives and may provide useful genealogical information for family history research.

Marriage Certificate Index and Copies

An index of Genesee County Marriage Certificates (PDF)(PDF, 940KB) is available.

A copy of a document is $5.00. Checks should be made payable to the Genesee County Treasurer.

The Genesee County History Department thanks department volunteers Ruth Newton and Sharon Larson for creating the index.

Related Marriage Records

The Genesee County History Department also maintains a collection of marriage, engagement and divorce announcements from local newspapers.

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