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Marriage Licenses

In order to be married in the State of New York, a Marriage License is required and must be applied for at least 24 hours prior the wedding. This must be done no more than 60 days in advance. The marriage license must be used within the State of New York.

Marriage licenses are issued by appointment only. Please contact the City Clerk's office at (716) 366-0452 to schedule an appointment.

Prior to a marriage license appointment being scheduled at the City Clerk’s office at City Hall in Dunkirk, the following information shall be emailed to marriagedocs@cityofdunkirk.com.  The easiest way to accomplish this task, is by taking photos of your documents on your cell phone and share it to marriagedocs@cityofdunkirk.com.  Documents may also be faxed to (716) 363-0058, ***include your phone number in the email or fax.

Dunkirk City Clerk Office Requirements:

  • Fee of $40 (cash, check, money order)
  • Both parties must be at least 18 years of age (must be present)
    • If one or both parties are age 16 or 17, the custodial parent(s) or guardian(s) must appear before the Clerk to sign a consent form. The parent(s)/guardian(s) must present a court order stating that they are soley responsible for the minor, if that is the case.
    • If one or both of the applicants is age 14 or 15, the parties must present written consent and approval of a justice of the supreme or family court. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) consenting to the marriage of the minor must appear before the clerk. If the affidavit of consent is being made outside the State of New York, it must be notarized and accompanied by a certificate of authentication.
  • Two forms of identification must be submitted, as listed below:
    • Birth Certificates of each individual are required.
      • Both individuals must email or fax, photos of a State Certified Birth Certificate from the state or country in which they were born.  Non-English Birth Certificates must be translated into English by a certified translator, prior to submitting.  A raised seal must be present on the birth record, and it must be an original record, not a copy.
    • Other Additional Eligible Identification Forms:
    • In addition to your birth record, the following preferred types of ID may be submitted:
      • a certification of birth issued by the state department of health, a local registrar of vital statistics or other public officer charged with similar duties by the laws of any other state, territory or country which must be translated into English, if not already in English,
      • an automobile driver's license, 
      • any government or school issued identification card that contains a photograph of the applicant,
    • Additionally, the following types of ID may be also submitted, but is not preferred:
      • a baptismal record,
      • a passport,
      • a life insurance policy,
      • an employment certificate,
      • a school record,
      • an immigration record,
      • a naturalization record,
      • a court record or any other document or record issued by a governmental entity, showing the date of birth.
  • For applicants that have been previously married and divorced:
    • A certified copy of your divorce decree, with visible colored stamps and name of the Judge and both divorcees must be submitted.

    • You must include your phone number within the body of the email or fax, so our marriage clerk can reach out to you to schedule your licensing appointment.
  • All required paperwork must be in English.
License issued between 9:00am – 4:00pm


Click here for Marriage Certificate Requirements

Click here for Marriage License in NYS

Click here for Additional Marriage License FAQ's