Erie County, New York
County clerk guides for Erie County.
Erie County marriage license at a glance
The essentials for getting a marriage license in Erie County, taken from our verified county guide. Confirm details with the official office before you go.
| License fee | $40, the standard fee for licenses issued outside New York City. |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | 24 hours after issuance (New York statewide rule), waivable only with a judicial waiver. |
| License validity | 60 days, beginning the day after issuance (New York statewide rule). |
| Documents / ID required | Proof of age and valid photo identification for both applicants; parental consent if either applicant is under 18. |
| Where & how to apply | Apply in person, together, at the City, Town, or Village Clerk's office covering your specific address within Erie County — for example, the Buffalo City Clerk (Room 1301, Buffalo City Hall, 65 Niagara Square) for Buffalo residents. Both applicants must sign the application in front of the clerk. |
Full Erie County marriage license guide →
New York rules that apply in Erie County
These come from New York state law, so they are the same in every county:
- Minimum age to marry: 18. New York eliminated marriage under 18 for all minors in 2021 (no parental or judicial consent exception).
- Waiting period: 24 hours after the license is issued, waivable only by a judicial waiver from a judge.
- License validity: 60 days, beginning the day after issuance.
- Blood test required: No
How the fee compares
The standard fee we have verified for Erie County is $40. Across the 81 counties and cities ClerkGuide has researched so far, standard fees run from $20 to $172, with a median of $76 — so this one is higher than about 20% of them. See fees state by state →
Erie County vs. other New York counties
Fees are set locally, so they can differ noticeably even inside one state. Here is how the New York counties we cover line up, cheapest first:
| New York City | $35 standard |
|---|---|
| Erie County | $40 standard |
| Westchester County | $40 standard |
| Nassau County | $40 standard |
| Suffolk County | $40 standard |
More: all New York marriage license requirements · getting married in a different county.