Has anyone been recently? What time do you need to get there to get on the first ferry? I'm planning on buying our tickets ahead...

You need to be there 45 min. b/f the first ferry. Check their website for the schedule. For a while, they had changed the first ferry from 8:30 to 9 or 9:30 but it may be back to 8:30 by now.

Btw if you want to stop by Liberty Island and tour the Statue's base ... go to the Nat Park service web site and reserve a visitors pass
They are limited (but free)or you won't even be able to tour the stone base... Inside of statue is closed.

Be ready for a full search prior to getting on the ferry... like full airport style even taking off belts

yes, I had checked and first ferry is at 9:30. We are only going to Ellis- not SOL. I take it we just show up and get in the security line? Is it the same line for boarding the ferry?

Circle Cruise line runs ferries every 30 min. You get your ticket ($11 adult round trip) and go get in line (well marked). You do go thru (airport type) security with bag checks etc then board the ferry. The ferry goes first to SOL then Ellis Island. We just went and did not get off at SOL. Ellis Island is amazing. There is a nice (free) 40 min film and lots of museum to see. Plan on at least 2-3 hrs, especially if you want to try to look someone up. For $5 you can get a pin number and access code to the records of all passenger manifests from ships docking in NYC from 1892-1924. Lots of fun to search for a relative, etc. You will need the name of as recorded on ship's manifest, not necessarily same name as recorded at immigration.
Great place.