Find Utica Marriage License

Utica marriage license applications are handled at the City Clerk's office at 1 Kennedy Plaza. Utica is the largest city in Oneida County and sits in the Mohawk Valley region of central New York. The Utica City Clerk is unique among New York clerks because it holds some vital records that are not available through the New York State Department of Health. Couples can visit the clerk's office to apply for a marriage license in person. You don't need to live in Utica to get your license here, and the process can typically be completed the same day you walk in.

Utica Marriage License Filing

Marriage licenses in Utica are filed through Oneida County. The Utica City Clerk is the primary issuing office in the city, but other town clerks throughout Oneida County can also issue marriage licenses. The Oneida County Clerk at 800 Park Avenue in Utica handles land records, court filings, and naturalization records but does not issue marriage licenses. That task falls to the city and town clerks.

Under DRL Section 13, any couple can get a marriage license from any town or city clerk in New York State. You don't need to be a resident of Utica or Oneida County. The license is valid for a ceremony anywhere in the state. Oneida County has dozens of town clerks across its municipalities, and many of them maintain marriage records going back to the 1880s.

How to Get a Marriage License in Utica

Both partners must show up together at the Utica City Clerk's office. The office is at 1 Kennedy Plaza, Utica, NY 13502. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. You also need a certified birth certificate that shows your parents' names. Have your Social Security number ready as well.

If either person was married before, bring proof that the prior marriage ended. That means a final divorce decree or death certificate for the former spouse. Every prior marriage must be fully dissolved before you can apply. The fee is $40 for a Utica marriage license. Once the clerk processes your application, you get the license that same day. A 24-hour waiting period then applies per DRL Section 13-b. You cannot get married on the day you pick up the license. The license stays valid for 60 days after the waiting period and works anywhere in New York State. Active military members get 180 days instead of the standard 60.

The screenshot below shows the Utica City Clerk website with information about city services and office details.

The city website lists departments and services including the clerk's office where marriage licenses are issued.

Note: No blood test or medical exam is needed to get a marriage license in New York State.

After the Utica Wedding Ceremony

After your wedding, the officiant must return the signed marriage license to the Utica City Clerk within five days. This applies whether the ceremony was in Utica or at any other location in the state. The officiant, both spouses, and at least one witness sign the license at the ceremony. Per DRL Section 14, the clerk fills out the license form and gives it to the couple, who hand it to their officiant for the wedding day.

Under Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law, many people can perform your ceremony in New York. Judges, mayors, ordained clergy, and appointed one-day marriage officers all qualify. Any person who is 18 or older can apply for a one-day marriage officiant license through the city clerk. The fee is $25. Once the officiant sends the signed license back, the clerk files it with the state. You should receive a Certificate of Marriage Registration in the mail within about 20 days. That certificate is your proof the marriage is on record.

Utica Marriage License Copies

The Utica City Clerk can provide certified copies of marriage licenses issued through that office. The fee is $10 per copy. Bring a photo ID to request one in person. You can also send a written request by mail with a check or money order for $10 made payable to the Utica City Clerk. Include the names of both spouses and the date of the marriage. Mail to 1 Kennedy Plaza, Utica, NY 13502.

What makes Utica different from most cities is that the City Clerk holds some vital records not available through the New York State Department of Health. Unlike most city clerks in the state, Utica keeps unique vital records on file. This can be helpful if you need older records that the state does not have. The New York State Department of Health provides certified copies for $30 each with regular processing of 10 to 12 weeks. For faster results, VitalChek handles rush orders at a higher price.

The Oneida County Clerk's office at 800 Park Avenue maintains land records, court filings, and other county documents. The NYS Department of Health genealogy section can provide copies of marriage records over 50 years old when both spouses are deceased. The Utica Public Library at 303 Genesee Street also has microfiche indexes to vital records maintained by the New York State Archives, which can help with genealogy research.

Utica Marriage License Research

For historical marriage records in the Utica area, the Oneida County History Center at 1608 Genesee Street is a useful resource. The center charges $25 for research requests and maintains collections of county records. You can reach them at (315) 735-3642 or by email at ochs@oneidacountyhistory.org. The Oneida County Clerk records search page also provides information on how to request older documents.

The Oneida County Clerk has public records that can be searched free of charge during business hours at the office. Copy fees run 65 cents per page. Online access to county records has been available since 2023 through the county's online records portal. The Records Room is on level B1 in the County Office Building, and a Regional Records Center in Westmoreland stores older documents. Naturalization records going back to the early 1800s are kept on the 8th floor.

Note: The Oneida County Clerk can authenticate birth, death, and marriage certificates for apostille purposes at a fee of $5.00 per document.

Utica City Clerk Contact

The Utica City Clerk handles marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, and other vital records. Call the office to check current hours or confirm what you need to bring for your visit. The clerk's office can help with both new marriage license applications and requests for copies of past records.

Nearby Cities

These cities and towns near Utica also issue marriage licenses through their local clerks.