Chenango County Marriage License Records

Chenango County marriage license applications are handled by town and city clerks throughout the county. The City of Norwich and the Town of Norwich are the two main offices in the area. Chenango County is a rural county in central New York State, formed in 1798. Marriage records at the town level start in 1908. The County Court is at 13 Eaton Avenue in Norwich. If you want to get a marriage license or look up an old one in Chenango County, the town clerk who issued the license is always your first contact.

Norwich Town Clerk Marriage License

The Norwich Town Clerk is at 157 County Road 32A, Norwich, NY 13815. Phone: (607) 337-2301 Ext. 5. Email: Clerk@townofnorwichny.gov. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Check the calendar on their website for possible changes. The marriage license fee is $40.00, payable by cash, credit or debit card, money order, or check made out to the Town of Norwich.

To apply, both partners must appear at the clerk's office with a valid driver's license or state-issued ID, passport, or employment photo ID. You also need an original or certified birth certificate. If either person was divorced or widowed, bring certified proof of how each prior marriage ended. No blood test is needed. No appointment is required at the Norwich Town Clerk. The process takes about 30 minutes. Per DRL Section 13-b, you must wait 24 hours after the license is issued. The license is valid for 60 days.

In-person credit and debit card payments are accepted for marriage licenses. A $2.00 service fee is charged on card payments. The Norwich Town Clerk website has forms and more details about services.

This page covers the Norwich Town Clerk's hours, fees, and document requirements for marriage licenses.

City of Norwich Clerk Marriage License

The City of Norwich Clerk is at One City Plaza, Norwich, NY 13815. Phone: (607) 334-1230. City Clerk and Director of Finance is Dee DuFour, email ddufour@norwichnewyork.gov. The city has vital records on file from 1883 for births, 1883 for deaths, and 1887 for marriages. The fee is $40 for a new license. Both partners must appear together at the Finance Office.

Each applicant needs proof of age from a birth certificate, baptismal record, naturalization record, or census record. You also need proof of identity from a driver's license, passport, employment photo ID, or immigration record. If either person was married before, bring divorce papers or a death certificate. The license costs $40 by check or cash. There is a 24-hour wait and the license is good for 60 days.

Chenango County Marriage License Copies

The Norwich Town Clerk issues certified copies to the bride or groom for $10 with proper ID. By mail, send both names, the month and year of the marriage, a money order or check for $10 (no out-of-state checks), a copy of your photo ID, a notarized letter confirming your identity, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Norwich Town Clerk, 157 County Road 32A, Norwich, NY 13815.

Records in the Town of Norwich start in 1908. To release information to someone other than the bride or groom, the license must be 50 years old or more and both parties must be deceased. Otherwise, a Power of Attorney or written permission from the bride or groom is required. The NYS Department of Health also provides copies for $30 each, but state processing takes 10 to 12 weeks.

The genealogy fee schedule for searching vital records in Chenango County is:

• 1-3 years: $22 cash / $24 credit
• 4-10 years: $42 / $44
• 11-20 years: $62 / $64
• 21-30 years: $82 / $84
• 31-40 years: $102 / $104

Note: Records from other municipalities will not be on file in the Norwich clerk's office; you need to contact the clerk in the town where the license was issued.

Chenango County Court Information

Chenango County Court is at 13 Eaton Avenue, the Eaton Building, Norwich, NY 13815. Phone: (607) 337-1457. Hours are weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Town of Chenango clerk also handles marriage licenses by appointment. Their office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Call the Town Hall to confirm availability. Under DRL Section 13, all marriages in the state require a license from a town or city clerk. The license must be delivered to the officiant within 60 days.

After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the issuing clerk. The clerk then files it with the New York State Department of Health and sends you a Certificate of Marriage Registration within about 15 days. Your marriage certificate is a legal document. Review it carefully for errors in names, dates, or places when you receive it. Under Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law, many types of officials can perform weddings in New York.

Cities in Chenango County

Chenango County includes the City of Norwich and many small towns. All marriage license applications go through local clerks.

Nearby Counties

These counties sit next to Chenango County. Contact the clerk who issued your license for copies.