Clinton County Marriage License

Clinton County marriage license records are filed with the town and city clerks who issue them across the county. The main offices for getting a marriage license sit in Plattsburgh, which serves as the county seat and has the most foot traffic for vital records. Several smaller towns in Clinton County also handle marriage license applications, and any of them can issue a valid license under New York State law. If you need to find a record, look up a past filing, or start a new application, the local clerks in Clinton County can help you through each step of the process.

Clinton County Marriage License Offices

The Plattsburgh Town Clerk is the most used office for marriage license applications in Clinton County. The office is at 151 Banker Road, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. You can reach them at (518) 562-6830. Hours run Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a short break from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for lunch. The clerk asks that you show up by 3:30 p.m. if you want a marriage license that day. Under DRL Section 13, all couples who plan to wed in New York must get a license from a town or city clerk first.

When you go to the Plattsburgh Town Clerk, bring your valid driver's license and your original birth certificate with a raised seal. If you were born at CVPH Medical Center, your birth certificate is on file with the City Clerk's office at 41 City Hall Place in Plattsburgh. You can reach the City Clerk, Sylvia Parrotte, at (518) 563-7702. The fee for a Clinton County marriage license is $40, and you can pay with cash, check, or credit card. Once the clerk issues the license, you must wait 24 hours before any ceremony can take place per DRL Section 13-b. The license stays valid for 60 days.

The Clinton County Clerk's Office at the Government Center, 137 Margaret Street, does not issue marriage licenses. That office handles deeds, mortgages, court records, and naturalization cards dating back to 1865. The County Clerk can be reached at (518) 565-4700. They do hold some marriage records in a docket book from 1908 to 1935, but those are not complete certificates. For a marriage license, you must go to a town or city clerk.

How to Get a Marriage License in Clinton County

Both partners need to show up in person at the same time. No exceptions. Bring a valid photo ID and your birth certificate. If you were married before, bring your divorce decree or death certificate for a prior spouse. The clerk fills out the form and collects the $40 fee. You get the license right away, but you must wait 24 hours to use it. A judge can waive that wait if needed.

The Plattsburgh Town Clerk also performs marriage ceremonies for $60. Ceremonies can take place at Town Hall or anywhere within the Town of Plattsburgh limits. You pay with cash, check, or credit card. If you want a civil ceremony in Clinton County, this is one of the most direct options. You need the marriage license, your partner, and at least one witness. Under Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law, judges, mayors, clergy, and appointed marriage officers can all perform the ceremony. After the wedding, the officiant signs the license and sends it back to the issuing clerk. The clerk files it with the state and mails you a Certificate of Marriage Registration within two to four weeks.

The screenshot below shows the Clinton County Clerk's website where you can find contact details and office hours. Visit the Clinton County Clerk website for more info.

This page lists the services the county clerk provides, though marriage licenses are handled at the town level.

Clinton County Marriage License Copies

A certified copy of a marriage record costs $10 from the town or city clerk who issued it. That is the cheapest route. If you go through the New York State Department of Health, the fee is $30 per copy. The state office takes 10 to 12 weeks for regular processing. For faster service, you can use priority handling for an extra $15 per certificate. Rush orders through VitalChek cost more but ship in about five business days.

To get a copy from a Clinton County clerk, bring your photo ID and pay the $10 fee in person. You can also mail a request. Include a notarized letter with the names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and a check or money order for $10. Mail it to the clerk who issued the license. Only the bride or groom can get a certified copy unless the record is over 50 years old and both spouses are dead. The Town of Chazy, for example, has vital records going back to 1884 and will process genealogy requests by mail if you send your check payable to Town of Chazy, PO Box 219, Chazy, NY 12921.

Note: The Clinton County Clerk's docket book of marriages from 1908 to 1935 is not a full set of certificates and should not be used as a primary source for copies.

Clinton County Marriage License History

Clinton County was formed in 1788. It has deep roots in French-Canadian settlement, and church records from that era are some of the best sources for early marriage data. Catholic parish records often predate civil registration, which did not start statewide until 1880. The Clinton County Historian's Office is a good first stop for genealogy work. SUNY Plattsburgh's Feinberg Library holds historical documents, photographs, and manuscripts tied to the region.

The Clinton County Historical Association and Museum at 98 Ohio Avenue in Plattsburgh can also help with research. Phone: (518) 561-0340. The Northern New York American-Canadian Genealogical Society at PO Box 928, Dannemora, NY 12929 focuses on the French-Canadian families that settled this part of the state. You can reach them at (518) 492-4142. The New York State Archives has indexes to marriage records from 1881 onward on microfiche, and the New York State Library has more genealogy resources. The Clinton County Surrogate's Court at 137 Margaret Street handles probate records going back to 1792 and can be reached at (518) 565-4630.

The Plattsburgh Town Clerk's website shows the documents you need to apply for a marriage license in Clinton County. Visit the Town of Plattsburgh website for current hours and requirements.

This page covers the full list of ID requirements and fees for getting a marriage license at the Plattsburgh Town Clerk.

Note: Marriage indexes at the state level are made available after 50 years per state policy.

Cities in Clinton County

Clinton County includes the City of Plattsburgh and several surrounding towns. No cities in Clinton County meet the population threshold for a dedicated page, but all local clerks can issue marriage licenses that work statewide.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Clinton County. Make sure you contact the right clerk for where your license was filed.