Search Franklin County Marriage License
Franklin County marriage license records are managed by town and village clerks in this North Country region of New York State. The county seat is Malone, and the county sits along the Canadian border in the northern Adirondacks. To get a marriage license in Franklin County, both applicants must visit a town clerk in person. You can go to any clerk in the county or elsewhere in the state. This page has details on the process, fees, required documents, and where to find existing marriage records in Franklin County.
Franklin County Overview
Franklin County Marriage License Offices
The Franklin County Clerk's office does not issue marriage licenses. For birth, death, or marriage records, the county directs people to the clerk of the town or city where the event took place. You can also get records from the New York State Department of Health by calling 1-855-322-1022.
The Town of Franklin clerk's office handles marriage licenses as part of its regular services. You can reach them at (518) 891-2189. The Records Management Department at the county website also points people to the town or village clerk where the marriage took place when they need copies of records.
Marriage licenses in Franklin County follow standard New York State rules. The fee is $40. Both people must show up in person. There is a 24-hour waiting period before the ceremony can take place. The license stays valid for 60 days. Active military members can get 180 days with proof of service.
| Town of Franklin Clerk | Phone: (518) 891-2189 |
|---|---|
| County Website | franklincountyny.gov |
| License Fee | $40.00 |
| Waiting Period | 24 hours |
How to Get a Marriage License in Franklin County
Both people must come to the clerk's office together. You cannot send a representative, even with a power of attorney. Each person needs to bring proof of age and proof of identity. A driver's license, birth certificate, or passport will work. All documents must be in English or come with a certified translation.
If you were married before, you must bring certified proof of how each prior marriage ended. That means a divorce decree or death certificate. Under DRL Section 13, the clerk cannot issue a license without this information. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. No blood tests or physical exams are needed in New York State.
The $40 fee covers the license and a Certificate of Marriage Registration that the clerk mails to you after the wedding. This certificate goes out within about 15 days after the officiant returns the completed license. If you do not get it within four weeks, call the clerk who issued the license.
Note: A judge or Supreme Court justice can waive the 24-hour waiting period if either party lives in New York State, under DRL Section 13-b.
Franklin County Records and Resources
The Franklin County government website is the main online resource for county services. It covers all departments and provides contact information for the various offices.
The Franklin County Clerk's page shown above links to county departments, including the Records Management office that can help with older record searches.
For copies of a Franklin County marriage record, the town clerk who issued the license charges $10. The state charges $30. Regular state processing takes 10 to 12 weeks. Priority handling costs an extra $15 and takes about two weeks. For genealogy research, the state charges $22 for a three-year search. Processing can take eight months or longer through the state.
Marriage Ceremony Rules in Franklin County
Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law lists who can perform a marriage ceremony in New York. This includes judges, town justices, mayors, village justices, ordained clergy, and spiritual leaders. The officiant does not have to be a New York resident. The ceremony has no set form. The couple just needs to say, in front of the officiant and at least one witness, that they take each other as spouses.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and sends it back to the issuing clerk. Under DRL Section 14, the clerk records the marriage with the state. The Certificate of Marriage Registration is your proof that the marriage is on file. If you want to change your name, you can enter the new surname on the license application before the wedding. The options include taking the other spouse's name, using a former name, or combining both names.
State Resources for Franklin County Marriage Records
The New York State Department of Health has marriage records from 1881 onward. Write to PO Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602, or call (855) 322-1022. The New York State Archives has microfiche indexes that go back to 1881 for marriages.
For genealogy, the state genealogy office provides uncertified copies of records on file for at least 50 years if both spouses are deceased. The closest microfiche index location for Franklin County is likely the Flower Memorial Library at 229 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601, phone (315) 785-7705. The NY.gov marriage page has a full overview of state marriage rules.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Franklin County in the northern part of New York State. You can get a marriage license from any town clerk in any county.