Herkimer County Marriage License

Herkimer County marriage license records are filed with the town and city clerks throughout this Mohawk Valley county. The Village of Herkimer is the county seat, and the Herkimer County Clerk's Office handles land records and court filings. For new marriage license applications, you go to a town or city clerk. The county has over 20 municipalities with their own clerks, including the cities of Little Falls and villages like Dolgeville, Ilion, Mohawk, and Frankfort. This page explains everything you need to know about getting a marriage license in Herkimer County.

Herkimer County Marriage License Offices

The Herkimer County Clerk's Office is at 109 Mary Street, Suite 1111, Herkimer, NY 13350. Phone: (315) 867-1338. The county clerk holds marriage records from 1908 and a marriage index from 1908 to 1935. The office also has naturalization records and declarations of intention dating back to 1821. However, the county clerk does not issue new marriage licenses. Under DRL Section 13, that task falls to the town and city clerks.

Birth, marriage, and death records in New York State are available from two places: the New York State Department of Health and the Registrar of Vital Statistics at the town or city clerk where the event took place or the license was purchased. For Herkimer County, the town clerk is your first stop. The county clerk can help with historical research using the 1908 to 1935 records, but current marriage licenses go through the municipal clerks.

Getting a Marriage License in Herkimer County

Go to any town or city clerk in the county with your partner. Both of you must be there in person. Bring a photo ID and a birth certificate. If you had a prior marriage, bring the divorce decree or death certificate. The clerk processes the application and takes the $40 fee. You get the license on the spot. A 24-hour waiting period then applies per DRL Section 13-b. The license is good for 60 days after that wait.

Herkimer County has a large number of municipal clerks who can help. The list includes Columbia, Danube, Dolgeville, Fairfield, Frankfort, German Flatts, Herkimer, Ilion, Litchfield, Little Falls, Manheim, Mohawk, Newport, Norway, Ohio, Poland, Russia, Salisbury, Schuyler, Stark, Warren, Webb, and Winfield. All charge the same $40 fee. Pick the office that is closest to you or has the best hours for your schedule. After the wedding, the officiant returns the signed license to the clerk, who files it with the state. Under DRL Section 14, the clerk then sends you a Certificate of Marriage Registration.

The Herkimer County Clerk's website has more info on available services. Visit the Herkimer County Clerk website for current contact details.

This page shows the county clerk's services, including access to historical marriage records from 1908.

Herkimer County Marriage License Copies

Certified copies from the town clerk cost $10. The state Department of Health charges $30 and takes 10 to 12 weeks. For genealogy, the state genealogy section provides uncertified copies of records at least 50 years old when both spouses are dead, starting at $22 for a one to three year search.

The Herkimer County Clerk holds marriage records from 1908 to 1927 and a marriage index from 1908 to 1935. These can be useful for historical research, but they are not complete. The New York State Department of Health has copies of marriage records starting in 1880, and individual town clerks also have their own records. For the most reliable copy of a Herkimer County marriage license, go to the town or city clerk who issued it.

The Herkimer County government website shows additional county services and departments. Visit the Herkimer County government page for a full directory.

This page covers county departments and contact information for Herkimer County offices.

Note: The Herkimer County Clerk also holds naturalization records and declarations of intention from 1821, useful for historical and genealogy research.

Herkimer County Marriage Records History

Land records in Herkimer County go back to 1791. The Surrogate Court has probate records from 1792. Marriage records at the county level start in 1908. The New York State Archives holds marriage indexes from 1881 on microfiche. The New York State Library has more genealogy tools. Under Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law, a broad range of officials and clergy can perform ceremonies in Herkimer County.

If you know which town clerk issued the license, start there. It is faster and cheaper than the state. Town clerks charge $10 for copies versus $30 at the state level.

Cities in Herkimer County

Herkimer County includes the City of Little Falls and the Village of Herkimer. No cities in this county meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. All local clerks issue marriage licenses valid statewide.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Herkimer County. Contact the right clerk for where your license was filed.