Search Jefferson County Marriage License

Jefferson County marriage license records are kept by the town and city clerks across this northern New York county. Watertown serves as the county seat, and the Watertown City Clerk is the busiest office for marriage license applications in the area. The Jefferson County Clerk does not have birth, marriage, or death records. Those sit with the municipal clerks. Whether you need a new marriage license or want to find an older record, the local town or city clerk in Jefferson County is where you start.

Jefferson County Clerk and Marriage License

The Jefferson County Clerk's Office is at 175 Arsenal Street, 1st Floor, Watertown, NY 13601. Phone: (315) 785-3312. Fax: (315) 785-5048. Email: jeffcoclerksoffice@jeffersoncountyny.gov. Gizelle J. Meeks is the Jefferson County Clerk. The office has departments for DMV, land and court recording, and records management.

The Jefferson County Clerk does NOT have birth, marriage, or death records. This is stated clearly on their website. For marriage license applications and copies, go to the city, town, or village clerk where the event took place or the license was purchased. Getting your records from the original filing place is faster, more efficient, and more accurate. The New York State Department of Health also has copies, but the local clerk is the better route. Under DRL Section 13, all marriage licenses must be issued by a town or city clerk.

Note: The Jefferson County Clerk holds incomplete marriage records from 1908 to 1935. Contact the town or city clerk who issued the license before searching the county records.

How to Get a Marriage License in Jefferson County

Both partners must show up in person at the same time at any town or city clerk in Jefferson County. You need a photo ID and a birth certificate. If you were married before, bring your divorce decree or a death certificate for a prior spouse. The fee is $40. The clerk issues the license right away, but you must wait 24 hours before the ceremony per DRL Section 13-b. The license is valid for 60 days. Active military gets 180 days.

Jefferson County has many municipal clerks who can issue licenses. The list includes Adams, Alexandria, Antwerp, Black River, Brownville, Cape Vincent, Carthage, Champion, Clayton, Ellisburg, Evans Mills, Henderson, Hounsfield, LeRay, Lorraine, Lyme, Orleans, Pamelia, Philadelphia, Rodman, Rutland, Theresa, Watertown, Wilna, and Worth. The Watertown City Clerk is the most used office given the city's size. All clerks charge the same $40 fee. Pick whichever office is most convenient. Fort Drum is nearby, and military couples often use the Watertown or LeRay clerks.

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and sends it back to the issuing clerk. Under DRL Section 14, the clerk files it with the state and mails you a Certificate of Marriage Registration within two to four weeks. Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law lists who can perform the ceremony, including judges, mayors, clergy, and appointed marriage officers.

Jefferson County Marriage License Records Online

The Jefferson County Clerk has been making records available online since 2014 at SearchIQS. This database covers land records, deeds, mortgages, and other county filings. Marriage records from 1908 to 1935 are in the county records but not complete. You can also schedule appointments through the county clerk's online system at Setmore.

The Jefferson County Clerk's website has more details on available records. Visit the Jefferson County Clerk website for the latest hours and online services.

This page shows the county clerk's website with contact details and department information.

The Jefferson County records website has additional resources. Visit the Jefferson County records page for more details on county services.

This page covers Jefferson County government services and provides links to various departments.

Copies of Jefferson County Marriage License

Certified copies from the town or city clerk cost $10. The state Department of Health charges $30 with 10 to 12 week processing. For genealogy, the state genealogy section provides uncertified copies of records at least 50 years old when both spouses are dead, starting at $22.

The Jefferson County Clerk's Records Management Department can help with historical records. Contact them at recordscenter@jeffersoncountyny.gov or call (315) 785-3312, Option 3. You can search public records for free in person during regular business hours. The county has other historical records going back to 1793, including deeds, judgment books from 1807, and military discharge records from 1862. For marriage records specifically, the town clerk where the license was bought is always the best source.

Note: In-person searches at the Jefferson County Clerk are free, but copy fees still apply at the rates posted in the office.

Jefferson County Marriage Records History

The New York State Archives has marriage indexes from 1881 on microfiche. The New York State Library has more genealogy resources. Jefferson County deeds go back to 1793 and naturalization indexes to 1825. The county clerk acquired a map scanner in 2016 to image current and historical maps back to 1959.

Going to the town clerk is always faster and cheaper than the state. Local copies cost $10. State copies cost $30 and take months.

Cities in Jefferson County

Jefferson County includes the City of Watertown and surrounding towns. 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 Jefferson County. Contact the right clerk for where your license was filed.