Montgomery County Marriage License

Montgomery County marriage license applications go through the town and city clerks who serve communities like Amsterdam, Fonda, Canajoharie, and Fort Plain. The county seat is Fonda, where the County Clerk office and the Department of History and Archives are both located. If you need to get a marriage license in Montgomery County, any local clerk can help you. The process takes about 15 minutes once you have all your documents ready. Old marriage records from the early 1900s are on file at the County Clerk office, and the county historian keeps genealogical files that include vital records, land records, and family histories going back to the 1700s.

Montgomery County Clerk

The Montgomery County Clerk is Brittany Kolbe. Tina Ehrenreich serves as Deputy County Clerk. The office sits in the Montgomery County Office Building at 64 Broadway in Fonda. Regular hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4 PM, with recording hours ending at 3:30 PM. Summer hours in July and August shift to 9 AM to 4 PM. The Montgomery County Clerk website has department contacts and general county info.

The County Clerk does not issue marriage licenses. Town and city clerks handle that task. But the County Clerk does keep some older vital records and can direct you to the right office. The Montgomery County government site lists all local municipalities and their clerk offices, which is helpful when you are trying to figure out where to apply.

Getting a Marriage License

Both people must show up in person at a town or city clerk office in Montgomery County. You can also go to any clerk office in New York State. The fee is $40, paid to the issuing clerk. DRL §13 requires all couples to obtain a marriage license before the ceremony. Most clerk offices in Montgomery County accept cash or checks.

You need two types of documents. First, proof of age. The clerk accepts an original birth certificate with a raised seal, a baptismal record, naturalization papers, or a census record. Second, proof of identity. A driver's license, passport, or employment picture ID will work. If you were married before, bring a certified copy of your divorce decree. If your former spouse passed away, bring the death certificate instead. The clerk reviews everything on the spot.

After you get the license, DRL §13-b imposes a 24-hour wait. You cannot use it until the next day. Then you have 60 days to hold the ceremony and return the signed license to the clerk who issued it.

Montgomery County Marriage License Resources

Visit the Montgomery County Clerk page for department information and contacts for all county offices.

The clerk site provides links to recording services, court records, and vital records guidance for Montgomery County residents.

The Montgomery County government website lists all towns, villages, and city offices in the county along with their contact details.

From there you can find the clerk office closest to your home and check their hours before heading in to apply for a marriage license.

Town Clerks in Montgomery County

Montgomery County has town and city clerks in Ames, Amsterdam, Canajoharie, Charleston, Florida, Fonda, Fort Johnson, Fort Plain, Fultonville, Glen, Hagaman, Minden, Mohawk, Nelliston, Palatine, Palatine Bridge, Root, and Saint Johnsville. Each of these offices can issue a marriage license and keep their own records of marriages performed in their area.

Amsterdam is the largest city in Montgomery County. Its city clerk office processes more marriage licenses than most of the smaller towns. If you live in Amsterdam or nearby, that office may be the most convenient. Copies of your marriage certificate are available from the issuing clerk for $10 each. The New York State Department of Health charges $30 for the same document.

Montgomery County History and Archives

The Montgomery County Department of History and Archives is at the Old Court House, 9 Park Street in Fonda. The county historian is Kelly A. Farquhar. Research fees run $20 per hour, and requests are typically answered in six to eight weeks. You can reach the archives at (518) 853-8186 or by email at kfarquhar@co.montgomery.ny.us.

The collection includes histories and biographies, cemetery records, family genealogies, and vital records extractions for births, marriages, and deaths. Land records from 1772 to 1788 cover the old Tryon/Montgomery County era. Other deeds are at the County Clerk office. The archives also have directories, gazetteers, and historical files that can help with genealogy searches in Montgomery County.

For statewide marriage records, the New York State Department of Health keeps files from 1881 forward. The genealogy program offers uncertified copies of records that are at least 50 years old for a base fee of $22. The New York State Archives in Albany has microfiche indexes that cover all vital records outside of New York City.

Marriage Ceremony in Montgomery County

Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law spells out who can officiate a wedding. Judges, justices, mayors, members of the clergy, and state legislators are all on the list. There is no set ceremony format. Both people just need to state in front of the officiant and at least one witness that they take each other as spouses. The officiant then signs the license and sends it back to the issuing clerk.

Name changes after marriage are optional. Under DRL §14, the marriage license form has a place to write your chosen name. Options include taking your spouse's surname, keeping your own, combining both, or using a hyphenated version. Your name does not change automatically. You must take steps to update it with the Social Security Administration, the DMV, and other agencies after the wedding.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Montgomery County. A marriage license from any New York clerk works across the entire state.