Putnam County Marriage License

Putnam County marriage license records are managed by town clerks in six towns across this small Hudson Valley county. Located about 50 miles north of New York City, Putnam County has around 97,000 residents and covers a compact area between Westchester County to the south and Dutchess County to the north. If you are looking to get a marriage license or search for an existing record in Putnam County, you will need to contact one of the local town clerk offices. The county clerk office does not handle marriage licenses directly.

Putnam County Marriage License Offices

Putnam County has six towns, and each one has a clerk who can issue a marriage license. The towns are Carmel, Kent, Patterson, Philipstown, Putnam Valley, and Southeast. The Town of Carmel serves as the county seat and is one of the busiest clerk offices in the county. The Putnam County Clerk's Office handles business certificates, land records, and court filings but does not issue marriage licenses.

The Town of Carmel clerk office is at 60 McAlpin Avenue in Mahopac. Appointments are required for marriage licenses. The fee is $40, and they accept cash or check. Both people must come in together to fill out the application. You should apply at least 24 hours before the wedding but no more than 60 days ahead of time. Bring certified birth certificates, Social Security cards, and a government photo ID. If this is not a first marriage, you need divorce judgments for all prior divorces or a death certificate for a former spouse.

Putnam County Online Resources

The Putnam County government website provides access to the County Clerk's office, department contacts, and links to town clerk pages where marriage licenses are issued.

Check this site for the latest office hours and holiday closures before planning your visit to any Putnam County town clerk.

Marriage License Requirements in Putnam County

New York State law under DRL §13 requires both people to appear in person at a clerk office. You need to bring several documents. Each person must have a certified birth certificate, a valid photo ID like a driver's license or passport, and a Social Security card. If either party was married before, you need certified copies of all divorce judgments or a death certificate for a former spouse.

The 24-hour waiting period under DRL §13-b starts when the clerk issues the license. You cannot get married until those 24 hours pass. A judge can waive this rule if there is a good reason. The license is good for 60 days from the date it is issued. Military members on active duty get 180 days instead. Once you have the license, it works anywhere in New York State, not just in Putnam County.

Foreign documents must be translated into English. The clerk may ask questions about the documents if anything looks unclear. It is a good idea to bring extra copies of everything just in case.

Putnam County Marriage License Fees

The marriage license fee is $40 across all of New York State. In Putnam County, the Town of Carmel takes cash or check. Other town clerks may have different payment options, so ask when you call to schedule your appointment.

If you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate later, the town clerk who issued the license can provide one for about $10. The NYS Department of Health also keeps records and charges $30 by mail or $45 for phone and online orders. Records less than 50 years old are restricted under DRL §14 and only available to the people named on the certificate or those with a court order.

Putnam County Marriage Records

Putnam County was formed in 1812. Town clerks have maintained vital records since that time. The county clerk keeps land records and court records at the County Clerk's office but marriage license files remain with the town clerks. If you are looking for an old marriage record from Putnam County and you don't know which town issued it, try the New York State Department of Health. They hold copies of marriage records from across the state.

For genealogy research on records older than 50 years, the New York State Archives offers free access to older vital records. The Putnam County Historian can also help point you toward local resources. Marriage records that are more recent are restricted by state law and can only be obtained by the parties named on the document.

Marriage License Law in Putnam County

All marriage license rules in Putnam County come from New York's Domestic Relations Law. Section 11 says your license is valid anywhere in the state. DRL §13 covers the application process, and DRL §13-b sets the 24-hour waiting period. Both parties must be at least 18 years old to apply without parental or court involvement.

After your ceremony, the officiant must sign the marriage license along with both spouses and at least one witness. The officiant then has five days to file the signed license back with the clerk who issued it. Once filed, the clerk sends the information to the NYS Department of Health, which keeps the state's central registry of all marriage records. If you do not receive your Certificate of Marriage Registration within a month, contact the issuing clerk to follow up.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Putnam County. Since any town clerk in New York State can issue a marriage license, a nearby office may have more convenient hours for your schedule.