Find Saratoga County Marriage License

Saratoga County marriage license records are maintained by the town and city clerks who issue them. The Saratoga County Clerk at 40 McMaster Street in Ballston Spa handles land records and court filings but does not issue marriage licenses. If you want to apply for a marriage license in Saratoga County, visit the City of Saratoga Springs Clerk, the Town of Clifton Park Clerk, or any other town clerk in the county. Both partners must appear together, present valid identification, and pay the $40 fee. The license is good for 60 days and works at any location in New York State.

Saratoga Springs Marriage License Office

The City of Saratoga Springs Clerk is a popular choice for couples in Saratoga County. The office sits inside City Hall at 474 Broadway. Call (518) 587-3550 ext. 2552 to ask about walk-in hours or scheduling. Marriage license hours run Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Both people must show up in person.

Bring a photo ID and your birth certificate. If either person was married before, certified copies of the divorce judgment or an annulment must come along too. A death certificate is needed if a prior spouse passed away. The fee is $40, set by state law. Under DRL Section 13, the clerk fills out the license application and verifies all the information before handing it over. No blood test is needed in New York.

Note: You do not need to live in Saratoga Springs to get your marriage license there.

Clifton Park Marriage License

The Town of Clifton Park Clerk also issues marriage licenses. The office is at One Town Hall Plaza in Clifton Park. Call (518) 371-7411 to make an appointment. Marriage licenses are available by appointment only at this office. Bring the same documents listed above. The fee is $40.

After the clerk issues your license, a 24-hour waiting period starts per DRL Section 13-b. You cannot have the ceremony until that time passes. The license stays valid for 60 days. If one party is active military, it extends to 180 days with proof. A judge can waive the 24-hour wait if needed. Other Saratoga County towns that issue licenses include Ballston, Malta, Halfmoon, and Mechanicville. Pick whichever clerk office is most handy.

Saratoga County Marriage License Copies

The cheapest way to get a certified copy of your marriage license is from the town clerk who issued it. The cost is $10. Bring your photo ID and stop in during office hours, or mail a notarized letter with the names of both spouses, the marriage date, and a check or money order for $10.

You can also request copies from the New York State Department of Health. The state charges $30 per copy. Processing takes 10 to 12 weeks. Priority service adds $15 per certificate. Rush orders through VitalChek ship faster but cost more. Only the bride or groom can get a certified copy unless the record is over 50 years old and both spouses are deceased. The Saratoga County Clerk's office maintains marriage records from 1908 through 1935, which can be useful for genealogy work.

The screenshot below shows the Saratoga County Clerk website, which provides information about county records and services. Visit the Saratoga County Clerk for more details on available records.

The County Clerk handles land records, court documents, and some historical vital records, but does not issue new marriage licenses.

Saratoga County Marriage License History

Vital records in New York began in 1881. The New York State Archives holds indexes to marriage records from that year forward for all counties outside New York City. The Saratoga County History Center also has research materials. Land records in the county go back to 1791. Surrogate Court records start from 1791 as well.

Under DRL Section 14, the town or city clerk who issues the license keeps the original on file after the wedding. The officiant signs the license and returns it within five days. The clerk then files a copy with the state. About two to four weeks later, the couple gets a Certificate of Marriage Registration in the mail. Under Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law, judges, clergy, mayors, and appointed one-day officiants can all perform the ceremony.

For genealogy requests, the NYS Department of Health genealogy section offers uncertified copies of marriage records on file for 50 or more years when both spouses are known to be deceased. Processing can take several months.

Nearby Counties

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