Access Schoharie County Marriage License

Schoharie County marriage license records are handled by the town clerks in this rural county in the eastern part of New York State. The Schoharie County Clerk at 290 Main Street in Schoharie keeps land records and court filings but does not issue marriage licenses. Couples who want to get a marriage license in Schoharie County visit the town clerk in Schoharie, Cobleskill, Middleburgh, or any of the other small communities in the county. The fee is $40 everywhere. Both people must appear in person with valid ID and their birth certificates. The process takes about 20 to 30 minutes, and the license is valid for 60 days.

Schoharie County Clerk Office

The Schoharie County Clerk sits at 290 Main Street, Suite 224, in the Village of Schoharie. The phone number is (518) 295-8316. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. This office deals with land records, court documents, and other county business. It does not issue marriage licenses. For a license, you go to a town clerk.

The County Clerk has land records going back to 1797 and court records from the same year. Marriage records from 1908 through 1935 are also on file. Naturalization records are available too. These older records can help with genealogy research. Per DRL Section 13, all marriage licenses in New York must be obtained from a town or city clerk before the wedding can take place.

How to Get a Marriage License in Schoharie County

Marriage licenses in Schoharie County are issued by the individual town clerks. The towns of Schoharie, Cobleskill, Middleburgh, Sharon, and others each have their own clerk. Call ahead to check hours, since some smaller offices have limited schedules. Both partners must go in together.

Bring your birth certificate with a raised seal and a photo ID. If you were married before, bring the certified divorce decree or a death certificate for a prior spouse. The fee is $40 statewide. No blood test is needed. The clerk fills out the form, checks your documents, and gives you the license. Under DRL Section 13-b, you must wait 24 hours before the ceremony. The license stays valid for 60 days. Active military members get 180 days.

You do not need to live in Schoharie County to apply here. And the license works at any venue in New York State. After the wedding, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the issuing clerk within five days. The clerk files it with the state, and a Certificate of Marriage Registration comes in the mail a few weeks later.

Note: Some Schoharie County town clerks keep limited office hours, so call before you visit.

Copies of Schoharie County Marriage License

Get a certified copy from the town clerk who issued your license for $10. That is the cheapest and fastest option. Bring photo ID and visit in person, or mail a notarized request with both names, the marriage date, and a check for $10.

The New York State Department of Health also issues certified copies for $30 each. Processing runs 10 to 12 weeks. Priority service adds $15. Rush orders through VitalChek cost more but arrive faster. Only the bride or groom can request a certified copy unless the record is over 50 years old and both spouses have passed away.

Schoharie County Marriage License History

The Schoharie County Historical Society at PO Box 443 in Schoharie is a good place for older research. They hold local history materials that may include marriage records, family papers, and community documents. Vital records in New York started in 1881. The New York State Archives holds indexes from that year onward for all counties outside New York City.

The New York State Library also has genealogy resources. Under Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law, a wide range of people can perform wedding ceremonies in New York. Judges, justices, clergy, mayors, and one-day officiants are all valid options. The DOH genealogy section handles requests for older records when both spouses are known to be deceased.

The screenshot below shows the Schoharie County Clerk website. Visit the Schoharie County Clerk for details on available records and office hours.

The County Clerk site has information about land records, court filings, and historical records on file in Schoharie County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Schoharie County. Each has town clerks who can issue marriage licenses.