Sullivan County Marriage License
Sullivan County marriage license records are filed with the town and village clerks where each license was issued. The County Clerk's office in Monticello keeps land records, court filings, and other public documents but does not issue new marriage licenses itself. Whether you are getting married in the Catskills or searching for an old marriage license from the Sullivan County area, this guide covers the full process. You will find clerk contact details, what documents to bring, how much it costs, and where to look for older records.
Sullivan County Overview
Sullivan County Clerk Office
The Sullivan County Clerk is at 100 North Street in Monticello. Russell Reeves serves as the County Clerk. The office handles land records, court filings, passports, pistol permits, and other legal documents. Walk-in service is available for most requests. The phone number is (845) 807-0411.
Sullivan County was formed in 1809 from Ulster County. The county is named for John Sullivan, a Revolutionary War hero. It borders Delaware, Ulster, and Orange counties along with the state of Pennsylvania. The county seat is the village of Monticello. For a new marriage license, you visit a town or village clerk rather than the county clerk. But the county office can help with questions about public records and point you in the right direction.
| Office | Sullivan County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
100 North Street, PO Box 5012 Monticello, NY 12701-5012 |
| Phone | (845) 807-0411 |
Getting a Sullivan County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Sullivan County are issued by town and village clerks. Both people must appear at the clerk's office together. You cannot send one person by themselves. Each applicant needs a certified birth certificate with a raised seal showing parents' names. Photo ID is also required. A driver's license, passport, or state-issued non-driver ID all work. If either person was married before, bring the final divorce papers or a death certificate for the prior spouse.
The fee is $40. New York sets this price under DRL §13-b, so it is the same across every county. A 24-hour waiting period starts once you apply. You can't get married the same day you pick up the license. After those 24 hours, the license stays valid for 60 days. If 60 days pass and no ceremony takes place, you must start over.
Both applicants must be 18 or older under DRL §13. There is no parental consent exception. You don't need to live in Sullivan County to apply here. A license from any New York clerk is good for a wedding held anywhere in the state.
Note: Birth, marriage, and death records in Sullivan County are maintained by the clerk of the municipality where the event took place.
Sullivan County Marriage License Resources
The Sullivan County government website provides details about the Clerk's office and other departments.
From this site you can find phone numbers and addresses for county offices. For marriage license applications, you will need to visit a local town or village clerk in person.
Who Can Officiate in Sullivan County
Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law lists everyone who can legally perform a wedding in New York. This includes judges, justices, clergy, and leaders of ethical culture societies. Town justices in Sullivan County can also marry couples. Any person 18 or older can apply for a one-day marriage officiant license for $25 from the clerk who issued the marriage license.
After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the issuing clerk within five business days. This is not optional. If the license is not returned, your marriage certificate could be held up. The couple should follow up with the clerk after a couple of weeks to make sure the paperwork was filed. Sullivan County has many popular wedding venues in the Catskills, so making sure the officiant knows about the five-day return rule is important.
Sullivan County Marriage Records History
New York State began collecting vital record data in 1880. Marriage records from after that year (outside the five boroughs of New York City) can be ordered from the New York State Department of Health. For records before 1880, you need to check with the town or village where the marriage took place. Churches and local clerks kept most of the older records.
The Sullivan County Historical Society and Museum at 265 Main Street in Hurleyville has local genealogy resources. They hold state census originals for 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1915, and 1925. The censuses from 1825, 1835, 1845, and 1905 are lost. You can reach them by phone at 845-434-8044 or by email at info@scnyhistory.org. The New York Family History Guide for Sullivan County is another useful tool for tracing older records.
The Sullivan County Surrogate's Court at 100 North Street in Monticello handles probate matters and can sometimes help with records that touch on marriage and family connections. Their phone number is (845) 807-0690.
Note: State census records for Sullivan County from 1825, 1835, 1845, and 1905 have been lost and are not available from any source.
Sullivan County Marriage License Fees
The marriage license costs $40. This is standard across New York. After the wedding, a certified copy of the marriage certificate costs $10 from the issuing clerk. You can also get copies from the state health department by mail, though the fee and wait time may differ. For the quickest service, go back to the same clerk who gave you the license.
Nearby Counties
Sullivan County borders several other New York counties. You can get your marriage license from any town clerk in any of these counties.