Marriage records in Putnam County, New York, are available through several channels. PutnamCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about marriage records in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained directly through the county clerk's office—either in person, by mail, or using state online tools. Below is a practical guide for searching, ordering, and obtaining marriage records in this county.
Putnam Marriage Records Search
In New York State, marriage licenses are issued and registered by the city or county clerk where the couple applied. After the ceremony, the signed marriage certificate is returned to the clerk who registered it, and a copy is sent to the New York State Department of Health (NYS Department of Health). In Putnam County, the Putnam County Clerk's Office is responsible for maintaining marriage records. The collection includes issued marriage licenses, registered marriage certificates, and historical records.
For marriages conducted outside New York City starting from 1881, records are also maintained at the state level. Marriages registered before this date should be searched in local municipal archives.
Putnam County Clerk's Office
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Putnam
Fees for copies of marriage records are set according to New York State law and the internal policy of the clerk's office. Certified copies are official documents with a seal that have legal validity for confirming marriage. Uncertified copies are usually used for informational purposes only.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of marriage certificate | $10.00 |
| Additional certified copy (in the same order) | $5.00 |
| Record search (if the exact date is unknown) | $22.00 for every 10 years searched |
Note: State-level fees (through NYS Department of Health) differ from county-level fees. If you order a copy through the state registry, a certified copy costs $30.00. Processing time for county-level requests usually ranges from a few days to two weeks, depending on the office's workload. The state may take longer to process requests—up to several weeks.
Source of fees: County Clerk's office rates in accordance with New York State Domestic Relations Law and Public Health Law.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Putnam
There are three main ways to order a copy of a marriage certificate in Putnam County.
Online
New York State offers the option to order certified copies of vital records through the NYS Department of Health portal. For marriages registered outside New York City after 1881, you can apply online at the Vital Records Section of the Department of Health. Payment is made by credit card.
In Person
Visit the county clerk's office at:
An appointment is usually not required to obtain a copy of a marriage record, but it is best to call ahead to confirm. Bring a valid photo ID with you.
By Mail
Send a request by mail to the county clerk's office. The letter should include:
- A completed public records access request form, which can be downloaded from the official county clerk's website.
- The full names of both spouses.
- The approximate date of marriage.
- A check or money order for the appropriate amount, made payable to Putnam County Clerk.
- A copy of a photo ID.
- A self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE).
Send to:
If you need a marriage record for genealogical research or legal purposes and the exact date is unknown, provide as many details as possible in the application—full names, approximate year, location of the ceremony. This will expedite the search and help the clerk find the required document. For records maintained at the state level, the request can also be sent to the NYS Department of Health, Vital Records Section, at P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602.
Additional information on public records access procedures in Putnam County can be found on the official county website or through the FOIL requests procedure (Freedom of Information Law).