Washington County Marriage Records Search

Washington County marriage records are available from the county clerk in Fort Edward for records dating to the early 1900s, and from town clerks across the county for more recent records. The county clerk holds marriage records from 1908 through April 1935. Everything after that date is kept by the individual town clerk who issued the license. Washington County is a rural area in eastern New York along the Vermont border, with 15 towns that each manage their own vital records.

Washington County Clerk Office

The Washington County Clerk is Barbara A. Giffin. Her office is at 383 Broadway in Fort Edward, NY 12828. The phone number is (518) 746-4000. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM. Fort Edward is the county seat and sits along the Hudson River in the southern part of the county.

The clerk holds marriage records from 1908 through April 1935. This matches the statewide pattern for New York county clerk offices. A certified copy costs $10. The staff can search by name if you provide details about the bride and groom. Include approximate dates to speed up the process. Walk-in requests are handled during regular office hours, and mail requests are also accepted.

Beyond marriage records, the Washington County Clerk handles deeds, mortgages, court filings, and other county documents. Court records in this office go back to the 1700s. While those older court records do not contain marriage certificates, they sometimes reference marriages in property or inheritance disputes, which genealogists find useful.

How to Get Washington County Marriage Records

Figure out when the marriage took place. For 1908 to April 1935, call the county clerk at (518) 746-4000. For records after 1935, contact the town clerk where the license was issued.

Washington County has 15 towns: Argyle, Cambridge, Dresden, Easton, Fort Ann, Fort Edward, Granville, Greenwich, Hampton, Hebron, Jackson, Kingsbury, Putnam, Salem, and White Creek. Greenwich and Kingsbury tend to be the busier offices given their larger populations. Fort Edward, as the county seat, also handles a fair number of license applications. The other towns are smaller and their clerks may have limited hours.

The New York State Department of Health maintains marriage records statewide. A mail request is $30 and goes to the Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. Online orders cost $45 plus fees. Processing by mail takes about 8 to 10 weeks. The state search covers all of New York except New York City.

For historical research, the New York State Archives holds marriage indexes from 1881. Indexes older than 50 years are open to the public. This is a good way to identify which town recorded a Washington County marriage before you request the actual certificate from the local clerk.

Marriage License Process in Washington County

Any town clerk in Washington County can issue a marriage license. The fee is $40 across the state. Both people must appear together with photo ID and proof of age. Under Domestic Relations Law Section 15, a 24-hour waiting period applies. The license is then valid for 60 days.

You can use the license anywhere in New York. Washington County's rural setting and farmland attract some couples looking for country wedding venues. Town clerks in Greenwich and Cambridge sometimes see requests from couples who plan to wed at local farms or historic properties in the area.

If either person was married before, they must bring proof the earlier marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or death certificate for the former spouse works. Both parties must be 18 or older. New York has no blood test requirement. The officiant returns the signed certificate to the issuing clerk within five days of the ceremony.

Towns in Washington County

Washington County has 15 towns spread across a mostly agricultural landscape. Kingsbury, which includes the village of Hudson Falls, has the largest population. Greenwich is another sizable community. Fort Edward is the county seat. Granville sits near the Vermont border and is known for its slate quarries. Cambridge and Salem are small but well-established towns with active community services.

The northern towns like Dresden, Putnam, and Hampton are very rural. Fort Ann is in the central part of the county. Argyle, Easton, Hebron, Jackson, and White Creek fill in the remaining territory. Each town clerk runs their own office and keeps their own marriage records. Hours vary widely, especially in the smaller communities. A quick phone call before visiting saves frustration.

Washington County Marriage Records and Genealogy

Washington County has deep roots going back to the Revolutionary War era. The county clerk's 1908 to 1935 records cover a useful window for family history research. Court records in Fort Edward date back centuries. The NY.gov marriage page provides statewide context for how marriage records work in New York.

Local resources include the Washington County Historical Society and town-level historical groups in communities like Salem and Cambridge. Church records from older congregations in the county sometimes predate civil registration and can document marriages that are not in government files. The Bancroft Public Library in Salem has a local history collection. FamilySearch.org and the State Archives in Albany are also worth checking for indexed Washington County records.

Bring the right paperwork when you go for a license. Both people need a valid photo ID and proof of age. A driver's license or passport covers both needs. If either party was married before, a certified divorce decree or death certificate is required. Hospital-issued birth certificates will not work. You need the official version from a state health department. Under Domestic Relations Law Section 15, both applicants must appear in person at the same visit. There are no exceptions. Missing a document means a wasted trip, so check your paperwork before you leave home.

Local copies from a Washington County town clerk cost $10 each. The state Department of Health charges $30 by mail or $45 online. The local route saves money when you know which town issued the license. The state option is better when you lack that detail, since they can search their entire database going back to 1881. Records newer than 50 years are restricted to the parties named on the certificate, their legal agents, or close family. After 50 years, anyone can request a copy for any reason.

Nearby Counties

Washington County borders these New York counties. Each maintains its own marriage records.