City Clerk’s Office
Marriage License
A couple who intends to get married in New York State must apply in person for a marriage license to any town or city clerk in the state. To obtain a marriage license through the City of Watervliet you will need to make an appointment with the City Clerk’s office. You can do this by calling 518-270-3800 ext. 115.
Download the Marriage License Application. The application for license must be signed by both the bride and the groom in the presence of the town or city clerk.
When applying for a marriage license both applicants must provide the following documentation:
• Birth Certificate
• Driver’s License
• Social Security Card
• If either party was previously married, they must present a copy of the divorce decree or copy of the death certificate, if applicable.
There is a $40 fee for the marriage license which is payable by either cash or check. Credit cards are NOT accepted.
Once the license is issued you must wait a period of 24-hours before holding the ceremony. The marriage license is good for 60-days from the date of issuance.
One-Day Marriage Officiant License
Beginning March 28, 2023, any person eighteen years of age and over can solemnize a marriage ceremony in New York State after obtaining a One-Day Marriage Officiant License from the Office of the City Clerk. A One-Day Marriage Officiant does not have to be a resident of the City of Watervliet or New York State. +
A One-Day Marriage Officiant has the authority to solemnize a marriage anywhere in New York State; however, in order to solemnize a marriage ceremony using a marriage license issued from the City of Watervliet Clerk’s office, the One-Day Marriage Officiant must also apply to the City of Watervliet City Clerk’s office.
The fee for the issuance of a One-Day Marriage Officiant License is $25, payable by cash or check made out to the City of Watervliet. Each applicant must complete an application form listing the One-Day Marriage Officiant’s name, date of birth, address, email address and telephone number. The application form must also include the names, dates of birth and addresses of the parties to be married as such information appears on their application for a marriage license. T
Personal appearance is not required. A completed and notarized One-Day Marriage Officiant License application may be mailed along with a $25 check payable to the City of Watervliet and a photocopy of the applicant’s proper identification to:
Dave Wheatley, City Clerk
2 15th Street
Watervliet, NY 12189
To schedule an in-person appointment please contact the clerk’s office at 518-270-3800 ext. 115.
A One-Day officiant license is only valid for the parties to be married as stated on the application and expires upon the completion of such solemnization or the expiration of the related marriage license, whichever is earlier. An application for the One-Day Officiant license may only be submitted after the parties to be married have obtained their marriage license.
Not unlike any other marriage officiant, a One-Day Officiant’s obligation is not limited to presiding over the marriage ceremony. The One-Day Marriage Officiant must ensure the various parties sign the appropriate places and return the completed marriage license, with the One-Day Marriage Officiant license attached to the City of Watervliet City Clerk’s office within five days of performing a marriage ceremony.
Certified Copy of Marriage License
A copy of your marriage license is on file in the municipal clerk’s office from which it was purchased. This may not be the municipality in which you were married, living or working in at the time. A marriage license purchased in New York State can be used anywhere in New York State.
You can download the application form or you can visit the City Clerk’s office in person to obtain a copy.
Once completed you can either bring the copy to the City Clerk’s office in City Hall or mail the form, along with a check for the correct amount as indicated on the second page of the form. The check should be made out to the City of Watervliet and mailed to the following address:
Watervliet City Clerk
2 15th Street
Watervliet, NY 12189
If you are submitting this form via mail or email, you must include a photocopy of your driver’s license. If your license DOES NOT have your correct mailing address your signature must be notarized on the application before you submit.