City Clerk's Office

About

The City Clerk's Office is the official record keeper for the Schenectady City Council.

OPENING HOURS

Monday through Friday, 08:00AM - 04:00PM

Marriage Licenses are processed between 09.00AM - 03.00PM

ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF PAYMENT

  • Cash
  • Money Order or Certified Check (Please make payable to Schenectady City Clerk)
  • Mastercard or Visa (valid for in-person payments only)

MAIL REQUESTS

When sending in a form by mail, be sure to include a photocopy of your driver's license or two other forms of identification. 

You must also include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Failure to do so will result in a delay in processing your request until the necessary requirements are met.

Requests can be mailed to:
Schenectady City Clerk
Birth/Death/Marriage Certificate
105 Jay Street
Schenectady, NY 12305



Vital Records

Marriage Licenses

Application Marriage License

Marriage Licenses are issued 09.00AM - 03.00PM, Monday through Friday.

Getting married in New York State is a three-step process:

  1. Obtain a marriage license from a municipal clerk
  2. Have a ceremony (it may be religious or secular), at which the officiant and witnesses sign the license
  3. Return the signed marriage license to the municipal clerk.

A couple who intends to be married in New York State must apply in person for a marriage license to any town or city clerk in the state. The application for a license must be signed by both applicants in the presence of the town or city clerk. A representative cannot apply for the license on behalf of the applicant. This applies even if the representative has been given a Power of Attorney. Notarized marriage license affidavits signed by the applicants cannot be substituted for their personal appearance.

  • Persons must be 18 years old without parental consent.
  • License fee is $40. Cash, certified check, or money orders only, no personal checks accepted.
  • Birth certificate and picture identification required.
  • All previous divorce papers or death certificate of previous spouse are necessary.
  • Licenses are good for 60 days. There is a 24-hour waiting period after the license is issued before the marriage can take place.

Downloads

Request Birth Certificate Copies

Copy of Birth Record
  • Person must be 18 years old. Only the individual themselves or their parents are entitled to a copy of the birth certificate. 
  • You must show photo identification to receive a copy of a birth certificate. If applying by mail, you must include a photocopy of your driver's license or two other forms of identification.
  • Copy fee is $10. Cash, certified check, or money order only, no personal checks accepted.
  • Person must have been born in Ellis Hospital, St. Clare’s Hospital or directly in the City of Schenectady.
  • Births after April 1942, if at Bellevue Hospital, are at the Niskayuna Town Hall.

Downloads

Request Marriage Certificate Copies

Copy of Marriage Record
  • Only the individuals themselves are entitled to a copy of the marriage certificate.
  • You must show photo identification to receive a copy of a marriage certificate. If applying by mail, you must include a photocopy of your driver's license or two other forms of identification.
  • Copy fee is $10. Cash, certified check, or money order only, no personal checks accepted.
  • Use this application only if the marriage license was obtained in the City of Schenectady. Most people remember where they were married, but that does not necessarily coincide with where they obtained their marriage license. The office which issues the marriage license is the only place from which you may obtain a certified copy.

Downloads

Request Death Certificate Copies

Copy of Death Certificate
  • Can be obtained by legal spouse, parent, child, sibling over 18 years old or attorney of the deceased.
  • You must show photo identification to receive a copy of a death certificate.
  • Copy fee is $10. Cash, certified check, or money order only, no personal checks accepted.
  • Death must have occurred in Ellis Hospital, St. Clare’s Hospital or directly in the City of Schenectady.

Downloads

Genealogy Services

Genealogy Services
  • Search fee is $22 whether record is found or not. Certified check or money order only, no personal checks accepted. Cash if requests are in person.
  • Death records are kept on file at least 50 years.
  • Marriage and birth records are kept on file at least 75 years. All individuals involved must be deceased.
  • Are the time periods ever waived?
    The time periods are waived for direct-line descendants. A direct line descendant is a person in the direct line of descent, i.e., the child, grandchild, great grandchild of the person whose record is requested. The direct-line descendant applicant must provide the following:
    • Proof of their relationship to the person whose record they are requesting.
    • Proof of the death of the person whose birth certificate they are requesting.
    • Proof of the death of both spouses whose marriage certificate they are requesting.

When sending in your form, you must include a photocopy of your New York State (non-) driver's license and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

  • Forms may be mailed to:
    Schenectady City Clerk
    105 Jay Street, Room 107
    Schenectady, N.Y. 12305

Downloads

Services
Dog Licenses

Licensing Your Dog

The State of New York requires all dogs to be licensed with the City or Town in which they live. Dog owners found to be without a license will be given 21 days to become compliant before facing any fines or penalties.

  • Dog owner must be living in the City of Schenectady.
  • You must show photo identification to register a dog.
  • Persons must be at least 18 years old.
  • Cash or money order only, no personal checks accepted.
LicenseFee
Unaltered Dog$ 20.50
Altered Dog$ 13.50
Senior Citizen - Unaltered Dog*$ 10.50
Senior Citizen - Altered Dog*$ 3.50
Exempt (Proof Required)$ 0.00
Dog Tag Replacement Fee$ 3.00

All fees are effective 01/01/2012 and are not refundable

* A Senior Citizen is considered someone 65 years or older. ID is required

Garage Sale Permit

Garage Sale Permit
  • The permit fee for each Garage Sale of three consecutive days or less is $10.
  • Garage Sales are to take place between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
  • No more than three garage sales at the same premises or by the same person in any one calendar year.
  • There shall be at least 30 days between any sale. No rainchecks issued; all sales are final.
  • The posting of signs or advertising matter on city property, utility poles and/or light poles is prohibited.
  • You and all visitors must abide by COVID-19 Safety Guidelines at all times.

Downloads

Parking Permit for Persons with Severe Disabilities

Parking Permit

You and your healthcare provider can complete the Application for a Parking Permit or License Plates, for Persons with Severe Disabilities (MV-664.1). You can also have your healthcare provides (MD, DO, DPM, or NP) complete a statement on their letterhead. The statement must describe the disabling condition and verify that the disability qualifies according to the law. Please visit DMV's website for more information.

If you live in the City of Schenectady, you may fax or mail the form or statement to our office for issuance. There is no fee for a permit. DMV does not issue parking permits.

When sending in your form, you must include a photocopy of your New York State (non-) driver's license and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

  • Forms may be mailed to:
    Schenectady City Clerk
    105 Jay Street
    Schenectady, NY 12305
  • Fax number: (518) 382-0030