Town Clerk

Marriage License - Intent to Get Married

Notice

We will be scheduling appointments to facilitate obtaining a marriage license. We ask that you complete the marriage worksheet (please DO NOT list your complete social security numbers) and submit it back to us by fax (518) 783-3409 or email Infoclerk@colonie.org.

If you are emailing us the completed marriage worksheet, please scan and email the documents as a PDF attachment format only. No pictures of the documents will be allowed.

Once we receive the complete documents, we will contact you to schedule an appointment. At this time, you must email or fax your documents in order to get an appointment.

Step

Before you get started

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 within New York State. It is not required for you to apply for a marriage license in the municipality in which you reside.

The application for a license must be signed by both partners in the presence of the Clerk.
There are no blood tests required.
If both parties are 18 years of age or older, no written parental or judicial consent is required.

Step

Review the marriage license worksheet

Review the marriage license worksheet to prepare for application. Both parties must appear in person at the Town Clerk's office.

Middle and/or Surname Option(s)

Every person has the right to adopt any name by which he or she wishes to be known simply by using that name consistently and without intent to defraud. A person’s last Name (surname) does not automatically change upon marriage, and neither party to the marrige must change his or her last name. Parties to a marriage need not have the same last name.

One or both parties to a marriage may elect to change the surname by which he or she wishes to be known after the solemnization of the marriage by entering the new name in the appropriate space on the marrige license. The new name shall consist of one of the following surnames:

the surname of the other spouse; or
any former surname of either spouse; or
a name combining into a single surname all or a segment of the premarriage surname or any former surname of each spouce, or
a combination name separated by a hyphen or space, provided that each part of such combination surname is the premarriage surname, or any former surname, of each of the spouses.

In addition, one or both parties to a marriage may elect to change the middle name by which he or she wishes to be known after the solemnization of the marriage by entering the new middle name in the appropriate space on the marriage licsense. The new middle name shall consist of one of the following options:

The current surname of the spouse electing to change his or her name;
Any former surname of the spouse electing to change his or her name; or
The surname of the other spouse.

Keep in mind:

The use of this option will provide a record of your change of name. The marriage certificate, containing the new name, if any, is proof that the use of the new name, or the retention of the former name, is lawful. The local Social Security Administration office should be contacted so that its records and your social security identification card reflect the name change. There is no charge for this service.

Whether you decide to use or not use this option at the time of your marriage license application, you still have the right to adopt a different name through usage at some future date. However, your marriage license cannot be changed to record a surname you decide to use after your marriage.

Step

Establish proof of age and identity

Each applicant is required to establish proof of age by submitting one of the following age-related documents:

Original sealed state issued birth certificate or a certified sealed copy (we will not accept the hospital issued certificate)
Baptismal record with date of birth
Naturalization record with date of birth
Census record with date of birth

Each applicant is also required to establish proof of identity by submitting one of the following identity-related documents:

Driver's license
State-issued non-driver photo-ID card
Passport
U.S. Military issued photo ID
Employment photo ID
Immigration record

Very important:

All forms must be legible.
No photocopies will be accepted.
All documents must be understandable by the Clerk; that is, written in English.
If the original document is not written in English, it must be translated by a certified translator.
Each document must be current and either the original (with raised seal) or a certified copy with a raised seal.

Step

Previous Marriages

If either or both members of a couple are applying for a marriage license for a second or subsequent marriage, certified information regarding the previous marriage(s) must be furnished at the time of application. This includes proof of dissolution of "ALL" the prior marriage(s) by either:

divorce decrees or
death certificates.

Step

Apply for marriage license

In order for your marriage license to be processed, you must meet the following requirements:

Both parties to this marriage must appear in-person at the Town Clerk’s Office to sign the license before it can be issued.
Submit proof of identity, age and previous marriages (if applicable).
Pay a $40 non-refundable fee. This fee includes the license and original certificate of marriage.

Keep in mind:

Although the marriage license is issued immediately, it has a New York State mandated 24-hour waiting period before it can be used and is valid for 59 days thereafter.
A New York State marriage license may be used within New York State only.
The person performing your ceremony needs to complete the license and return it to the Town of Colonie to have your marriage registered. Typically we would mail out your marriage certificate the same day your completed marriage license is received.

Getting married in the Town of Colonie

To be valid, a marriage ceremony must be performed by any of the individuals specified in Section 11 of the New York State Domestic Relations Law. These include:

a Marriage Officer appointed by the Town Board.
- Kathleen Torrey – Office: (518) 783-2717
a Town Justice. They are:
- Hon. Norman Massry – (518) 317-5655 | Office: (518) 783-2714
- Hon. Andrew Sommers – (518) 783-2714
a justice or judge of most courts in New York State;
a member of the clergy or minister who has been officially ordained and granted authority to perform marriage ceremonies;
a member of the clergy or minister who is not authorized by a governing church body but who has been chosen by a spiritual group to preside over their spiritual affairs;
other officiants as specified by Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Laws.

IMPORTANT:
All forms MUST be legible.
No photocopies.

Need to know:
There is a non-refundable $40 fee to apply for a marriage license.

Need a copy of a marriage certificate?
See the Marriage Certificate page.

Contact

(518) 783-2734

Email Us

Memorial Town Hall
First Floor
534 New Loudon Road
Latham, NY 12110