City Clerk/Registrar's Office

The City Clerk/Registrar's Office has records of all births and deaths which have occurred within the City of Kingston, as well as marriage licenses obtained within the City of Kingston, dating back to July of 1881.

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***THE CITY CLERK AND REGISTRAR'S OFFICE IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 8:00 AM -4:30 PM MONDAY -FRIDAY  CALL 845-334-3914  IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS***

*Please Note: The City Clerk and Registrar's Office will process walk-in requests no later than 4:15PM. During the months of July and August, no later than 3:45PM.

How to obtain a record: 

Birth: You may apply in person during regular business hours; or send a letter stating name, date of birth, father's name, mother's maiden name, reason for request and relationship to the person whose record is requested *. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope, a photo copy of one of the IDs listed below and a $10 money order payable to City of Kingston. 

You must present one form from the following list of acceptable IDs: 

1. Valid Driver's license 
2. Valid Non-Driver's License 
3. Current Passport 
4. Naturalization Papers 
5. Military ID 
6. Current Employer's Photo ID 
7. One recent utility bill and one Government issued piece of mail showing applicants name and address (birth certificate must be mailed to listed address)
8. Police report of lost or stolen ID

*Please Note: Persons eligible to receive a copy of a birth certificate are the person themselves, a parent listed on the birth certificate or a guardian with a certified custody order.

Death: You may apply in person during regular business hours; or write a letter stating the name of the deceased, date of death, reason for your request and your relationship to the person whose record is requested*.   Enclose a photocopy of proper ID as described above, a self-addressed, stamped envelope and a $10.00 money order payable to City of Kingston.

*Please Note: Persons eligible to receive death certificates are the parents, siblings, spouse and children of the deceased.  All others must show documentation of a lawful right or claim. Proof of lawful right or claim would consist of an official letter verifying that in order to process a lawful document or claim, they require a copy of the requested death record.

Marriage Licenses are issued Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 3:30 pm.  The cost is $40 payable in cash or money order. To apply, both individuals must be present and each must bring: an original or certified birth certificate (hospital birth certificates and photo copies are not acceptable), as well as a valid driver's license, passport or non-driver ID card and social security number. If there have been any prior marriages, divorce papers and/or death certificates must be provided for each and every previous marriage. Please note: there is a 24-hour waiting period before the license may be legally used, and it expires after 60 days. **MARRIAGE LICENSES ARE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY** 

       ***Marriage License Fee is waived for all ACTIVE military***

To obtain a license as a One Day Marriage Officiant please see application link below

Application

Certified Copies of Marriage Record are $10 cash or money order (if originally registered in Kingston City Clerk's Office). Requests by mail must be made in a letter and include: name of groom, maiden name of bride, date of original marriage, reason for request, a copy of acceptable photo ID (as described above) and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Only the parties of the marriage are eligible to receive a copy of their marriage record.

Genealogical Research

Uncertified copies or abstracts from records of birth, death, and marriage may be provided for genealogical research purposes subject to the restrictions specified in this summary. All requests must be submitted in writing and include the record you are seeking, name of the individual(s), date of event (birth, death, marriage), reason for your request and your relationship to the person whose record is requested, if any.   Enclose a photocopy of proper ID as described above, a self-addressed, stamped envelope and the applicable money order payable to City of Kingston.

The applicant shall be required to pay the specified fee for the time spent for the search and uncertified copy of notification of no record, as outlined below.

Genealogy Fee Schedule

Fee schedule per one spelling of name. Fee varies depending on requested number of years to be searched, as follows: 

1-3 Years $22.00 
4-10 Years $42.00  
11-20 Years $62.00 
21-30 Years $82.00 
31-40 Years $102.00 
41-50 Years $122.00 
51-60 Years $142.00 
61-70 Years $162.00 
Etc… +$20.00 increments

The following provisions apply, as mandated by the New York State Health Department:

a. No information shall be released from a record of birth which has been placed in a confidential file pursuant to Public Health Law Section 4138. 

b. No information shall be released from a record of birth unless the record has been on file for at least 75 years and the person to whom the record relates is known to the applicant to be deceased. 

c. No information shall be released from a record of death unless the record has been on file for at least 50 years.

d. No information shall be released from a record of marriage unless the record has been on file for at least 50 years and the parties to the marriage are known to the applicant to be deceased. 

e. The time periods specified in (3B), (3C) and (3D) are waived if the applicant is a descendant or has been designated to act on behalf of a descendant of the person whose record is being requested. A descendant is a person in the direct line of descent. The applicant shall provide documentation of descendancy prior to the release of information in those instances where a waiver of the waiting period is requested. A party acting on behalf of a descendant shall further provide documentation that the descendant authorized the party to make such application. 

f. All uncertified copies, abstracts, or information issued for genealogical research purposes shall be clearly marked with the statement "For Genealogical Purposes Only."

Dog Licenses are $18.00 for unspayed/unneutered dogs, $9.00 for spayed/neutered dogs. Copy of current rabies certificate is required as well as copy of spay/neuter certificate, where applicable.

Bingo and Games of Chance Licenses (application required) Call 845-334-3919 for details.

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