The City Clerk issues certified copies of birth and death certificates for those that occurred in the City of Watertown and marriage certificates for marriage licenses purchased at the Watertown City Clerk’s Office.
Requests can be made by mail, through the City Hall Drop Box, in person or through the internet. The office does not accept requests through email.
Entitlement
Who can obtain a copy of a Birth Certificate?
Birth Certificates are entitled to the following:
- The person named on the birth certificate, if 18 years of age or older
- A parent named on the birth certificate
- A child’s legal guardian, with proper documentation showing guardianship
- A person with a New York State court order
Who can obtain a copy of a Death Certificate?
Death Certificates are entitled to the following:
- The spouse, parent, child or sibling of the deceased
- An executor or executrix of an estate, with proper documentation
- A person with a documented lawful right or claim, with proper documentation
- For example, you may need a death certificate to claim a benefit or as a beneficiary or joint account holder. You would need an official letter from the agency stating the reason the death record is needed and the certified death certificate will be sent directly to the third party.
- An attorney representing someone who is authorized to obtain a death certificate
- Request must be on the attorney’s letterhead and include the decedent’s name, date of death, who the attorney represents, how the person named on the death certificate relates to the legal matter and the reason the copy is required.
- A person with a New York State court order
Who can obtain a copy of a Marriage Certificate?
Marriage Certificates are entitled to the following:
- Either one of the spouses listed on marriage record
- A person with a New York State court order
Required Forms of Identifications
- Driver's license
- State-issued, nondriver photo-ID card
- Passport
- U.S. Military-issued, photo-ID
- Two of the following showing the applicant's name and address
• Utility or telephone bill
• Letter from a government agency dated within the last six months
Request Forms
Birth Certificate Request Form
Death Certificate Request Form
Marriage Certificate Request Form
Requests By Mail or City Hall Drop Box:
- Complete and sign the appropriate request form (or write as much known information that is requested on the form on a sheet of paper and sign it)
- Include a copy of your Photo ID or other form of identification
- Include the fee of $10 for each certified copy
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope
- Mail to the City Clerk’s Office, 245 Washington Street, Room 101, Watertown, NY 13601 or place in an envelope addressed to the “City Clerk” in the City Hall Drop Box located at the Sterling Street entrance to the building
Requests In Person:
- Bring a completed signed form (or write as much known information that is requested on the form on a sheet of paper and sign it)
- Bring your Photo ID or other form of identification
- Fee is $10 for each certified copy (cash, money order, debit/credit card accepted – additional processing fees for debit/credit card payments)
Requests through the Internet:
Orders can be made online using your credit card through an independent company that we have partnered with to provide this Internet Ordering Service.
Use the following link - https://www.vitalchek.com/vital-records/new-york/watertown-city-clerk
- Fee is $10 for each certified copy along with an additional $7.25 credit card processing fee
- Overnight express shipping is available for an additional fee of $19.50 (this option is not available for a Post Office Box)
- Other internet vendors are not authorized by The Watertown City Clerk and may charge additional fees without providing state-approved services. Neither the Watertown City Clerk nor VitalChek have control over the services and fees these other internet vendors offer, nor can we guarantee the confidentiality of any data provided to vendors other than VitalChek.
