Genealogy Search

The City of Watertown’s birth, death and marriage records date back to 1883. Uncertified copies of birth, death and marriage records may be provided for genealogical research purposes under the following circumstances:

The person to whom the record relates to is known to be deceased.
Birth record must have been on file for at least 75 years
Death record must have been on file for at least 50 years
Marriage record must have been on file for at least 50 years
Time periods may be waived if the applicant is a descendant and provides documentation of the direct line of descent

General Instructions

Complete the Genealogy Application Form
Include a copy of your Photo ID
Include proof of the direct line of descent if necessary
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope
Send a money order payable to the “City Clerk” per the fee schedule below
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

Genealogy Fee Schedule

The fee is for each name and/or type of record requested. For example, the fee for a request consisting of one birth record (3-year search for $22.00), plus one death record (3-year search for $22.00), plus one marriage record (3-year search for $22.00) is a total of $66.00.

The fee is for each name and/or type of record requested. If your request yields no results, we will issue a No Record Certification and the fee is not refunded.

Standard search:

This includes a three (3) year search and the fee is $22.00 per copy.

Long search:

If you do not know the approximate year of the event and a more than a three-year search is requested, the fee for each record request is according to the following schedule.

1 - 3 years….$22 31 - 40 years….$102
4 - 10 years….$42 41 - 50 years….$122
11 - 20 years….$62 51 - 60 years….$142
21 - 30 years….$82 61 - 70 years….$162