How to Get an Extended Marriage Certificate in NYC
Wondering how to get an extended marriage certificate in NYC? Wondering if you need to get an extended marriage certificate in NYC? If you’re a foreigner getting married in New York City, you will need to get an extended marriage certificate within five days of getting married in New York to have your U.S. marriage be legal back in your home country.
Here’s the step-by-step process to get an extended marriage certificate in NYC:
1. Determine if you need an extended marriage license in your country
Per the Department of State, if you are a non-U.S. citizen getting married in New York, you will need additional authentication from the New York Secretary of State for your marriage license to be valid in your home country. This additional authentication produces an extended marriage certificate, which will include additional personal information like the names and places of birth for your parents, the names of your witnesses and the number of any previous marriages you may have had.
Your home country determines whether this additional authentication is in the form of an “Apostille” or a “Certificate of Authentication.” Both are the same process. I have heard that some countries, such as the UK, do not “need” the extended form, but I highly recommend getting in just in case (or at minimum inquiring with your embassy to confirm).
2. Get an extended marriage certificate from the NYC City Clerk’s Office
After getting married in NYC, return to the New York City Clerk’s Office (141 Worth Street) with your standard “short” marriage certificate and government photo ID. Complete an extended certificate request form, take it to the Records Room, and pay $35 for a certified and signed extended marriage certificate with a raised seal.
3. Get the extended marriage certificate notarized and certified
Take the extended certificate to the County Clerk Office (60 Centre Street, Room 14-B), located within the Supreme Court Building, to authenticate the City Clerk’s hand signature. Here you’ll have the extended marriage certificate notarized, then certified by the County Clerk at the Notary Public Desk for $3, payable by cash.
4. Get a money order to pay the Apostille
Next, you’ll need to go get a money order to pay for the apostille. The closest place to do so is the Duane Reade pharmacy (305 Broadway), where you can get a $10 money order (plus an additional $1 processing fee).
5. Have your extended certificate authenticated by an Apostille
Take your newly notarized and certified certificate to the New York State Department of State (123 William Street, 19th floor) for authentication of the County Clerk’s signature and the attachment of an apostille. You will pay with the $10 money order.
This is your finished NYC extended marriage certificate that will be valid in your home country.
What if I wasn’t able to do this in person? Can I get an NYC extended marriage certificate by mail?
I always recommend that my couples save a few hours to get their extended license the day after their wedding in person, solely because it’s a lot more work by postal mail. However, if you’re in the circumstance where you absolutely can’t do it in person, yes, you can do it by postal mail:
1. Mail your original New York marriage certificate, a pre-paid self-addressed envelope, a letter saying that you want to get your marriage certificate notarized and certified in order for you to get it authenticated by an Apostille, and a $3 money order, cashier’s check, or certified check payable to NY County Clerk to:
New York County Clerk
60 Centre Street, Room 161
New York, NY 10007
USA
They will then mail the certified authorization of your marriage certificate within 5 weeks.
2. When your certified marriage certificate is returns, send a completed Apostille request form, a pre-paid self-addressed envelope, and mail to:
Division of Licensing Services
Apostille and Authentication Unit
P.O. Box 22001
Albany, NY 12201-2001
USA
You should receive your apostilled NYC extended marriage certificate within 6 weeks.