Getting Married in NYC: From Applying to Marriage License to Receiving a Marriage Certificate
Getting married in NYC can be both exciting and overwhelming, so here’s a step-by-step guide, as told by a New York wedding photographer who has photographed many, many different couples tying the knot.
[Note: If you are an adventurous non-U.S. citizen planning to get married in NYC, see my guide to getting married in NYC as a foreigner.]
1. Where and How to Apply For a Marriage License in NYC
The first step to getting married in NYC is to obtain an New York marriage license. If you want to get your license in NYC, couples can schedule an online or in-person marriage license appointment via Project Cupid. New appointments are released three weeks out on Mondays, 9am EST sharp. Note, however, that you can get a marriage license from any Marriage Bureau in New York state, not just New York City; you’ll need to call individual City Clerk’s Offices to inquire about their process.
Before your appointment, you will also need to fill out an online form with your personal details (e.g. names, address, etc.).
Head to the City Clerk’s Office at your appointment time. The Manhattan branch is located at 141 Worth St., but each borough has a Marriage Bureau (addresses of all locations). The Manhattan branch is open Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 3:45pm, so plan accordingly.
What to bring: Both spouses must bring government-issued photo IDs that show your photo, name, date of birth (you must be 18 or older to get married in the U.S.) and address, such as a passport or driver’s license. You can check their list of accepted IDs.
Cost: NYC marriage licenses cost $35, and can be paid via credit card or money order. Note that the cash is not accepted.
Expiration: NYC marriage licenses expire after 60 days, so you need get married in that timeframe in order to use the license. However, you must also wait at least a full 24 hours after the marriage license is issued to get married.
NYC Marriage Bureau Locations
Manhattan Marriage Bureau
Location: The NYC City Clerk’s Office is located at 141 Worth St., New York, NY 10013
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am – 3:45pm
Brooklyn Marriage Bureau:
Location: The Brooklyn City Clerk’s Office is located in the Brooklyn Municipal Building at 210 Joralemon Street, Room 205, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Queens Marriage Bureau:
Location: The Queens City Clerk’s Office is in the Borough Hall Building at 120-55 Queens Boulevard, Ground Floor, Room G-100, Kew Gardens, NY 11424
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am – 3:45pm
Bronx Marriage Bureau:
Location: The Bronx City Clerk’s Office is located within the Supreme Court Building at 851 Grand Concourse, Room B131, Bronx, NY 10451
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
State Island Marriage Bureau
Location: The Staten Island City Clerk’s Office is located in the Borough Hall Building at 10 Richmond Terrace, Room 311, (please enter at the entrance located at the intersection of Hyatt Street and Stuyvesant Place), Staten Island, NY 10301
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
2. How to Get Married in NYC
If eloping in New York, you will need a New York City wedding officiant to perform the ceremony and complete the paperwork, as well as a witness to sign. Most officiants will work with you to customize a ceremony exactly to your specifications. After the ceremony, the officiant will mail your signed paperwork back to the City Clerk’s Office. You will receive your marriage certificate in the mail.
If you’re looking for something with speedier turnaround, the fastest way to get married in New York is have an NYC City Hall wedding. In addition to booking your marriage license appointment, you will also need to book your ceremony appointment. Just like with license appointments, ceremony appointments are released Mondays at 9am EST, 3 weeks out.
When it’s time for your ceremony, arrive at Marriage Bureau with your documentation and be ready to queue up, as there are no reservations. Bring your wedding license, your government-issued photo ID, and a credit card to pay for the ceremony ($25). You will also need at least one witness, but you can have up to two, and you’ll all fill out and sign the marriage license in front of the Clerk. And yes, if you hire me as your photographer, I am more than happy to act as your witness. The ceremony itself lasts about a minute, but you are left in the room for another minute or two for photos.
3. Receive Your New York City Marriage Certificate
If you get married at the City Clerk’s Office, you will receive your marriage certificate right after the ceremony.
If you have a ceremony outside of the City Clerk’s office, you will receive your certificate in the mail in approximately 20 days from the date when they receive the Marriage License from your Marriage Officiant and process it.
If you have not received your Certificate of Marriage Registration within a month of your ceremony, you should contact the Office of the City Clerk where you obtained your Marriage License.
