Are you getting married in New York City? If so, congratulations! Getting married is a beautiful, joyous occasion. But before you can say “I do,” there’s one crucial step you must take care of first: obtaining a marriage license.
Acquiring a marriage license in NYC is a pretty straightforward process. This blog post will walk you through everything you need to know, step by step, so you can quickly get your marriage license. Let’s get started!
Go to the Local City Clerk’s Office
To get married in New York City, first, you’ll need to visit the City Clerk’s website, Project Cupid.
To make an appointment beforehand. Because of Covid, there is still an option to schedule a virtual meeting for marriage license processing; however, no walk-in appointments are allowed. It’s essential to note that all marriage license applications must be made in the borough you reside and will be going through the City Clerk’s Office for processing. You may find the below local offices for the five boroughs in NYC:
Bronx Office Hours: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday
Supreme Court Building
851 Grand Concourse, Room B131
Bronx, NY 10451
https://goo.gl/maps/JV4Giu6ZQFD9fc2y9
Brooklyn Office Hours: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday
Brooklyn Municipal Building
210 Joralemon Street, Room 205
Brooklyn, NY 11201
https://goo.gl/maps/8gkpxV4XTfBAJStJ7
Manhattan Office
Marriage Bureau Hours: 8:30 am to 3:45 pm, Monday through Friday
Lobbying Bureau Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday Through Friday
(Walk-in hours until 3:45 pm)
141 Worth Street
New York, NY 10013
https://goo.gl/maps/7gPQQK5Xzcyonqzx5
Queens Office Hours: 8:30 am to 3:45 pm, Monday through Friday
Borough Hall Building
120-55 Queens Boulevard, Ground Floor, Room G-100
Kew Gardens, NY 11424
https://goo.gl/maps/crdF26Zq7hiSp4mt8
Staten Island Office Hours: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday
Borough Hall Building
10 Richmond Terrace, Room 311 (please enter at the entrance located at the intersection of Hyatt Street and Stuyvesant Place).
Staten Island, NY 10301
https://goo.gl/maps/bWAXKi5XkTL726Co9
Bring identification for both partners
Before heading to your appointment, ensure you have the proper identification – both partners should have a valid driver’s license, passport, or birth certificate. Having the necessary identification is vital to obtaining a marriage license in New York City and avoiding any potential delays. Upon arrival at the Marriage Bureau, present your Identification cards, as that is required upon request from either partner. Check with your local county clerk on whether or not additional forms of identification are needed alongside your primary document. With all your requirements sorted out, getting a marriage license in New York City will seem manageable!
Fill out the marriage license application
When filling out the marriage license application form in New York City, it’s crucial to complete it truthfully and accurately. Please do so to avoid serious complications such as long processing times, incorrect data being recorded, or even legal issues. Therefore, you should complete the form and ensure that all information is accurate and up-to-date. Additionally, remember that providing incomplete information may result in your application not being accepted or completed. As such, it is always a good idea to be thorough and ensure that every required field on the application is filled out correctly before submission.
Pay the required fee
Now that you have gathered all the necessary documents required to apply for a marriage license in New York City, the next step is to pay the fee. The fee varies depending on whether you would like an uncertified or certified version of the license – usually between $35 and $65. It is possible to pay with cash, but it is more convenient to bring a credit or debit card to make the payment easily. Whether paying by cash, or credit/debit card, ensure all relevant payment information is accurate so as not to delay processing your application any further.
24 hours waiting window
After you and your partner have applied for a marriage license in New York City, you must wait at least 24 hours before the license is ready for pickup at the City Clerk’s office. Once issued, the license becomes active, and couples may begin their planning. Instead of returning to the City Clerk’s office after your ceremony to submit the license, hiring a wedding officiant can simplify the process. Your officiant will not only perform the ceremony but also handle all the necessary paperwork, including mailing the completed license on your behalf. This means you can enjoy peace of mind knowing everything is taken care of, and your official marriage certificate will arrive directly to you without the hassle of making an extra trip. Plan ahead by hiring an experienced officiant to ensure your wedding day is seamless and stress-free!
Get married within 60 days
It’s essential to understand that if you get your marriage license in New York City, it will only be valid for 60 days after the date of issuance (except for active military personnel, for whom the validity runs for 180 days). It’s important to plan around this time frame, set your wedding date, and ensure all documents are taken care of within this window. Anything after the 60-day period would require you to get another license and restart the process. This can be an expensive inconvenience for couples who have already started making plans, so make sure to plan accordingly, or else it could be a costly mistake!
Pursuing a marriage license in New York City is straightforward as long as you know which steps to take. Be sure to go to the correct borough office, bring identification for both partners, and complete the form honestly. Marriage licenses cost $35, either by cash or credit card, and are valid for 60 days. After 24 hours have passed, you may pick up your license. Now all that’s left to do is plan the wedding! Check out my ultimate guide to hiring a wedding officiant.
