Step by Step Guide to Obtain Marriage License in New York City

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 available to be picked up at the City Clerk’s office. It is important to take note of this timeline as the license becomes active 24 hours after it has been issued; therefore, couples should wait to pick up their license. Appointments with the City Clerk’s office are only necessary if you are having a court-officiated ceremony or would like to expedite the process by skipping the 24-hour window entirely. Make sure you plan accordingly and stay on schedule to ensure no delays on your special day!

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!

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