A New York City marriage license is a marriage license issued by the New York City Marriage Bureau of the Office of the City Clerk, located at 1 Centre Street in downtown Manhattan.
A New York City marriage license is a legal requirement for a wedding in the state of New York.
The marriage license costs $35.
Legal
- A New York City marriage license is valid for 60 days.
- A New York State marriage license may be used within New York State only.
- If both applicants are 18 years of age or older, parental consent is not required.
- If either applicant has been married before, they may need to bring an original or certified copy of the legal paperwork dissolving the wedding (Decree of Divorce or a Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage)
- Same-sex weddings are not legal in the state of New York.
- A wedding ceremony can't take place within 24 hours from the exact time that the license was issued.
- When both applicants are 16 years of age or older, the 24-hour waiting period may be waived by an order of a justice of the Supreme Court or a judge of the County Court of the county in which either the bride or groom resides.
- If either person is under 16 years of age, the order must be from the Family Court judge of the county in which the person under 16 years of age resides.
Process
The process of getting a New York City marriage license takes about half an hour, if there are not long lines:
- You will fill out application on a computer
- The computer will print out a number ticket
- Wait and sit until your number is called
- Agent will ask for your id, ask if you have been married and type information
- You pay for the license, sign and it will be printed out.
Tips
- The Marriage Bureau opens at 8:30 a.m. Show up early... lines get considerably longer by 9:00 am.
- The Office of the City Clerk has metal detectors. Don't bring any knives or guns to the Marriage Bureau.
- The bride and groom must come together.
- The fee for a Marriage License is $35 by credit card or money order payable to the City Clerk. Checks and cash are not accepted.
- IDs are required from both bride and groom. A driver's license will suffice.
- The license form requires each applicant to list previous marriages. If you haven't discussed previous marriages and/or divorces with your future spouse, it may be a good idea to do so before going to the Marriage Bureau.
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