A Guide to Marriage Licenses in NYC

It’s elopement time baby!

So you’ve decided on an NYC elopement and the big celebration is fast approaching, but there’s just one little thing you need to do first — lock in your marriage license! don’t sweat it though, as it’s easy peasy to get your NYC marriage license. We are going to walk you through the process and make it as simple as possible for you.

Quick FAQ-To legally get married in NYC, you need first to obtain a marriage license. It’s something many couples we work with have alot of questions about, so here’s a step-by-step guide to everything you need to know! 

Of course, the Eloping Is Fun team is always here to help if you have any questions.

Gather your paperwork

Wait, what exactly is a marriage license and do we need one?

Good question — a simple answer: if you want your marriage to be legally recognized, then yes, you need a marriage license. A marriage license is a government document that authorizes you to legally get married, so it’s something you need to obtain before your ceremony. Getting the license doesn’t mean you’re already married — think of it as a legal permit that allows you to officially marry.

After you’ve had your ceremony and your paperwork has been filed, you’ll receive a marriage certificate, which is a legal document that proves you’re married to one another.

And what if you’re thinking, that’s cool, but we just want our elopement to be symbolic, can we do that? Definitely! If you don’t want your elopement to be legally binding, then you don’t need an NYC marriage license — the choice is totally up to you.

Okay, to get your marriage license, it’s best to start by gathering everything you need ahead of time. The Office of the City Clerk, NYC Marriage Bureau oversees marriage licenses. And, like any good bureaucracy, they’ll need some proof of ID and documents to verify who you both are.

To save the hassle of running around and looking for them, try to get everything that you’ll need for your application together. First, each person must have proof of ID . A wide range of documents are accepted, including a driver’s license from any US state, IDNYC, an active US Military ID card, an overseas passport, a US permanent resident card or a non-driver identification card.

Been married before? In that case, you’ll also need to provide proof that you’re no longer married, such as evidence of the divorce finalization.

Apply for your license either online or in-person

Next, it’s time to make a move and submit your application. The good news is that this can be done online or in person. Online is the quickest way, but there’s something kinda romantic and old school about going to the office together to put in your application — you can combine it with a celebratory dinner to kick off the celebrations! Both options essentially work the same way, but here’s a rundown of the process.

How to apply for a marriage license in NYC in-person

You can apply for your license in person at one of the several City Clerk offices throughout the city. Important — you can’t just show up, as walk-ins are no longer accepted. You need to have an appointment, or you’ll be outta luck.

How do I get a marriage license appointment in NYC? It’s super easy. Just book your appointment online through the NYC Cupid website. There are offices in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and the Bronx, so select your preferred location, and a drop-down booking calendar will pop up.

Before your marriage license NYC appointment, you can complete the paperwork online and bring it with you on the day, or you can complete all the paperwork in person once you get there.

How to apply for a marriage license in NYC online

You can apply for your New York state marriage license online through the City Clerk Online. The paperwork is available in several languages.

Once your form is ready, you can book an appointment for a virtual marriage license appointment via NYC Cupid. This was mega-popular during the pandemic, but the virtual option is still in use for couples who don’t want to go in-person. 

You and your fiancé will both need to be present in the same room for your virtual appointment. Once your appointment is complete, you will receive your license immediately. Your license is ready to use 24 hours after you receive it. For your virtual appointment the City Clerk stipulates that you both must be in “NYC” but don’t worry even if you get an appointment before you arrive in the city, please tell them you are in NYC and make sure to go on VPN so that your location is not detected or they will not allow you in the virtual meeting! 😉 just get that license baby!

Both parties must be present at the appointment (After all, you’re both getting married!)

Pay the marriage license fee

Yep, no surprise here, but there’s a license fee required to submit your application. Luckily, it’s a small one (so there’ll be plenty of money left in the budget for partying — score!). The current fee is $35, payable by credit card or money order, with money orders made out to the City Clerk.

How long does it take to get a marriage license in NYC?

Not long at all — you will receive your license at your appointment.

For office appointments, you’ll be given a hard copy of your license, but for virtual appointments, a copy of your marriage certificate from NYC’s City Clerk will be available straight after as a PDF you can download.

Either way, give it a quick once over to make sure all of the details are correct, such as the spelling of your names. You can now officially elope … in 24 hours.

Why wait? Well, it’s actually a legal requirement. Keep in mind that, after receiving your license, there’s a 24-hour waiting period before you can get married (except in super rare cases where the courts make an exception). This is important to remember for couples coming in from out of town for just a few days. If you’re eloping as part of a weekend away or holiday, aim to get your license on your first day in the city.

Your shiny new license is valid for 60 days, so you need to get married within that time (or apply for a new license if it expires). However, if one or both parties are active military personnel, the time period is extended, so you have up to 180 days.

Do the damn thing. It’s time to elope!

Visiting from outta town? No worries, we’re happy to act as a witness on your behalf

Elope in private from your epic hotel suite, say your vows at the Top of the Rock, or find a quiet place in Central Park — it’s your day, so go with what feels right for you. 

Whatever crazy fun elopement idea you’re dreaming up, our team can make it happen!

Final Step, we will file THE PAPERWORK FOR YOUR MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE

Hopefully, you’ve now celebrated well into the night, hell, and into the next few days too, while the Eloping is Fun team takes care of the one final step in the marriage license process.

Once the ceremony is complete, we will submit the completed license, signed by you, your partner and your witness, so that you can get your marriage record or marriage certificate. This is an official state document that verifies you’re both legally married to one another.

Your certificate will then be mailed to you, but if by any chance you misplace it in the future, no dramas — , you can always order a replacement copy from the City of NY, and we can help. 

This certificate will officially acknowledge your marriage throughout the US, not just in New York state. However, if you’re from overseas, your country might have additional requirements to verify an overseas marriage, so it’s always best to check ahead of time so you’re prepared. Your consulate or embassy will be able to advise.

FAQ’s

When should you get your marriage license in New York?
You need, at an absolute minimum, to get your license at least 24 hours before your elopement. However, you have up to 60 days to use it, so go ahead and get it in advance.

Can you get married the same day you get your marriage license in New York?
Nope, the days of shotgun weddings are long gone. As mentioned above, all licenses come with a mandatory 24-hour waiting period, so you can’t get your license in the morning and then get married that evening.

How many witnesses do you need to get married in New York?
Just one! That person needs to be over 18, but it can be anyone — a family member, friend, or even your elopement photographer.

Can overseas tourists get a marriage license in NYC?
New York City is truly a city for everyone — and that applies to weddings too! You can elope in NYC, even if you’re just in the country on a tourist visa. However, as mentioned above, you’ll still need to meet all of the requirements to obtain the marriage license first, but the process is still super easy. 

Just note that if your legal government docs are in a language other than English, you may need to provide certified translated copies. We can help with that also.

Who turns in the wedding license to the city?
Normally your officiant will mail your certificate to the NYC marriage bureau for you. You will receive your official NYC marriage certificate at your home address in 6-8 weeks! Some couples want their license back ASAP for a variety of reasons, so you can choose to make another appointment with the clerk, bring your signed marriage license with you in person, and get your official marriage certificate back the same day.

We might be a little biased…

…But NYC is easily the best city to elope in if you’re visiting from overseas! It just oozes fun, charm, and excitement, and there are tons of iconic locations where you can say your vows.

there you go — NYC marriage License 101! As you can see, the process is really not overly complicated, and it’s just a small bit of admin before you get to the good stuff — your amazing elopement!

If you have any questions about eloping in NYC, planning your awesome adventure, or the marriage license process, you know we’ve got your back . The legends at Eloping is Fun are always here to help!