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New York · How-To Guide

How do I get a marriage license?

City or Town Clerk (municipal level) / NYC City Clerk (for the five boroughs of New York City)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Both applicants must appear together in person at any New York city or town clerk's office; a representative CANNOT apply on behalf of either party even with Power of Attorney; notarized affidavits cannot substitute for personal appearance
  2. Complete the marriage license application; both applicants sign in the presence of the clerk
  3. Pay the fee; license is issued immediately
  4. MANDATORY 24-HOUR WAITING PERIOD: The marriage ceremony may NOT take place until 24 hours after the EXACT TIME the license was issued; plan accordingly
  5. Waiver: Only a justice of the New York Supreme Court, a county judge (of the county where either party resides), or a Family Court judge (if at least one party is 17+) may waive the 24-hour period
  6. License valid for 60 calendar days from the day after it is issued (active military: 180 days)
  7. Hold ceremony within 60 days; at least 1 witness must attend and sign
  8. Officiant returns completed license to the issuing clerk; the clerk automatically sends a Certificate of Marriage Registration to the couple within 15 calendar days
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Valid ID proving name and age (driver's license, passport, birth certificate, or other government ID; some clerks may request birth certificate for ages under 21)
  • Social Security numbers for both applicants (or visa numbers for non-citizens)
  • Parents' full names and places of birth for each applicant
  • If previously married: disclose; may need to provide certified copy of divorce decree (especially if recently divorced) or death certificate; check with your specific clerk
  • Both must be 18 or older (if under 18 but at least 17: must have written parental consent AND judicial approval from a family court; marriage prohibited for those under 17)
Waiting Period
The marriage ceremony may NOT take place until 24 hours after the EXACT TIME the license was issued; plan accordingly Waiver: Only a justice of the New York Supreme Court, a county judge (of the county where either party resides), or a Family Court judge (if at least one party is 17+) may waive the 24-hour period Step 5 - License valid for 60 calendar days from the day after it is issued (active military: 180 days) Step 6 - Hold ceremony within 60 days; at least 1 witness must attend and sign Step 7 - Officiant returns completed license to the issuing clerk; the clerk automatically sends a Certificate of Marriage Registration to the couple within 15 calendar days
Online Option
No statewide online application; some city/town clerks may have downloadable forms; must appear in person
Where to Go
Any New York city or town clerk (outside NYC); NYC City Clerk's Office for any of the five NYC boroughs
New York Notes

Important state-specific details

  • 24-hour mandatory waiting period - accounts from exact time of issuance; if issued at 2 PM Tuesday, cannot marry until 2 PM Wednesday.
  • No blood test required.
  • No residency requirement - apply at any NY city/town clerk; license valid statewide.
  • 60-day validity - relatively short; plan accordingly.
  • 1 witness required.
  • Certificate of Marriage Registration automatically mailed to couple.
  • NYC marriage records: do NOT contact NYSDOH for NYC borough records; contact NYC City Clerk.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
NYSDOH (marriages outside NYC): health.ny.gov/vital_records | (855) 322-1022; NYC City Clerk: cityclerk.nyc.gov | (212) 639-9675; NYS Marriage info: ny.gov/services/get-married-new-york-state