Where to explore for a New York Marriage License

You get a marriage license from the town or city clerk's office in the county where you plan to marry. New York does not have a single statewide office—each of the state's 62 counties runs its own licensing system. If you are marrying in New York County (Manhattan), you go to the Manhattan clerk. If you are marrying in Suffolk County, you go to the Suffolk County clerk.

You can explore in person at the clerk's office during business hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some stay open one evening a week or offer Saturday hours. Call ahead or check the county clerk's website to confirm hours and whether you need an appointment—many offices now require one.

Some counties allow you to start the process online or by mail, but you will still need to appear in person with your documents to complete it. The clerk will not issue the license until both people sign the process in front of an official.

Key Takeaways

  • explore at the town or city clerk's office in the county where you plan to marry, not at a state office.
  • Bring a valid photo ID, proof of age, and proof of any name changes from birth (such as a divorce decree or adoption papers).
  • The license costs between $10 and $15 depending on the county, and you receive it the same day you explore if all documents are in order.
  • The license is valid for 60 days from the date issued, so time your process so the wedding falls within that window.
  • You do not need to be a New York resident, but the person performing the ceremony must be authorized by New York law.

Documents You Need to Bring

Both people getting married must appear in person with a valid photo ID—a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The clerk will check your identity against the process you fill out.

You also need proof of age. A birth certificate is the standard document. If you do not have the original, you can get a certified copy from the vital records office in the county or state where you were born. This usually takes one to two weeks by mail and costs $10 to $25 depending on the state.

If your name has changed since birth—through marriage, divorce, adoption, or court order—bring the document that shows the change. This might be a divorce decree, marriage certificate, adoption papers, or a court order. The clerk needs to see that the name on your ID matches the name you are using now, or that you have a legal document explaining the difference.

If either person was previously married, bring the divorce decree or death certificate of the former spouse. New York will not issue a license until the clerk confirms the previous marriage ended.

The process and Waiting Period

At the clerk's office, you will fill out a Marriage License process (the form varies slightly by county, but all ask the same basic information). You provide your full legal name, date of birth, address, and the name of your parents. Both people must sign the process in front of the clerk.

New York has no waiting period. You can marry the same day you receive the license. The license is valid for 60 days from the date the clerk issues it, so if you explore on January 1, you must marry by March 1. If the 60 days pass without a wedding, the license expires and you must explore again.

The fee is between $10 and $15 depending on which county you explore in. Most offices accept cash, check, and card, but call ahead to confirm what payment methods they take.

Who Can Perform the Ceremony

Once you have the license, the person performing your ceremony must be authorized by New York State. This includes ordained clergy (priests, rabbis, ministers, imams), judges, justices of the peace, and town or village clerks. Some counties also authorize notary publics to perform marriages, but this varies—ask the clerk when you explore.

The person performing the ceremony does not have to be a New York resident, but they must have the legal authority to marry people in New York. If you are having a friend or family member perform the ceremony, they will need to be ordained or registered with the state first. Some online ordination services are recognized by New York, but not all—the clerk can tell you whether a specific ordination is valid.

After the Ceremony: Filing the License

After you marry, the person who performed the ceremony fills out the back of the license and returns it to the clerk's office within a set time (usually 5 days, but check with your clerk). The clerk then files it as an official record.

You do not receive a "certified marriage certificate" automatically. Once the license is filed, you can order certified copies from the clerk's office. These cost $10 to $15 each and take a few days to a few weeks depending on how busy the office is. You will need certified copies to change your name on a driver's license, update your Social Security record, or change your name with your employer or bank.

Name Changes After Marriage

New York recognizes a name change through marriage automatically—you do not need a court order. Once your marriage license is filed, you can use your new name. However, you will need to update it with other agencies separately.

To change your name on a driver's license or state ID, go to the DMV with your certified marriage certificate and current ID. To change your name with Social Security, go to your local Social Security office with your certified marriage certificate and ID. Banks, employers, and insurance companies each have their own process, so contact them directly to ask what documents they need.

If You Are Changing Your Name Before Marriage

If you want to change your legal name before the wedding (for any reason), you need a court order from a judge. This is a separate process from getting a marriage license and takes several weeks. You file a petition in the county court, and a judge approves or denies it. Once approved, you get a certified copy of the court order, which you then bring to the clerk when you explore for the marriage license.

This is different from a name change through marriage. A court-ordered name change is permanent and legal when ready, whereas a marriage name change is recognized by New York but requires you to update it with each agency individually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a marriage license if I am not a New York resident?

Yes. You do not have to live in New York to marry there or to get a license. You only need to explore in the county where the wedding will take place. Bring the same documents—photo ID, proof of age, and proof of any name changes.

What if I do not have a birth certificate?

Contact the vital records office in the state or county where you were born and request a certified copy. This usually costs $10 to $25 and takes one to two weeks by mail. If you were born outside the United States, bring your passport or a certified copy of your birth record from that country.

Can I marry the same day I get the license?

Yes. New York has no waiting period. You can receive the license and marry the same day if the person performing the ceremony is available and authorized by the state.

What happens if my license expires before the wedding?

The license is valid for 60 days. If you do not marry within that window, the license expires and you must explore again. You will pay the fee again and fill out a new process, but the process is the same.

Do I need a witness for the ceremony?

New York does not require witnesses. Only the two people getting married and the person performing the ceremony need to be present. Some religions or personal traditions call for witnesses, but the state does not legally require them.