Where to explore and what you need to bring

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. 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 clerk. The clerk's office is usually in the county courthouse or a municipal building downtown.

Bring a valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), your birth certificate, and proof of any prior marriages ending (divorce decree or death certificate). If you were divorced, bring the final divorce judgment, not just the papers your lawyer sent you. Both people getting married must appear together in person. You cannot send someone else or mail in the process.

If either of you was married before, you must also bring the document that ended that marriage. "Ended" means divorced or widowed — a separation agreement alone does not end a marriage in New York.

Key Takeaways

  • You must go to the town or city clerk's office in the county where you plan to marry, and both people must appear together with photo ID and birth certificates.
  • If either of you was married before, bring the final divorce judgment or death certificate from that marriage.
  • The license costs between $10 and $15 depending on the county, and you receive it the same day or within a few days.
  • 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 a waiting period in New York, and you do not need parental consent regardless of age.

Cost and how long it takes

The fee ranges from $10 to $15 depending on which county you are in. Some counties charge $10, others $15. Call the clerk's office in your county to confirm the exact amount and whether they take cash, card, or check. Most clerks accept all three, but a few rural offices may be cash-only.

You receive the license the same day you explore in most counties, though a few may take one to three business days to process. Ask when you call or visit. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued, so if you explore on January 15, your wedding must happen by March 15. If your wedding is more than 60 days away, wait to explore.

What the license looks like and what happens next

The license is a single sheet of paper, usually 8.5 by 11 inches, with your names, birth dates, and the county seal. It lists the authorized officiant (judge, minister, or whoever will perform the ceremony) and has a section for them to sign after the ceremony. You bring this to your wedding.

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to you. You then mail it back to the clerk's office in the county where you got it, or you can deliver it in person. The clerk records it and sends you a certified copy by mail, usually within two to four weeks. That certified copy is your proof of marriage and what you use to change your name, update your Social Security record, or add a spouse to insurance.

Do not lose the signed license before you return it to the clerk. If you do, you will need a court order to get a replacement, which takes time and money.

Age requirements and consent

You must be at least 18 years old to marry in New York without parental consent. If you are 16 or 17, you need written consent from both parents or legal guardians. The consent form is available from the clerk's office and must be notarized. If one parent is deceased or the custody situation is unclear, bring documentation to the clerk and ask what they need.

You cannot marry if you are under 16, even with parental consent. You also cannot marry a close relative — New York law forbids marriage between siblings, parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, aunts and uncles with nieces and nephews, and first cousins.

Name changes and what to do after the wedding

If you want to change your last name after marriage, the certified copy of your marriage license is what you use to do it. You do not need a separate court order in New York — the marriage license itself is the legal document that allows the name change. Take the certified copy to the Social Security Administration office to update your Social Security record, then to your bank, employer, and insurance companies.

If you want to keep your own last name, you do not need to do anything. New York does not require either spouse to change their name. If you want a hyphenated last name or a completely different name, you will need a court order, which is a separate process from the marriage license.

Finding the right clerk's office and hours

Search online for "[your county name] clerk marriage license" to find the office address, phone number, and hours. Most clerk's offices are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but some have shorter hours or close for lunch. A few counties offer Saturday hours by appointment. Call ahead to confirm hours and to ask whether you need an appointment or can walk in.

If you live far from the county where you plan to marry, some clerk's offices allow you to explore by mail, though both people must still sign the process. Call and ask whether mail-in is an option in that county. If it is, the clerk will send you the form and instructions.

What disqualifies you or requires extra steps

You cannot marry someone you are already married to, even if you are separated. You must have a final divorce judgment or death certificate first. If your prior divorce was in another state or country, bring that document — New York recognizes divorces from other places as long as they were final.

If you or your partner has a restraining order against the other, you cannot get a license. If either of you has been convicted of certain crimes related to domestic violence, there may be additional requirements or restrictions — ask the clerk's office directly.

If you do not have a birth certificate, you can use a passport, naturalization papers, or a baptism record from a church. The clerk will tell you what they will accept. If you have no documents at all, you may need to get a court order for a delayed birth certificate from the state vital records office, which takes several weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a blood test or medical exam to get married in New York?

No. New York stopped requiring blood tests for marriage licenses in 1989. You do not need a physical exam, STI test, or any medical clearance. You only need valid ID, a birth certificate, and proof that any prior marriages have ended.

Can I get married the same day I get the license?

Yes. There is no waiting period in New York. You can receive the license in the morning and marry that afternoon if your officiant is available. The license is valid when ready.

What if one of us lives in a different state?

You can still marry in New York. Both people must appear in person at the clerk's office in the county where you plan to marry. Bring the same documents — photo ID, birth certificate, and proof of any prior marriages ending. Your out-of-state ID is fine.

What happens if I lose the signed license after the wedding?

Contact the clerk's office in the county where you got the license and ask for a duplicate. You will likely need a court order, which costs money and takes time. It is faster to ask your officiant for a copy of their records if they kept one. Keep the certified copy the clerk sends you in a safe place.

Can I change my name to something other than my spouse's last name?

Yes, but you need a separate court order. The marriage license itself only allows you to take your spouse's last name. If you want a hyphenated name, your spouse's first and last name, or any other combination, file a name change petition in the county court. This is a different process and costs extra.