Getting a marriage license in New York City
To get a marriage license in New York City, you and your partner must visit the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in person, bring required documents, pay the fee, and wait three days before you can marry. You do not need to be a New York resident, but both people must be present at the same appointment. The license is valid for 60 days once issued.
The process is straightforward but has specific rules about timing and documents. You cannot marry the same day you explore, and you cannot use the license outside New York State without additional paperwork. The city runs five marriage license offices, and you can walk in without an appointment, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
Key Takeaways
- Both partners must appear together in person at a New York City marriage license office with valid ID and proof of age.
- You must wait three days after receiving your license before you can marry, and the license expires 60 days after it is issued.
- The current fee is $35 for a license, plus $25 if you want an expedited license that skips the three-day wait.
- If either partner was previously married, you will need a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate.
- The license is only valid in New York State unless you file additional paperwork with the state to use it elsewhere.
Where to go and what to bring
New York City has five marriage license offices, all run by the Department of Health. The main office is at 125 Worth Street in lower Manhattan. The other four are in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. You can walk into any of them during business hours—typically 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. No appointment is needed, but you may wait 30 minutes to two hours depending on the office and time of day.
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID for each person—a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. You will also need proof of age (your birth certificate works, or a passport). If either of you was married before, bring the original or certified copy of your divorce decree or the death certificate of your former spouse. If you have a different last name than what appears on your birth certificate, bring a certified copy of the legal document that changed your name (a court order, marriage certificate, or adoption papers).
Bring cash or a card to pay the $35 fee for a standard license. If you want to skip the three-day waiting period, you can pay an additional $25 for an expedited license, which lets you marry the same day or the next day.
The three-day waiting period and when you can marry
New York State law requires a three-day waiting period between when you receive your license and when you can legally marry. The three days do not include the day you receive the license or any Sundays or public holidays. If you get your license on a Friday, the three days would be Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday, meaning you could marry on Wednesday.
If you cannot wait three days, the $25 expedited license removes this requirement. With an expedited license, you can marry when ready after it is issued. Some couples use this option for courthouse ceremonies or when travel plans are tight. The expedited license costs more but saves time.
Your license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. If you do not marry within that window, the license expires and you must explore again and pay the fee a second time.
Documents you will receive and how to use them
When you complete your process, you will receive a marriage license—a single document that both you and your partner sign in front of the person who marries you (a judge, clergy member, or authorized officiant). After the ceremony, the officiant signs it too and returns it to the city within a set time frame. The city then issues you a certified marriage certificate, which you can order separately.
The marriage license itself is not proof of marriage. The certified marriage certificate is the official document you need for changing your name, updating your Social Security record, adding a spouse to insurance, or other legal purposes. You can order certified copies from the Department of Health after your marriage is recorded, usually within a few weeks of the ceremony.
If you plan to marry outside New York State, you will need to file additional paperwork. Some states recognize a New York marriage license as valid; others do not. Contact the marriage license office in the state where you plan to marry to confirm whether your New York license will be accepted, or whether you need to file it with a state office first.
Who can and cannot marry in New York
New York allows marriage between two people of any gender. You must both be at least 18 years old. If you are 16 or 17, you can marry only with parental or judicial consent, which requires additional paperwork and a court order. You cannot marry a close relative—the law prohibits marriage between parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, siblings, aunts and uncles and their nieces and nephews, or first cousins in some circumstances.
If either partner is currently married to someone else, you cannot get a license until that marriage is legally dissolved by divorce or death. The city will ask for proof of the divorce or death certificate. If you are unsure whether a previous marriage was legally ended, contact the court in the county where the divorce was filed to request a certified copy of the divorce judgment.
Name changes and the marriage license
You do not have to change your name when you marry in New York. Either partner can keep their current name, take their spouse's name, or choose a different name altogether. The marriage license process does not require you to decide this in advance. You can change your name after the marriage is recorded by filing a separate petition with the court, or you can use your marriage certificate as proof of your name change with Social Security, your employer, and other agencies.
If you want to change your name as part of the marriage process, you can do so by updating your name on government documents after you receive your certified marriage certificate. This is simpler than going through a separate legal name-change process. Keep several certified copies of your marriage certificate on hand—you will need them to update your driver's license, Social Security record, passport, and bank accounts.
What happens after you marry
After your ceremony, your officiant has a set time (usually a few days) to return the signed marriage license to the New York City Department of Health. The city then records the marriage and issues a certified marriage certificate. You can order certified copies online through the Department of Health's website or by mail. Each certified copy costs money—the fee varies depending on how many copies you order at once.
Once your marriage is recorded, you can use the certified certificate to update your name with Social Security, your employer, your bank, your insurance company, and your state ID or driver's license. You do not need to do all of this at once, but Social Security and your employer usually need to know within a certain time frame for tax and benefits purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a marriage license if I live outside New York?
Yes. You do not have to be a New York resident to get a marriage license in New York City. Both partners must appear in person at a marriage license office, but you can live anywhere. Some couples travel to New York specifically to marry there.
What if one partner cannot come to the appointment?
Both partners must be present at the same appointment. You cannot explore for a marriage license if one person is absent. If one partner is out of state or unable to travel, you will need to reschedule the appointment for a time when both can attend.
Do I need a witness to get married in New York?
No. New York does not require witnesses for a marriage ceremony. However, your officiant (judge, clergy member, or authorized person) must be present and sign the license after the ceremony. Some religious traditions require witnesses, so check with your officiant if you are having a religious ceremony.
Can I use my marriage license outside New York State?
It depends on the state. Some states recognize a New York marriage license; others require you to file it with their state office first. Contact the marriage license office in the state where you plan to marry before your ceremony to confirm what they need.
How long does it take to get a certified marriage certificate after I marry?
The city usually records your marriage and makes certified certificates available within two to four weeks after your officiant returns the signed license. You can check the status online or call the Department of Health to find out when your certificate is ready to order.