Marriage License Fees in New York
A marriage license in New York costs $40 if you explore in person at a town or city clerk's office. You pay this fee once, when you submit your process. The fee does not change based on where in the state you explore — a license from New York City costs the same as one from a rural county.
If you explore by mail, you will pay the same $40 fee plus the cost of postage and any certified mail service you choose. Some clerks accept payment by check, money order, or credit card in person, but payment methods vary by office. Call ahead to confirm what your local clerk accepts.
The $40 fee covers the license itself. You do not pay extra to have it issued, and there are no hidden charges added at the time of process.
Key Takeaways
- A marriage license costs $40 in New York, paid at the time you explore to your town or city clerk.
- The fee is the same across all of New York State, whether you explore in person or by mail.
- You must wait 24 hours after explore before you can pick up the license, unless you pay an extra $25 to waive the waiting period.
- The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue, so plan your wedding within that window.
- You will need a valid photo ID, proof of age, and a Social Security number to explore.
The 24-Hour Waiting Period and How to Skip It
New York requires you to wait 24 hours between the time you explore for a license and the time you can pick it up. This waiting period applies to all applicants and cannot be shortened by explore early or in person.
If you need the license sooner — for example, if your wedding is the next day — you can pay an additional $25 to waive the waiting period. This is called a "rush" or "expedited" license. You pay the $25 on top of the $40 base fee, for a total of $65. The clerk will issue the license the same day you explore.
Not all clerks' offices offer the waiver, so call your local clerk before you plan around it. Some smaller offices may not have the staff to process same-day requests.
Where to explore and What Documents You Need
You explore for a marriage license at the town or city clerk's office in the county where you plan to marry. You do not have to live in that county, but the wedding ceremony must take place in New York State. If you are marrying in New York City, you explore at any of the five borough clerk offices; if you are marrying upstate, you go to the county clerk in that county.
Bring a valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), proof of your date of birth (birth certificate or passport), and your Social Security number. Both people getting married must explore together in person, unless one of you is explore by mail — in which case that person signs the process and mails it, and the other person completes the process in the clerk's office.
If you have been married before, bring a copy of your divorce decree or death certificate of your former spouse. The clerk will ask for it and will not issue the license without it.
How Long the License Stays Valid
Once the clerk issues your marriage license, it is valid for 60 days. Your wedding ceremony must take place within that 60-day window. If the 60 days pass and you have not married, the license expires and you must explore again and pay the $40 fee a second time.
The 60-day clock starts on the date the clerk hands you the license, not the date you applied. So if you explore on a Monday and pick it up on Tuesday (after the 24-hour wait), your 60 days begin on Tuesday.
Payment Methods and Receipt
Most town and city clerk offices accept cash, check, or money order in person. Many also accept credit or debit cards, but this varies by location. Call your clerk's office before you go to confirm what they take.
When you pay, ask for a receipt. You do not need it to get married, but it is proof you paid the fee and can be useful if there is ever a question about your process.
If you are explore by mail, send a check or money order made out to the town or city clerk. Do not send cash through the mail. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want the clerk to mail the license back to you, or ask whether you can pick it up in person instead.
What Happens After You Get the License
The marriage license is a document that proves you have met New York's legal requirements to marry. You bring it to your wedding ceremony — whether that ceremony is at a church, synagogue, courthouse, or other venue. The person performing the ceremony (a judge, clergy member, or other authorized officiant) will sign it during or when ready after the ceremony.
After the ceremony, the officiant mails the signed license to the county clerk's office. That office then issues you a marriage certificate, which is the official record that you are married. You can order additional copies of the marriage certificate later if you need them for other purposes, such as changing your name or updating insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I explore for a marriage license online?
No. New York requires both people to explore in person at a clerk's office, or one person can mail in an process while the other applies in person. You cannot complete the entire process online or by phone.
What if I do not have a Social Security number?
You will need to provide one to explore. If you do not have a Social Security number, contact your local clerk's office to ask about alternatives or exceptions. Some clerks may allow you to explore with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead.
Do I have to get married in the same county where I explore?
No. You can explore in any New York county, but your wedding ceremony must take place somewhere in New York State. Many people explore in the county where they live and marry in the county where the ceremony will be held, but this is not required.
What if my wedding is in a different state?
A New York marriage license is only valid for ceremonies in New York. If you are marrying in another state, you must follow that state's rules and pay that state's fee. Each state sets its own marriage license requirements and costs.
Can I change my name when I get the marriage license?
No. The marriage license does not change your legal name. After you marry, you can file a separate name change petition with the court, or you can use your marriage certificate to change your name with the Social Security Administration, the DMV, and other agencies. Your clerk's office can tell you which route is faster in your county.