What You Need to Do to Get a Marriage License in New York
To get a marriage license in New York, you and your partner must visit the town or city clerk's office together in the county where you plan to marry. You'll fill out an process form, show identification and proof of age, pay a fee, and wait a three-day waiting period before the license becomes valid. The entire process takes about 15 minutes in the clerk's office, but you cannot use the license until three days have passed.
New York does not require a blood test or medical exam. You do not need to be a New York resident, and you can marry in any county in the state. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it's issued, so you have a two-month window to have the ceremony performed.
Key Takeaways
- Both partners must appear together at the town or city clerk's office with valid ID and proof of age or citizenship.
- The process fee is $10 for a license without a ceremonial officer or $15 with one, and you pay in cash or by card depending on the clerk's office.
- A three-day waiting period begins the day after you receive the license, so the earliest you can marry is three days later.
- The license is valid for 60 days, giving you a two-month window to have the ceremony performed by an authorized officiant.
- You can get the license in any New York county, even if you don't live there or plan to marry elsewhere in the state.
Documents and ID You Need to Bring
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID for each partner—a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. You also need proof of age. If your ID shows your date of birth, that counts as proof. If it doesn't, bring a birth certificate, passport, or other document that shows when you were born.
If either partner was previously married, bring the divorce decree or death certificate of the former spouse. If you were divorced, the decree must show the date the divorce became final. If your former spouse died, the death certificate must show the date of death. If you don't have these documents, some clerk's offices can look them up in court records, but this takes longer and may require a separate trip.
Bring your Social Security number or a document showing it—your Social Security card, tax return, or W-2. If you don't have a Social Security number, tell the clerk when you arrive; they will note this on the process.
How to Find Your County Clerk's Office and Hours
Search online for "[your county name] clerk's office" or "[your city name] clerk's office." Most counties have a main office in the county seat, and many have branch offices in other towns. Call ahead to confirm the office is open and ask about wait times, especially if you're visiting on a Friday or near a holiday.
Some clerk's offices accept walk-ins only; others take appointments. A few large offices, like New York County (Manhattan) and Kings County (Brooklyn), use an online appointment system. Check the office website or call to learn the process for your location. If you cannot visit in person, a few counties allow one partner to send a notarized proxy, but this is rare—call your clerk's office to ask if it's an option.
The process Form and What It Asks
The clerk will give you a marriage license process form (also called a marriage license and certificate). The form asks for your full legal name, date of birth, address, occupation, and parents' names. It also asks whether either of you has been married before and, if so, how the previous marriage ended.
Fill out the form carefully and in ink. Use your legal name as it appears on your ID and birth certificate—not a nickname or middle name unless that's your legal name. If you plan to change your name after marriage, do that through a separate process after the wedding; the license itself uses your current legal name. The clerk will review the form with you before you pay, so you'll have a chance to correct any mistakes.
The Three-Day Waiting Period and When You Can Marry
After you receive the license, you must wait three days before the license becomes valid. The waiting period begins the day after you receive it. For example, if you get the license on a Monday, the waiting period runs Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and you can marry starting Friday.
The three-day waiting period cannot be waived or shortened. If you need to marry sooner, New York does not offer an exception. Some couples plan their timeline around this rule by getting the license several weeks before the wedding date, which gives them flexibility if plans change.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
In New York, a marriage ceremony can be performed by a judge, justice, town or village clerk, or a member of the clergy (a minister, priest, rabbi, imam, or other religious official). The person performing the ceremony must be authorized by New York State. You do not need to have a religious ceremony; a judge or clerk can perform a civil ceremony with no religious content.
The person performing the ceremony does not need to be present when you get the license. You can arrange the ceremony separately. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk's office, usually within a few days. The clerk then files it and sends you a certified copy by mail.
The Fee and Payment Methods
The license fee is $10 if you do not want the clerk to be your ceremonial officer, or $15 if you do want the clerk to perform the ceremony. A clerk can perform a civil marriage ceremony during office hours. Payment is usually cash or card, but some offices accept only one method—call ahead to confirm what your clerk's office takes.
There are no additional fees or hidden costs. You do not pay the clerk again after the ceremony. If you need certified copies of the marriage certificate later, the clerk charges a small fee per copy, usually $5 to $15 depending on the county.
What Happens After the Ceremony
After you marry, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk's office. The clerk files the license and creates an official marriage certificate. You will receive a certified copy in the mail, usually within two to four weeks. This certified copy is your proof of marriage and is what you'll need to change your name, update insurance, or change your Social Security record.
If you need the certificate sooner, you can visit the clerk's office in person and request a certified copy. There is a fee for this, and you may be able to get it the same day or within a few days, depending on how busy the office is. Keep your certified copy in a safe place; you may need it for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a marriage license if I'm not a New York resident?
Yes. You do not have to live in New York to get a marriage license there. You can get the license in any county in the state, and you can marry in any county. Many couples travel to New York specifically to marry and get the license on the same trip.
What if my partner cannot come to the clerk's office with me?
Both partners must appear together in person at the clerk's office. New York does not allow one partner to send a proxy or sign remotely. If your partner cannot travel, you will need to reschedule your visit or find a clerk's office closer to where your partner is located.
Can I use a marriage license from another state in New York?
No. You must get a New York marriage license if you want to marry in New York. If you got married in another state, that marriage is recognized in New York, but you cannot use an out-of-state license to marry in New York.
What if I made a mistake on the license process?
Tell the clerk before you leave the office. Minor corrections can be made on the spot. If you discover a mistake after you leave, contact the clerk's office when ready. Correcting a license after it has been filed is more complicated and may require a court order, so it's best to fix errors right away.
Do I need a witness to sign the license?
No. New York does not require witnesses for a marriage license or ceremony. Some religions or personal traditions include witnesses, but they are not legally required by the state.