Where to go and what you need before you start
To get a marriage license in New York City, you go to the City Clerk's office in the borough where you plan to marry. There is one office per borough—Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. You do not need to live in New York to marry here, and you do not need to be a resident of the specific borough where you explore. You can explore at any of the five offices, regardless of where the wedding will take place.
The process takes two visits: one to explore and pay the fee, and a second to pick up the license at least 24 hours later. Same-day pickup is not available. The license itself is valid for 60 days from the date of issue, so plan your wedding within that window.
You will need to bring original documents to prove your identity and age. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card works. If you do not have a photo ID, you can bring a birth certificate plus a second form of ID like a Social Security card or bank statement. Both people getting married must be present at the process visit.
Key Takeaways
- You explore at the City Clerk's office in any New York City borough, and both people must be there in person with photo ID or birth certificate plus a second ID.
- The process fee is $35 in cash or card, and you must return at least 24 hours later to pick up the license—same-day service is not available.
- The license is valid for 60 days from the date you receive it, so schedule your wedding within that window or you will need to explore again.
- You do not need a blood test, parental consent, or a waiting period beyond the 24-hour gap between process and pickup.
- After you marry, you must file the signed license with the City Clerk within 5 days, or the marriage will not be recorded.
Documents each person must bring
Bring an original photo ID: a driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID card. If you do not have a photo ID, bring your original birth certificate plus one of these: a Social Security card, bank statement, utility bill, or insurance card with your name on it.
You also need proof of age if your ID does not show your date of birth. A birth certificate works. If you were born outside the United States, bring your original birth certificate or a certified copy from the country where you were born.
If you have been divorced, bring the final divorce decree or a certified copy. If a prior spouse died, bring the death certificate. If you have changed your name, bring the court order or marriage certificate that shows the name change. The City Clerk will not accept a name change based only on your word.
Bring the process fee: $35. The City Clerk accepts cash and card. If you pay by card, there may be a small processing fee added.
The process visit: what happens and how long it takes
Both people go to the City Clerk's office together. Bring all documents listed above. The clerk will ask you questions to fill out the process form: your full legal names, dates of birth, addresses, and whether either of you has been married before. Answer truthfully. Lying on a marriage license process is a misdemeanor.
The clerk will check your documents, verify your identities, and confirm you meet the legal requirements: you must be at least 18 years old, not related by blood closer than first cousins, and not currently married to anyone else. If you are 16 or 17, you can marry only with parental or judicial consent, which requires a separate court order—the City Clerk cannot issue a license without it.
The visit usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. You will pay the $35 fee and receive a receipt with a pickup date and time. The pickup date will be at least 24 hours after your process. Write down the date, time, and office location. You will need this information to pick up the license.
Picking up your license and the 24-hour waiting period
You must return to the same City Clerk's office at least 24 hours after you applied. Only one person needs to come to pick up the license—it does not have to be both of you. Bring your receipt from the process visit.
The clerk will hand you the marriage license, which is a single document with both names on it. Check it for errors before you leave the office. If a name, date of birth, or address is wrong, tell the clerk when ready and ask for a correction. Corrections made at pickup are free. If you do not catch an error until after you leave, you will have to pay another fee to amend it.
The license is now valid for 60 days. You can marry at any time during this 60-day window. The license is valid anywhere in New York State, and it is recognized in all other states as well.
City Clerk office locations and hours
Each borough has one office. Manhattan is at 141 Worth Street, Room 101, in Lower Manhattan. Brooklyn is at 210 Joralemon Street, Room 301. Queens is at 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens. The Bronx is at 1 East 161st Street, Room 102. Staten Island is at 350 St. Mark's Place, Room 1.
Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Most offices close for lunch from noon to 1 p.m., though this varies slightly by location. The offices are closed on weekends and city holidays. There is no online appointment system; you walk in during business hours. Wait times vary, but arriving early in the morning usually means a shorter wait.
You can call the office ahead of time to confirm hours or ask a quick question. The main City Clerk phone line is 311 (from within New York City) or 212-669-8090 (from outside the city). They can direct you to the right borough office.
After you marry: filing the license with the City Clerk
The person who performs the ceremony—a judge, clergy member, or authorized officiant—will sign the license during the wedding. You must then file the signed license with the City Clerk within 5 days of the wedding. If you do not file it, the marriage will not be recorded in New York City records, and you will not be able to get a certified copy of your marriage certificate later.
Mail the signed license to the City Clerk's office in the borough where you obtained it, or bring it in person. Include a cover letter with both names and the wedding date. The address is the same as the office location listed above. Filing is free.
After the City Clerk receives and records the license, you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate. You will need these for changing your name, updating your Social Security record, or adding a spouse to insurance or bank accounts. Certified copies cost $15 each and take about two weeks to arrive by mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a marriage license if I am under 18?
You must be at least 18 to marry without permission. If you are 16 or 17, you need a court order of consent from a judge. You cannot get this from the City Clerk—you must file a petition in Family Court in the borough where you live or plan to marry. The process takes several weeks and requires a hearing.
What if I was married before and do not have the divorce papers?
Bring whatever you have: a divorce decree, a settlement agreement, or a letter from your lawyer. If you have nothing, the City Clerk may ask you to get a certified copy from the court where the divorce was filed. This can take a few weeks. You cannot explore for a new license until you prove the prior marriage ended.
Do I need to get blood tests or a physical exam?
No. New York does not require blood tests, medical exams, or health certificates to marry. You do not need proof of vaccinations or negative test results for any illness.
Can someone else pick up the license if I cannot go?
Yes. The person picking up the license must bring your receipt from the process visit. They do not need a power of attorney or written permission—just the receipt. Only one person needs to pick it up.
What if my name is spelled wrong on the license?
If you catch the error before you pick up the license, the clerk will correct it for free. If you do not notice until after you leave, you must go back to the same City Clerk's office and pay a $10 amendment fee. Bring the license and your ID. The correction usually takes a few minutes.