How to get NYC marriage license and certificate in 2024?
First of all, let me repeat - only a couple has legal right to obtain a marriage license before the ceremony - no third-party company or representative can do it for them (maybe there are some exceptions for the military, but we will talk about regular cases only). Why? Because in any case (described below) you will need to meet a city clerk and confirm your identities by presenting you photo ids (and other documents if applicable).
What is a legal role of wedding minister/officiant then?
In order to make your marriage government official, the license (which can be described as a “legal permit” to get married) MUST BE completed by NY registered and ordained wedding officiant. And only after that it can be processed by the city clerks office and your marriage certificate (the final document) will be issued.
Ready to proceed?
Applying for Marriage Licenses
Currently, there are 2 ways to get a marriage license in NYC: online (through a pre-scheduled videoconference with a city clerk) or in-person (pre-scheduled visit to the city clerk’s office).
NY marriage license is valid for 60 days only, so you should start the process of obtaining not earlier than 60 days.
Online method
You can do everything at the comfort of your NY home or hotel (foreign/out-of-state couples must schedule an online appointment to a day when they will be physically in NY - they can complete virtual appointment in their hotel room).
It takes 2 steps.
First Step
You’re registering at Project Cupid and applying, uploading your documents (as ID’s, divorce decrees, etc) :
https://projectcupid.cityofnewyork.us/app/cupid#/display/5ea1d0bda46ab1020e1659f4
Second Step
After you applied, filled out all the details and uploaded all the documents, you will get an access to the city clerks office appointments calendar.
Schedule your videoconference appointment with the city clerk. The appointment must take place at least 1 day/not earlier than 60 days before the ceremony, we recommend scheduling an appointment at least 2 weeks before the ceremony to ensure availability. Pick the time slot that would work for both of you (you and your partner need to be present together in front of the computer/phone at the moment of the videoconference (and to confirm you are in the state of New York - they won’t ask you to share a location, but to simply answer “yes”). After a city clerk checks/confirms all the formal details, clerk uploads the marriage license to your Project Cupid profile a the end of your videocall.
You will download it from there to your computer (in pdf), print out and bring to the ceremony (it is better to print out a couple of copies, just in case).
In-person method
You can schedule an in-person appointment with a city clerk (in Manhattan it is located at 141 worth Street, New York, NY 10013, but you can schedule it at any borough, based on your convenience) by visiting this page:
https://clerkscheduler.cityofnewyork.us/s/MarriageLicense
IMPORTANT:
City Clerks office is open from Monday to Friday, from 8:30am till 3:45pm. (It is also closed on public holidays. You can check the full list here.)
Please, check the calendar of availability 2-3 weeks prior the ceremony to schedule it on time. Both of you must be present at the appointment. The appointment must take place at least 1 day/not earlier than 60 days before the ceremony.
You will need to bring your photo ids (such as state id or passport) and original divorce decrees (if any) in order to obtain the license. (If divorce decree was issued in a different language, you must bring a certified translation).
Prepare to spend around 30-60 minutes at the office, as often times there are lines, even with the appointment.
After you receive the license and return envelope, bring them to the ceremony in order to make it legal (NY registered officiant must sign the license to make it government official).
What happens to the license after the ceremony?
Usually, we are taking care of sending it by certified mail to the city clerk’s office for processing. After they receive it, it becomes their responsibility - they process the license and send out the physical marriage certificate (the final document! Yay!) by mail to the address you provided when applied for the license. After they send it out, it becomes carrier’s responsibility. Usually, couples receive the certificate in mail within 4-6 weeks after the ceremony. In rare cases (around 5 envelopes from 200) certificate, can be lost by the carrier :( In such case, you will need to send a mail request to the city clerk’s office to obtain a copy or make a record room in-person appointment.
The couple is signing the marriage license after the ceremony
WHAT IF YOU DON’T WANT TO WAIT 4-6 WEEKS TO GET THE CERTIFICATE?
(or to worry that it may get lost by the carrier)
You must pre-schedule a “record room” appointment with the city clerks office for the date within 5 days after your wedding ceremony by visiting this page:
https://clerkscheduler.cityofnewyork.us/s/RecordRoom
This one should also be scheduled at least a few days in advance to ensure availability.
In this case, after the ceremony NY registered officiant completes the license and returns it to you. You’re taking the license to the city clerks office (within 5 days after the ceremony) and exchange it for the marriage certificate (short or extended version, based on whether you need it to be later authenticated for the foreign use).
WHAT IS THE LEGAL PROCESS FOR FOREIGN COUPLES?
THESE STEPS ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR THE COUPLES WHO LIVE IN UK, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand (countries that use English on the government level/the official language). U.S. issued short (default) marriage certificates are valid/recognized in your countries without any extra documents.
What steps do other foreign couples need to take in order to get legally married here (and also to get supporting documents for foreign use)?
First step is the same as for everyone local - you must schedule an appointment with the city clerk in order to obtain a marriage license (check top of the page to see instructions for in-person and online method).
In order to simplify/shorten the overall process, you must secure another appointment with the city clerk - the “records room” appointment to get your EXTENDED certificate on hands within 5 days after the ceremony.
Once in New York, obtain a license via in-person or online appointment that you secured in-advance; bring it to the ceremony and get it completed by a NY state registered wedding officiant.
Take completed marriage license to the city clerks office for your “records room” appointment (that you secured in advance) and “exchange” for EXTENDED version of the marriage certificate.
At this point, you have a document that is legal in U.S. Now you need to perform following extra steps in order to legalize it for foreign use:
Take the marriage certificate with an original signature and seal to the New York County Clerk’s Office located in New York State Supreme Court Building (60 Centre Street, Room 141B, New York, NY 10007, (646) 386-5933) for authentication of the City Clerk’s signature. Go to the Notary desk. The fee is $3.00 (currently, they accept only cash). Ask for and fill out Apostille/Certificate of Authentication Request form (check the blank form below).
NOTARY SERVICE IS CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY!!! PLAN ACCORDNIGLY.Go to USPS (United States Postal Service) office and obtain a $10 money order payable to N.Y.S. Department Of State. Get a self-addressed, First Class Priority or Express envelope with prepaid postage.
Next, take the original marriage certificate with the affixed authentication by the County Clerk + $10 money order + Pre-paid envelope to the New York Department of State, Apostille Certification Unit, 123 Williams Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10038, (212) 417-5747, for issuance of the Apostille. Drop off the documents and relax! Now, you only need to wait for the certificate with all the supporting papers to arrive at your home address within 2-4 weeks (it also deepens on what type of mailing speed you pre-paid).
I really hope you have found the comprehensive instructions helpful - as we’ve been closely monitoring all the changes and new/possible options in the legal process since the pandemic and are proud to offer all the guidance to our local and foreigner couples.
I’m waiting for your questions at marta@perfectweddingnyc.com and excited to start planning your elopement wedding!
