How To Plan A New York City Wedding
Now that you’ve got a good grasp on the legal side of things, it’s time to have some fun. Let your imagination run wild with NYC as your playground as you plan your dream wedding in the City That Never Sleeps. Read on for what to keep an eye out for as you search for your perfect wedding venue and choose your wedding date.
I Am Getting Married What Are The Requirements For Obtaining A Marriage License
If you would like to get married in NYS you can obtain a marriage license from any Town or City Clerk. You will need to have photo ID , birth certificate, and if you have been married before, judgment of divorce for all previous marriages. Both parties must be present and we ask that you are in before 4pm. The license is not valid for the first 24 hours and is good for 60 days. The cost is $40 if you pay with cash or check or $43 if using a credit or debit card. Note – your license will always be on file where you obtained the license, NOT in the city, town, or village that you ultimately get married.
How To Become A Minister In New York City
Before you do anything, your first move will be to become ordained . How does it work? Get Ordained offers legal ordination via the Universal Life Church, and the process is completely free. The ULC welcomes anyone who feels called to ministry, and does not discriminate based on identity, creed, or any other characteristics. You can become ordained online in just a few minutes, right from your device. With this important step complete, you’ll have the power to officiate legal weddings! To start the application, follow the link below.
Read Also: How To Get A Drivers License In New York
The Best Times Of Year To Have A New York City Wedding For Good Weather
Autumn is a popular time to tie the knot in NYC, and for good reason: Between the pleasant temperatures and show-stopping fall foliage, it’s truly a romantic time to experience everything the city has to offer. If you’re prepared for the heat, summer is also a good time to host a wedding in New York City, especially if you’re hoping for a waterfront wedding ceremony, as is spring, when cherry blossoms bloom and hotels and flights are typically slightly lower in cost than in the summer months when tourists flock to the city. Winter weather also brings its own kind of enchantment to New York City, but keep in mind when planning a winter wedding that in addition to snow-dusted backdrops and a festive ambiance, snow and cold might make travel more logistically difficult.
The Different Cities And Areas To Consider For A New York State Wedding
New York State boasts a variety of venues. If you’re looking to get married in the city of New York, the options are pretty much endless from Brooklyn to the Bronx to Manhattan to Queens to Staten Island, you’re sure to find something that’s perfect for you. Whether it’s a ballroom-style historical venue or a skyline rooftop reception, the city boasts so many options that it’ll almost be hard to choose!
If you want a little more peace and quiet and New York City isn’t quite what you’re looking for, Long Island has beautiful beaches around every corner, beautiful vineyards and romantic farmland for every kind of wedding ceremony. The rest of New York State is just as diverse: places like Albany sport beautiful woodlands to rolling hills, so there is something for everyone in the Empire State.
Also Check: How To Get Married In New York State
Receive Your License And Wait 24 Hours
A city clerk employee should turn over your license within moments of receiving your completed application and payment, according to the office. Your license is good for 60 days, but you can’t get hitched for 24 hours after it’s issued unless you obtain a judicial waiver. After that, feel free to wed anywhere in the stateyour license is invalid outside of New York state.
Where Do You Obtain A Marriage License Marriage Licenses Are Issued In The City Clerk’s Office By Appointment Only Please Call 518
The Office of the City Clerk issues marriage licenses to couples planning to be married in New York State. The couple must apply in person and the application for a license must be signed by both the bride and the groom in the presence of the City Clerk or the Deputy City Clerk.
A representative cannot apply for the license on behalf of the bride or groom. This applies even if the representative has been given Power of Attorney. Nor can notarized marriage license affidavits signed by the bride or groom be substituted for their personal appearance.
Recommended Reading: Wedding Reception Halls Brooklyn Ny
How Long Does It Take To Get A Marriage License In New York State
In New York state, you can get your marriage license instantly at any from any county clerk. There is a 24-hour waiting period to be able to use the marriage license after the exact time you had received it the day prior. After the license is issued, there is a 60-day expiration period, so make sure you plan your marriage ceremony around your marriage license application or vice versa.
How Much Does The License Cost
If the marriage license is issued by a town or city clerk in New York State outside of New York City, it costs $40. This fee includes the issuance of a Certificate of Marriage Registration. This certificate is automatically sent by the issuing clerk to the applicants within 15 calendar days after the completed license is returned by the officiant . It serves as notice that a record of the marriage is on file. Couples who do not receive a Certificate of Marriage Registration within four weeks of the wedding should contact the town or city clerk who issued the license.
If the license is to be issued by the City Clerk of the City of New York, please contact the New York City Clerk’s Office for current fees and requirements. The City Clerk’s Office can be reached at NEW-YORK or via its website at New York City Marriage Bureau.
Don’t Miss: Can I Bet On Sports Online In New York
Best Neighborhoods For Out
Now that youve figured out how to get here, its time to book a place to stay. Many areas of the city are walkable and the subway makes traveling to sites easy, so there are plenty of different neighborhood options to get the most out of your trip.
New York City is home to five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. Manhattan is the best for sightseeing since most of the citys attractions are here. Other boroughs tend to offer cheaper stay options but with a longer commute factored in.
Here are our top recommendations for neighborhoods in New York City:
Midtown: If you book a hotel in Midtown, youll be within walking distance to Times Square, Rockefeller Center, the MoMa museum, and more. This is a great option if youre looking for a true tourist experience in New York City, full of bright lights and other travelers.
Chelsea & Greenwich Village: If youre interested in a more authentic city experience, head to the curvy neighborhoods of Chelsea or Greenwich Village on the west side of the island. Youll find great local restaurants and hangouts, beautiful city streets, parks buzzing with live musicians, and boutique hotel options here. Youre also just a short subway ride away from notable sights in the South end of the island.
How Old Must I Be To Marry
Aged 18 and above?
If you’re at least 18 years old and competent, you may marry without parental or court approval.
Aged 17?
If you’re 17 years old, you may marry with both parents’ written consent and court approval.
Aged 16 and under?
On June 30, 2017, Gov. Cuomo signed an anti-child marriage law that bumped up the minimum marriage age from 14 to 17.
You May Like: Brooklyn Boulders 2 Day Pass
Fill Out An Application
Once you’ve collected the documents that prove you’re of legal marrying age, a U.S. resident, and more, you’re ready to officially apply for a license. You can fill out your application online and present it at the Office of the City Clerk, or fill it out in-person at the office at your appointment. Either way, you and your fiancé must both be present when you turn in your paperwork, according to the office. See a list of office locations, by borough, on the city clerk website.
If you choose to fill it out online, just know that it expires within 21 days so make sure to get to the city clerk’s office before then. If not, you’ll need to resubmit it.
What You’ll Need To Officiate In New York City
After contacting the New York City office that handles marriages, you should have a solid idea of what you will need to order from our website. Based on conversations with our ministers in New York City, the New York City Wedding Kit is the most popular option. However, your selection may depend on the specific requirements for officiating in your area.
Once you receive the items you need, you’ll be ready to officially perform the wedding! If it’s your first time officiating, we’d encourage you to visit our wedding training center, which features a suite of resources and tools you may find helpful when preparing for the ceremony.
Also Check: What Is The Best Psychiatric Hospital In New York
Documents Required To Order A Marriage Certificate Online
In order to complete the online application, the Health Department requires applicants to prove their identity by including a photocopy of their ID. It varies depending on the county, but commonly people can use the drivers license or a state ID. Verify thelist of all necessary documents required by your state here.
Recommended Reading: How Much Are Tolls From Virginia To New York
Last Name Change New York:
Just because you have a marriage license with your new last name doesnt mean youve officially changed your name.
- Surnames do not automatically change after marriage. You must choose your legal surname. One or both parties may choose to change their surnames.
- You do not have to change your surname to be legally married.
- In the state of New York, you must choose from the following options for the surname change:
- one spouses surname for both partners
- a surname that combines elements of both spouses surnames
- both spouses surnames, separated by hyphen
Also Check: Where Is The Niagara Falls In New York
What Are The Steps Needed To Get Married In New York
In order to enter into a valid marriage in New York, you must obtain a marriage license and have the marriage ceremony conducted by a person who is allowed to perform such ceremonies. First, you must apply for and obtain a valid marriage license from a town or city clerk in New York. Then, you must deliver the license within 60 days to the clergy member or magistrate who will perform the marriage ceremony. This is a simple process, involving the following steps:
After the waiting period, you must go before a clergy member or magistrate and declare that you take each other as spouses. Only certain people can perform your marriage ceremony, including:
- A clergy member or minister of any religion, or by a senior leader of one of New Yorks Societies for Ethical Culture
- A mayor of a village, a county executive of a county, or a mayor, recorder, city magistrate, police justice or police magistrate of a city
- A federal or state judge sitting in New York or
- A friend or relative can officiate your wedding once he or she is ordained for the ceremony.
Legal Editors: Charlotte Lee and Dalit Yarden, February 2015
How Do We Get Married At City Hall
Actually, you dont get married at City Hall! Its a common misconception that wedding ceremonies in Manhattan happen at City Hall. The truth is that both obtaining your wedding license andhaving the ceremony take place at the Office of the City Clerk : Marriage Bureau. The City Clerks Office is located at 141 Worth Street in Manhattan. Opening hours are Monday through Friday from 8.30am to 3.45pm, except on major holidays. Be sure to check before you go.
Also Check: How Much Is A New York State Inspection
Nyc Marriage Bureau Locations
Manhattan Marriage Bureau
Location: The NYC City Clerks Office is located at 141 Worth St., New York, NY 10013Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am 3:45pm
Brooklyn Marriage Bureau:
Location: The Brooklyn City Clerks Office is located in the Brooklyn Municipal Building at 210 Joralemon Street, Room 205, Brooklyn, NY 11201Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am 4:00 pm
Queens Marriage Bureau:
Location: The Queens City Clerks Office is in the Borough Hall Building at 120-55 Queens Boulevard, Ground Floor, Room G-100, Kew Gardens, NY 11424Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am 3:45pm
Bronx Marriage Bureau:
Location: The Bronx City Clerks Office is located within the Supreme Court Building at 851 Grand Concourse, Room B131, Bronx, NY 10451Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am 4:00 pm
State Island Marriage Bureau
Location: The Staten Island City Clerks Office is located in the Borough Hall Building at 10 Richmond Terrace, Room 311, , Staten Island, NY 10301Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am 4:00 pm
Average Cost Of A Wedding In Nyc
Getting married in a big city is more costly than hosting a ceremony and reception in a rural area everything from the venue to the catering will run at a higher price tag. In the city that never sleeps, this is especially true. New York City is the most expensive city in the U.S. to get married. The average wedding cost in NYC is $78,600, well above the national average of $34,000. We calculated this average cost of a wedding with 100 guests using real-time data from our NYC vendors.
Check out a cost breakdown in the chart below:
For weddings, the venue is typically the most expensive vendor and costs vary widely. Guestlist size, location, season, and style also play a major role in wedding cost. Since New York plays host to many timeless and lavish venues, its not surprising that vendors here are more expensive and competitive than other cities in the U.S.
Also Check: What’s Free To Do In New York City
How Buffalo Marriage Licenses Work
After the ceremony is over, your last responsibility will be to sign and return the marriage license. In Buffalo, a marriage license is valid for 60 days. Once it has been picked up, there is a mandatory one-day waiting period before the wedding ceremony may be performed. Please keep in mind that the license must be returned within the prescribed period after signing.
This is a legal document, so please double-check that it is correctly filled out before returning it to the office that issued it. For detailed instructions on how to fill out a marriage license, visit our
We Would Like To Have Our Ceremony At The City Clerks Office
Great! After your 24 hours wait, bring your marriage license, proper identification, at least one witness and a little bit of time. The fee for the ceremony in the City Clerks Office is $25 and can be paid by credit card or money order, payable to the City Clerk. Ceremonies are held during regular business hours between 8.30am and 3.45pm. Unfortunately, no reservations or appointments can be made for the ceremony and it is nearly impossible to predict the waiting times. From my experience, you will wait between 45 minutes to 2 hours for the entire process. If you can, come early in the morning when the chances are better of a speedy process.
You May Like: How To Apply For New York State Disability Insurance
What About The Ceremony
In-person wedding ceremonies are available at Hempstead Town Hall outside on the patio, where social distancing and other safety protocols are in place. Please call to book your wedding ceremony.
There is no particular form or ceremony required except that the parties must state in the presence of an authorized member of the clergy or public official and at least one other witness that they take one another as a married couple. There is a minimum age of 18 to be a witness.
The Town Clerks Office has a chapel available for small wedding ceremonies. Marriage ceremonies will be officiated by a Hempstead Town Marriage Officer by appointment only on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, from 10 AM to 3 PM, and on Thursday, from 10 AM to 5:00 PM. The fee the use of the chapel is $65. The chapel can only be booked after obtaining a New York State Marriage license. If the license was not issued by the Town of Hempstead marriage department, please come into our office with the original marriage license and valid I.D. to schedule a ceremony.
Read Also: Nicest Hotel Nyc
How To Get A Marriage License In New York City
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all offices of the City Clerk – NYC Marriage Bureau are closed for walk-in visits. The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island offices remain closed. To schedule an in-person or virtual marriage license appointment, visit nyc.gov/Cupid.
Do you think obtaining a marriage license in New York City is as confusing as navigating its subway system? Well, surprisingly, it’s not. While the rules for marriage licenses vary by state and sometimes county , the process itself is fairly easy.
One thing that’s true across the board and important to keep in mind is that a marriage license means you’re allowed to get married not that you’re actually married just yet. A few days following the ceremony, the officiant needs to file the certificate in the appropriate county office for things to be official. In most cases, the office will then mail you a marriage certificate.
So, now that that’s all clear, ahead we outline everything you need to know about snagging yourself a marriage license in the Big Apple.
Also Check: Is Hurricane Elsa Going To Hit New York