How to Get Married in New York (2026)
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · New York · Last updated 2026-05-18
In New York, a wedding is not just a personal milestone but a series of state-law steps with their own deadlines. The waiting-period rule reads as follows: 24 hours from license issuance; waivable by order of a court of record. The window during which the license remains usable: 60 days from issuance. On informal marriage, Not recognized; New York abolished common-law marriage in 1933. N.Y. recognizes common-law marriages validly contracted in other states under choice-of-law principles. This guide lays out the New York-specific sequence and the documents and rules that govern it.
Key Considerations
New York also imposes timing rules on either side of license issuance. The waiting period (if any) controls how soon after the license is issued the ceremony can lawfully occur: 24 hours from license issuance; waivable by order of a court of record. The validity window controls how long the license remains good: 60 days from issuance. Couples should calendar both dates against the planned ceremony date.
Beyond the license itself, two New York rules shape what counts as a legally completed marriage. The first is whether New York still permits common-law marriage at all: Not recognized; New York abolished common-law marriage in 1933. N.Y. recognizes common-law marriages validly contracted in other states under choice-of-law principles. The second is the list of people who may lawfully perform the ceremony: Clergyman or minister of any religion; current/former NY judges and justices; mayors and city/town clerks of designated cities/towns; ship captains for at-sea ceremonies; one-day officiants designated by the city/town clerk under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 11-B. Both are settled by statute.
Two of the first questions any New York couple asks about a wedding are what the marriage license costs and who is old enough to apply. On the fee side, Statutory fee under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 14-a; specific dollar amount varies by issuing town/city clerk. Representative figure for New York City: $35 license fee (NYC City Clerk). Per-jurisdiction schedule out of scope. On the age side, No marriage permitted under 18 with any consent, effective July 30, 2021 (N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 15-a as amended by L. 2021, ch. 32). Confirm both with the issuing office before scheduling the ceremony.
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Relevant Documents
For a New York marriage, the core documents are the marriage-license application filed with the issuing clerk and, where a premarital-course incentive applies, the certificate of completion from a state-approved provider. The premarital-course completion certificate, where this state recognizes one, is presented at the application appointment to claim the statutory benefit. Whatever the current New York marriage-license fee amount, it is collected by the issuing clerk at the application appointment rather than billed later.
Beneficiary Designation Forms
Documents that specify who receives assets from retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other financial accounts upon your death.
Durable Power of Attorney
Authorizes someone to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated, ensuring your affairs can be managed without court intervention.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Designates someone to make medical decisions for you if you're unable to do so, ensuring your healthcare preferences are respected.
Prenuptial Agreement
A contract entered into before marriage that establishes rights to property and financial support in case of divorce or death. This document can protect pre-marital assets and outline financial responsibilities during marriage.
Updated Will
A legal document that specifies how your assets should be distributed after death. Marriage typically invalidates previous wills in many jurisdictions, making it important to create a new one that includes your spouse.
Relevant Laws
New York Domestic Relations Law § 10-13
Establishes who may legally marry in New York State. Since 2011, New York recognizes marriages regardless of whether the parties are of the same or different sex. Both parties must be 18 years of age or older (or 17 with judicial approval and parental consent).
New York Domestic Relations Law § 13-a
Requires a marriage license to be obtained from any town or city clerk in New York State at least 24 hours before the marriage ceremony. The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.
New York Domestic Relations Law § 11
Specifies who may perform marriage ceremonies in New York, including clergy members, judges, and certain public officials. The ceremony must be witnessed by at least one other person besides the person performing the ceremony.
New York Domestic Relations Law § 236
Known as the Equitable Distribution Law, this statute governs how marital property is divided in case of divorce. Understanding this law is important for couples considering prenuptial agreements or those wanting to know how their assets might be treated in the future.
New York Domestic Relations Law § 25
Provides that a marriage is valid despite irregularities in the marriage license or ceremony if the parties believed in good faith that they were properly married. This 'marriage saving' statute protects couples from technical defects in the marriage process.
Regional Variances
New York City
New York City has specific marriage license requirements that differ from the rest of the state. You must apply in person with your partner at any City Clerk's office. The marriage license fee is $35, and there is a mandatory 24-hour waiting period after receiving your license before you can have your ceremony. NYC also offers domestic partnership registration. Marriage licenses issued in NYC are valid for 60 days and can be used anywhere in New York State.
The Manhattan Marriage Bureau is often very busy, especially during peak wedding season. It's advisable to make an appointment online through Project Cupid rather than walking in. The Manhattan office also offers a private wedding chapel for ceremonies for an additional fee of $25.
The Brooklyn Marriage Bureau offers services similar to Manhattan but may have shorter wait times. They also provide ceremony services, but the space is typically smaller than Manhattan's.
Long Island
In Nassau County, marriage licenses must be obtained from the town or city clerk where either party resides, not the county clerk. The fee is still $40, but processing times and availability of same-day licenses may vary by town. Some town clerks require appointments while others accept walk-ins.
Similar to Nassau County, marriage licenses in Suffolk County are issued by town clerks rather than the county clerk. Each town may have slightly different procedures and hours of operation, so it's important to check with the specific town clerk's office where you plan to apply.
Upstate New York
As the state capital, Albany has a streamlined marriage license process. The city clerk's office issues licenses during regular business hours, and the standard $40 fee and 24-hour waiting period apply. Albany also has several historic venues that may require special permits for wedding ceremonies.
Buffalo's City Hall offers marriage licenses and can perform ceremonies on the same day after the 24-hour waiting period. The city clerk's office is known for being accommodating to couples and offers extended hours on certain days of the week.
Known as the 'Honeymoon Capital,' Niagara Falls has a dedicated marriage license office with extended hours during tourist season. The city offers special wedding packages for ceremonies near or overlooking the falls, which may require additional permits from the Niagara Falls State Park.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Submit the New York marriage-license application in person at the issuing clerk's office
Before the ceremony days after startingStatutory fee under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 14-a; specific dollar amount varies by issuing town/city clerk. Representative figure for New York City: $35 license fee (NYC City Clerk). Per-jurisdiction schedule out of scope. Identification requirements typically include a current government-issued photo ID; some clerks also ask for a birth certificate or certified copy of any divorce decree.
Have identification and prior-marriage paperwork ready when filing the application
Before the ceremony days after startingStandard documents include a current driver's license or passport for each applicant, plus a certified divorce decree, annulment order, or spouse's death certificate for anyone previously married.
If a premarital-course discount applies, complete an approved course before applying
Before the ceremony days after startingNo statutory discount identified in this pass (consult the state code). Bring the original certificate of completion to the application appointment so the clerk can apply the discount or waiver at filing.
Confirm the license validity window before locking the ceremony date
Before applying days after starting60 days from issuance. The license expires by operation of law at the end of the window; a ceremony performed after expiration is not lawful and the couple must reapply.
Account for the post-license waiting period when picking a ceremony date
Before the ceremony days after starting24 hours from license issuance; waivable by order of a court of record. The waiting period (where the state imposes one) runs from the license issuance date, so the application timing has to be worked backward from the planned ceremony date.
Complete the ceremony with an officiant who falls inside the New York authorized-officiant list
At the ceremony days after startingClergyman or minister of any religion; current/former NY judges and justices; mayors and city/town clerks of designated cities/towns; ship captains for at-sea ceremonies; one-day officiants designated by the city/town clerk under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 11-B. An out-of-state officiant performing the ceremony inside New York should be confirmed against the New York list, since reciprocity is not automatic.
Have the officiant return the executed license to the clerk after the ceremony
After the ceremony days after startingThe clerk records the marriage and issues the certified certificate; many states impose a strict return deadline (often 10 to 30 days), so the officiant should not delay.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submit the New York marriage-license application in person at the issuing clerk's office | Statutory fee under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 14-a; specific dollar amount varies by issuing town/city clerk. Representative figure for New York City: $35 license fee (NYC City Clerk). Per-jurisdiction schedule out of scope. Identification requirements typically include a current government-issued photo ID; some clerks also ask for a birth certificate or certified copy of any divorce decree. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Have identification and prior-marriage paperwork ready when filing the application | Standard documents include a current driver's license or passport for each applicant, plus a certified divorce decree, annulment order, or spouse's death certificate for anyone previously married. | - | Before the ceremony |
| If a premarital-course discount applies, complete an approved course before applying | No statutory discount identified in this pass (consult the state code). Bring the original certificate of completion to the application appointment so the clerk can apply the discount or waiver at filing. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Confirm the license validity window before locking the ceremony date | 60 days from issuance. The license expires by operation of law at the end of the window; a ceremony performed after expiration is not lawful and the couple must reapply. | - | Before applying |
| Account for the post-license waiting period when picking a ceremony date | 24 hours from license issuance; waivable by order of a court of record. The waiting period (where the state imposes one) runs from the license issuance date, so the application timing has to be worked backward from the planned ceremony date. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Complete the ceremony with an officiant who falls inside the New York authorized-officiant list | Clergyman or minister of any religion; current/former NY judges and justices; mayors and city/town clerks of designated cities/towns; ship captains for at-sea ceremonies; one-day officiants designated by the city/town clerk under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 11-B. An out-of-state officiant performing the ceremony inside New York should be confirmed against the New York list, since reciprocity is not automatic. | - | At the ceremony |
| Have the officiant return the executed license to the clerk after the ceremony | The clerk records the marriage and issues the certified certificate; many states impose a strict return deadline (often 10 to 30 days), so the officiant should not delay. | - | After the ceremony |
Frequently Asked Questions
24 hours from license issuance; waivable by order of a court of record. The waiting period (if any) starts running from the date the license is issued, not from the date the application is filed; the date that controls is the issuance date on the license itself.
Statutory fee under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 14-a; specific dollar amount varies by issuing town/city clerk. Representative figure for New York City: $35 license fee (NYC City Clerk). Per-jurisdiction schedule out of scope. Applicants should plan to confirm the current dollar amount directly with the New York issuing clerk that will handle the application, since the published fee schedule can change and county add-ons (where allowed) shift the total.
Not recognized; New York abolished common-law marriage in 1933. N.Y. recognizes common-law marriages validly contracted in other states under choice-of-law principles. The practical test in New York is whether the state's marriage code permits a marriage to be formed without a license and a ceremony; in most states it does not, and a couple that wants the legal status of marriage should plan on the license-plus-ceremony track.
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