- First, middle, last
- Optional
- Allowed for males and females
- Street, city/town/village, state, county, zip
- Optional
- Job name or title
- Business type or industry
- Full name
- Country of birth
- Full maiden name
- Country of birth
- If known
- Expected date, time, location
- Death
- Divorce
- Annulment
- Death
- Divorce
- Annulment
- Are any still alive
- Decree date
- Decree issued (city, state, country)
- Launched against whom (self, spouse)
May I download the marriage application?
You must pick up an application, as it's custom-designed by each clerk's office.
How long will it take to process my application?
The application procedure will take 15 to 30 minutes to complete, in and out.
Age Requirements
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.
What are the underage marriage rules?
Who grants consent?
Your custodial parents, guardians, or caretaker must grant consent.
What about divorced parents?
In cases of divorce, the custodial parent must grant consent.
How is parental consent granted?
Express consent in person to the city or town clerk or by written affidavit.
Which court will hear my marriage request?
Go to the Supreme Court or Family Court for the city or town where you'll apply.
What should I expect after petitioning the court?
Expect the following when you go to court:
- File application.
- Go to judge's chambers.
- Judge appoints lawyers for minors.
- Separate on camera interviews of minors.
- Hear from parents and assess minors' readiness.
- Deny request or grant a written court order approving marriage.
Premarital Education
Is premarital education available in New York?
New York has not set up a state-approved premarital education program.
Waiting Period
When will I get my marriage license?
You will get your marriage license immediately, but must wait 24 hours to use it.
How do I get the 24-hour waiting period waived?
Are you military?
The 24-hour wait does not apply to members of the U.S. armed forces.
Is waiting harmful?
A Supreme Court judge or justice may waive the 24-hour delay for emergencies.
Expiration
When will my marriage license expire?
Your marriage license will stay valid for 60 days after issuance.
Identification
Must I show ID?
Bring proof of age and identity, such as a:
- Birth certificate or record
- Original or certified copy
- Must have photo
- State-, school-, military-, or government-issued
- Court
- School
- Baptismal
- Immigration
- Naturalization
- Must have date of birth
Must I show my birth record?
You needn't bring your birth certificate or record.
Must I show my social security card?
You needn't bring your social security card, but your number will be requested.
Blood Test
Is a blood test required?
New York repealed the syphilis and rubella premarital blood test law in 1985.
Divorced
Do I have to show my divorce decree?
If you're divorced, bring a certified copy of every prior divorce decree or annulment.
How soon may I marry after getting divorced?
If your divorce is final, you may get married without delay.
Widowed
Do I have to show a death certificate?
If you've been widowed, bring a certified copy of every prior death certificate.
How soon may I marry after a spouse's passing?
You need not wait to remarry following a spouse's death.
Name Change
How do I change my name after marriage?
Use a certified copy of your marriage certificate or transcript to change your name in New York or elsewhere.
Am I eligible to change my name?
Men, women, and same-sex couples may execute a name change through marriage.
Is a name change required?
Name change is optional, even if a new name is on your marriage certificate.
Is a name change automatic?
Name change is not automatic. You must file name change paperwork.
What are my last name change options?
You have three surname change options:
1. As-is…
You may take either's current or former last name.
2. Hyphenate…
You may hyphenate each's current or former last name.
3. Combination…
You may combine all or part of each's current or former last name.
What are my middle name change options?
You may replace your middle name with your maiden name.
Do we both have to choose the same last name?
Your last name choices do not have to match. You may even reverse hyphenate.
Witnesses
Do I need to bring witnesses?
Two witnesses—not counting the officiant—must be at your marriage ceremony.
Are witness signatures required?
Both witnesses must add their signatures and residences to your marriage license.
The Ceremony
Who may conduct our marriage?
A judge, justice, magistrate, mayor, county executive, state legislator, tribal leader, marriage officer, NYC clerk, or clergy may solemnize your marriage.
What is a marriage officer?
Cities, towns, and villages appoint marriage officers to conduct civil ceremonies.
May we officiate our own marriage?
You may not self-solemnize your ceremony. An officiant must take the helm.
Does my officiant have to register in New York?
Officiants operating in New York City must register with the city clerk.
License Return
When must my marriage license go back?
Your officiant must return your marriage license to the issuing city or town clerk within five days after marriage.
Marriage Certificate
How do I get a copy of my marriage certificate?
Ordering from the clerk?
You may buy a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the city or town clerk where you got your marriage license.
Ordering from state vital records?
New York's vital records office sells birth, death, divorce, and marriage certificates.
Should I order a certified copy or a transcript of marriage?
In New York, a certified copy of your marriage certificate is a marriage transcript.
Proxy Marriage
Can I get married by proxy?
You may not get married by proxy, phone, or videoconference.
Prohibited Marriage
May I marry a cousin?
You may marry a first cousin in New York.
May I marry a family member?
You may not marry an ascendant, descendant, sibling, half-sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew.
Common-law Marriage
Can I set up a common-law marriage?
New York abolished the practice of common-law marriage in 1933.
Vow Renewal
How do we renew our vows?
You may get married a second time to the same person with a regular marriage license.
Do we have to show proof that we're married?
If you're remarrying your spouse, bring proof of your current marriage.
