Updated on March 26, 2024
The Office of the City Clerk – NYC Marriage Bureau is open for in-person appointments only. No walk-in visits are permitted.
You can schedule an in-person appointment for a Marriage Ceremony, Marriage License, and other select services through Project Cupid. The option to schedule a virtual appointment for a Marriage License also remains available.
Please visit the official page of the NY Marriage Bureau for official updates.
141 Worth Street is where the magic happens. A true New York City experience of multiculturalism and good vibes. That is perhaps why so many couples decide to get married at the City Clerk’s office in Manhattan despite the bureaucracy implicit in the process, waiting lines, crowded spaces…, all that is part of the experience and can be exciting. Nonetheless, we’d love to share our experiences and give you some practical information and tips to help you enjoy the fun part and keep stress at bay.
A DETAILED JOURNEY
• Once you enter the building (there are two entrances, one on Worth St. and the other one at Centre St.) you will find a security checkpoint similar to the one at the airports. We think that unfortunately, this is a necessary measure these days but just keep that in mind to bring a bag or purse where you can insert your belongings before entering the scanner and you’ll get inside in a blink of an eye. NOTE: For security reasons, no photography at or pointing to the security checkpoint is allowed and they will be mad if you take photos (And rightly so).
• Once you go through security you need to check in at the reception desk to verify your ID, marriage license, and witness ID. A waiting number will be assigned. If it’s just the two of you and you don’t have a witness we’d be happy to act as witnesses!
• Keep that number with you, you will need it in the following steps. They will call your number at stations 1 to 13 and you and your witness will need to sign the license and pay the ceremony fee
• Then you will have to wait some more until you are called by the same number at Station 5 which is the access to the wedding chapels. This is a great moment to take some shots at the location.
• Once they call you at Station 5 the officiant will take your marriage license and have you wait a little bit in the waiting room.
• Finally they will call you by your name and you will enter one of the two chapels for the ceremony (East or West). The ceremony is quite short and they normally don’t allow reading your own vows but most likely you will be able to say something short and sweet
TIPS & TRICKS
• Don’t bring a heavy bag or bulky items. Especially if it’s just the two of you, you probably won’t like to be in the photos carrying anything besides possibly a lovely bouquet or a fun sign.
• Couples with scheduled marriage ceremonies may bring up to four (4) attendees (including desired witnesses 18 years of age or older). In addition, at
the City Clerk’s discretion, a limited number of children 12 years of age and under will be
permitted as well.
• Go with the flow. Even if you have an appointment there may be a waiting time depending on how many couples are getting married that day.
• Fridays are always the busiest days so please keep in mind that even with an appointment there may be a slightly longer wait.
• Lastly. Relax and enjoy, you will be taken care of by the excellent staff at the Bureau and your photographer will help guide you through all the way! ;-)
Same-sex marriages
• On June 24, 2011, the New York State Legislature passed the Marriage Equality Act which was signed into law by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo the same day. This new law took effect on July 24, 2011. Since that date, the New York City Clerk has been issuing marriage licenses and providing civil marriage ceremonies to same-sex couples.
• Same-sex marriage is now legal in all the states and territories of the United States including the District of Columbia as per the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges.
Marriage Ceremony Outside of the City Clerk’s Office
• You may arrange a civil or religious Marriage Ceremony outside of our offices in any location you wish within the State of New York.
• Your private Ceremony must be conducted by a Marriage Officiant who is eligible to perform Marriage Ceremonies under New York State Law.
• David is a NYC registered officiant and can perform ceremonies anywhere in the State of NY and beyond! Learn more about our SWEET ELOPEMENT PACKAGE.
Extended License Process
• Some countries require additional paperwork to make your wedding certificate valid. If you travel from abroad we recommend you check the requisites in your embassy. In case you need extra paperwork you will need to apply for an Extended Certificate. You can apply for the Extended certificate on the same day you get married, but it does require a few steps and trips to different buildings so it’s probably a good idea to leave that for another day if you can.
• To get the Extended certificate:
1. Go back to the City Clerk’s Office with your Short certificate and identification, fill out a yellow Extended certificate request form and take it to the Records Room. Here you pay another $35 and an Extended certificate is given to you.
2. You then need to go over the road to the County Clerk’s Office (located in the Supreme Court Building, 60 Centre Street) to have the certificate signed at the Notary Public Desk at a charge of $3. This building has a security check and metal detectors, so it’s best not to go with cameras and so on.
3. Once the Extended certificate is signed, you need to take it to the New York State Department of State (123 Williams Street, between Fulton and John) to get an Apostille that authenticates the document. This costs $10, but note that the New York State Department of State no longer accepts cash or credit cards – it has to be a money order! If you don’t have one with you, you can go over the road to the Duane Reade pharmacy and buy a $10 money order at a cost of $11.
Once all that’s done, your certificate is ready to be accepted in your country!
Hope this was helpful. You can always send us an email with your plans and questions and you may click on the image below to see our most recent City Hall Weddings and elopements.
© L&L Style Photo