Franklin Dean
If you're planning a wedding in New York, there are a few things you should know about the legal requirements. First, you must obtain a marriage license from a city or town clerk's office, and both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification and proof of age, such as a birth certificate or driver's license. You'll also need to provide your Social Security Number, parental birth names, and country of birth. If either party has been previously married, you'll need to bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. Once you've submitted the required documentation and paid the $35-$40 fee, you'll receive your marriage license the same day. However, there is a 24-hour waiting period before your wedding ceremony can take place, unless a court grants a waiver. Additionally, only certain individuals, such as clergy members or government officials, can perform your marriage ceremony, and they must be registered with the City of New York.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply for a marriage license? | Any couple who intends to be married in New York State. |
| Where to apply? | Any town or city clerk in the state. |
| Who needs to be present? | Both applicants must be present in person. |
| What documents to bring? | Proof of ID, Social Security Number, birth certificate, driver's license, documentation of previous marriages, and parent's birth names and country of birth. |
| Other requirements | Applicants must be over the age of 18, cannot be married to another person, and cannot be closely related. |
| Fee | $35 in New York City and $40 elsewhere in the state. |
| Waiting period | 24 hours after receiving the license, unless a court gives permission to waive the waiting period. |
| Officiant | The person performing the ceremony must be registered with the City of New York. |
| Name change | The marriage license cannot be changed to record a new surname after the marriage. |
| Validity | A New York State marriage license is only valid within New York State. |
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What You'll Learn
Marriage license fees
To get a marriage license in New York, both parties must appear in person at a city or town clerk's office. Each party must bring proof of ID, such as a Social Security number, birth certificate, and driver's license, as well as documentation of any previous marriages. You will also need to provide your parents' birth names and country of birth. Once you have provided all the required documentation, you must fill out the application form and pay the $40 marriage license fee. Your license will be issued to you on the same day.
After the wedding, the officiant should send the completed license back to the issuing city clerk's office for recording. For a certified copy of the marriage record, you can contact the office of the town or city clerk who issued the license, or the New York State Department of Health. The fee is $10 if you obtain a certified copy from the town or city clerk who issued the license. If you apply to the New York State Department of Health, the fee is $30.
Please note that you will need to bring certain documentation of your age and identity, such as a photo ID, and the fee to pay for your license when you apply for it. Both applicants must sign the application form in the presence of the town or city clerk. A representative cannot apply for the license on behalf of either applicant.
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Who can perform the ceremony
The person performing the wedding ceremony in New York must be registered with the City of New York to do so within the New York City limits. This person does not have to be a resident of New York State. Ship captains are not authorised to perform wedding ceremonies in New York State.
The officiant is responsible for ensuring that the officiant and witness portions of the marriage license are properly completed and accurate. It is the couple's responsibility to present their marriage license to the officiant and the witnesses. The officiant must then return the original license to the town or city clerk where it was purchased, usually by mail. This must be done within five days of the ceremony.
According to New York State law, a clergy member or minister is someone "who has been officially ordained and granted authority to perform marriage ceremonies from a governing church body," or someone "who is not authorized by a governing body but who has been chosen by a spiritual group to preside over their spiritual affairs."
Those who can perform the ceremony include governors, mayors, state legislators, judges, and clergy members, among others. A quick, simple ceremony can be performed by a town clerk or local judge, and then a larger ceremony can be held with a friend or family member officiating.
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Identification requirements
To get a marriage license in New York, both parties must appear in person at a city or town clerk's office. Each person must bring at least one form of photo ID and one document that proves their age.
New York accepts the following types of documents as proof of identity:
- U.S. passport
- U.S. Military-issued photo ID
- Driver's license
- Social Security Number
If you are a refugee and do not have a birth certificate, you must get a signed and sealed record of your name, birth date, birth place, and parents' names from your sponsoring agency. If the document is in a foreign language, you must provide a certified English translation along with the original. A certified translation will be signed, dated, and include a statement attesting to the accuracy of the translation.
In addition to the photo ID, you must provide one of the following documents as proof of your age:
- Birth certificate
- Certification of birth issued by the state department of health, a local registrar of vital statistics, or another public officer charged with similar duties by the laws of any other state, territory, or country
- Court record or any other document or record issued by a government entity, showing the date of birth
You will also need to provide your parents' birth names and country of birth, as well as documentation of previous marriages. This includes whether former spouses are living, and whether the applicants are divorced, and if so, when, where, and against whom the divorce or divorces were granted. A certified copy of the Decree of Divorce or a Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage may be required by the clerk issuing the marriage license.
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Age requirements
In the state of New York, individuals who are 18 years of age or older are legally considered adults and are thus able to marry without parental consent. This is in accordance with the age of majority, which is the You may want to see also In New York, a person's last name does not automatically change upon marriage, and neither party to the marriage is required to change their last name. One or both parties to a marriage may elect to change their name by entering their new name on the marriage license application. This can include a change of middle name and last name, but not a first name. To get a marriage license in New York, both parties must appear in person at a city or town clerk's office. Both parties must bring proof of ID, such as a Social Security Number, birth certificate, and driver's license, as well as documentation of previous marriages. You will also need to provide your parents' birth names and country of birth. Once you have provided all the required documentation, you will fill out the application and pay the $40 marriage license fee. Your license will be awarded that day. After the wedding, the officiant should send the completed license back to the issuing city clerk's office for recording. Your new surname will become your legal surname after the marriage certificate has been signed and filed. However, you will still need to notify Social Security and other institutions, such as your bank, of your name change. Your name will not automatically change with these institutions. To change your name with Social Security, you will need to contact any Social Security office and provide documentary evidence showing both your old name and your new name. This may include your marriage certificate, which is your legal name-change document, as well as proof of identity, such as a driver's license, and proof of citizenship. It is free to apply for a name change on your Social Security card in New York and throughout the US. If you are short on time or transportation, you may consider using a name-changing website like HitchSwitch, which simplifies the process of getting your name changed after marriage. You may want to see also You must be over the age of 18 and have the mental capacity to enter into a contract. You cannot be married to another person and cannot marry anyone who is a close blood relative. In New York, you can marry at the age of 16-17 with parental consent. The fee for a marriage license in New York City is $35. In the rest of the state, the fee is $40. You will receive your marriage license on the same day that you apply for it. You will need to bring proof of age and identity, such as a birth certificate, photo ID, and your Social Security Number. If you have been married before, you will need to bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. Yes, there is a 24-hour waiting period after receiving your marriage license before you can get married in New York, unless a court grants a waiver.Planning a Double Wedding for Sisters: A Guide
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Frequently asked questions
