Getting your marriage license and planning your wedding in NYC

Guides by topic

• The license and paperworkBoth of you book a City Clerk appointment, in person or by video through Project Cupid; there are no walk-ins, and the license costs $35 (NYC311, checked September 2026). After the wedding come certified copies, an apostille for use abroad ($10 per document, NYS Department of State) and any change of surname.→
• City Hall and civil ceremoniesA City Clerk ceremony costs $25 and needs an appointment, your license, photo ID and at least one witness 18 or older (NYC311, checked September 2026). Start with the City Hall wedding guide.→
• Venues and ceremony locationsParks, rooftops and private rooms each set their own rules. An event on NYC Parks property needs a permit (NYC event permitting), and photos may too, depending on equipment, props and vehicles (NYC Parks).→
• Planning, costs and timingThe official fees are the $35 license and the $25 City Clerk ceremony; everything else is a private price. The 24-hour wait after the license is issued, which a judge can waive, sets your fastest timeline (NYC311, checked September 2026).→
• What to wearDress for the setting you choose: an office ceremony, a park in any season, or photos on city streets.→
• Guests, travel and where to stayHelp your guests pick a neighborhood and a hotel and plan how they get around, with the city's visitor information and the MTA trip planner.→
• Nearby placesThe Hudson Valley, Long Island and the North Fork, and North Jersey: see the Near New York City page. A New York license covers a ceremony anywhere in New York State (NYS Department of Health); a New Jersey ceremony follows New Jersey's rules.→
• Finding vendorsChoose a photographer, officiant, florist or other vendor by borough, and know what to ask about your date, on the vendors page. Anyone who marries you in New York City must be registered with the City Clerk first (NYS Department of Health).