How to Get Your Marriage License & Elope in NYC

Whether you are planning an intimate elopement, a micro‑wedding, or traveling to New York from abroad, this guide walks you through the legal steps of getting married in NYC. We explain how to obtain your marriage license, what to expect from the City Clerk process, how to work with an officiant, and what happens after the ceremony. Our goal is to make the process clear, structured, and stress‑free.

Step 1: Apply online via Project Cupid

• Start by completing the online application through Project Cupid, the official New York City Clerk platform. This is the only way to begin the marriage license process in NYC.
• You may also follow the City Clerk’s Office for official updates and announcements.

Step 2: Virtual appointment with the City Clerk

• After submitting your application, you must schedule a virtual appointment with the City Clerk. During this meeting, your information is reviewed and your marriage license is issued.
• Both partners must be physically present in New York State at the time of the virtual appointment.
• The marriage license fee is $35, payable online.
• Response times vary depending on season and demand, so planning ahead is strongly recommended.
• Your marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued.

Step 3: The 24‑hour waiting period

• Once 24 hours have passed after your marriage license is issued, you may legally get married by a registered NYC officiant.

Step 4: On the day of your ceremony, you must bring:

• A printed copy of your marriage license
• Valid photo IDs
• One witness (21+, with valid ID)
• After the ceremony, the officiant, couple, and witness sign the marriage license.

Step 5: After the ceremony

• The signed marriage license must be uploaded back to Project Cupid. Once processed, the City Clerk issues your official marriage certificate, which is the legal document confirming your marriage.
• Processing times and delivery options may vary depending on the City Clerk’s workload and selected mailing method.

Step 1: Apply online via Project Cupid

• International couples follow the same application process as U.S. citizens by submitting their marriage license application through Project Cupid, the official NYC City Clerk platform.
• There is no citizenship or residency requirement to get married in New York City.

Step 2: Virtual appointment with the City Clerk

• After submitting the application, both partners must schedule a virtual appointment with the City Clerk.
• Both partners must be physically present in New York State at the time of the virtual appointment.
• The marriage license fee is $35, payable online.
• Response times depend on season and availability, so early planning is recommended.
• The marriage license is valid for 60 days from the issue date.

Step 3: The 24‑hour waiting period

• After 24 hours have passed, you may legally get married by a registered NYC officiant.

Step 4: On the day of your ceremony, you must bring:

• A printed copy of your marriage license
• Valid passports or government‑issued photo IDs
• One witness (21+, with valid ID)
• After the ceremony, the officiant, couple, and witness sign the marriage license.

Step 5: After the ceremony

• The signed marriage license must be uploaded back to Project Cupid. Once processed, the City Clerk issues your official marriage certificate.
• Some countries may require an apostille or additional legalization for the marriage certificate to be recognized abroad. Requirements vary by country and should be confirmed with your local authorities.

• Marriage certificates mailed internationally are sent without tracking via USPS. Delivery times may vary depending on the destination country.
• Couples who need faster processing or tracked delivery can visit the City Clerk’s Office in person within five (5) days after the ceremony. No appointment is required, and marriage certificates are typically issued the same day.

New York City Clerk (City Hall) ceremonies have strict guest limits enforced by building security. At the time of writing, ceremonies typically allow the couple plus up to one guest (one witness). No additional guests are permitted inside the ceremony room.

Guest access rules are controlled by the City Clerk’s Office and may change without notice. Final entry permissions are always determined on the day of your appointment by City Hall staff. Because of these limitations, couples planning to include family or friends often choose to celebrate afterward with a photo session, private venue, or intimate reception.

City Clerk ceremonies typically allow:

• The couple (2 people)
• Up to 4 guests in addition to the couple

This means a total of 6 people inside the ceremony room.

This count includes:

• Your witness (required)
• Any additional guests you bring
• Possibly your photographer or videographer (they may count as one of the 4, depending on City Clerk staff and space) 
• Children under about 12 years old are often not counted in the 4‑guest limit in many venues (though individual enforcement can vary).

If you try to bring more than 4 guests (beyond the couple), they may be asked to wait outside the ceremony area due to space and security rules, especially in Manhattan, though enforcement can vary slightly by office. 

Once your marriage license is issued, your wedding ceremony does not have to take place at City Hall. Our officiant takes care of both the legal and ceremonial side of your wedding, allowing you to focus fully on the experience itself. They perform a state‑recognized, legally valid wedding ceremony and help you choose the right format — whether you prefer a civil, modern, or more personalized ceremony style. All legal requirements are carefully followed, and the marriage license is completed and signed correctly. Your officiant also guides you and your witness through the signing process (your photographer can act as a witness if needed) and personally returns the completed marriage license to the City Clerk’s Office on your behalf.

This option is ideal for couples who want a private, meaningful ceremony combined with professional planning, photography, and seamless coordination — without the stress of navigating City Hall logistics. If you prefer not to marry at City Hall, our officiant will legally marry you anywhere in New York State and smoothly integrate the ceremony into your elopement or micro‑wedding experience.

Feel free to reach out to reserve your date and officiant in advance.

If you’re looking for a simple, fast, and stress‑free way to combine a legal ceremony with professional photography, we also offer a dedicated Basic package designed specifically for this purpose. It’s an ideal option for couples who plan to get married at City Hall or with a private officiant and want beautiful photos immediately after the ceremony. This package includes a personalized legal ceremony and 1.5 hours of photography, allowing you to focus on the moment while we handle the structure, timing, and flow. This option works especially well for couples who value efficiency, clean logistics, and a polished result without a full‑scale wedding production.

Whether you are planning an intimate elopement, a micro‑wedding, or traveling to New York from abroad, this guide walks you through the legal steps of getting married in NYC. We explain how to obtain your marriage license, what to expect from the City Clerk process, how to work with an officiant, and what happens after the ceremony. Our goal is to make the process clear, structured, and stress‑free.