New York State Marriage License

Added: 11/07/2005

Getting married in New York State requires little more than a marriage license, a legal marriage official and photo identification for both parties. Filing for marriage license can be done in any town or city clerk's office. A 24-hour waiting period before marriage begins at the time of application though this can be waived for couples over the age of 16. Marriage licenses obtained outside of New York City cost $40 and ones obtained inside of the city cost $30.

Getting married in the State of New York can be easy if you know ahead of time all of the regulations regarding marriage within the state. Many couples are pleased with the quick turn around of issuing the New York state marriage license and the waiting periods involved. If you are over the age of 18 there will be little or no waiting periods before reciting your marriage vows. People under the age of 18 will have a few more obstacles that have to be resolved before a license can be issued. Parents of people under the age of 18 have to be physically present to give a clerk their permission for their child to marry. The minimum age for marriage in New York is 14. Those under the age of 18 will have to wait 24 hours from the New York state date stamp on the marriage license application.

The cost for obtaining a New York state marriage license is $30 if you live in New York City and $40 if you live outside of the city. A New York state marriage license is good for 60 days beginning the day after it was issued with a New York state date stamp.

Assuming you are of age and want to be married in the state of New York you will need to provide a city or town clerk with your photo I.D. and another form of identification such as a passport, driver's license, immigration record or employment picture I.D. If either person requesting a license has been married previously they will need to provide a certified copy of the Decree of Divorce or a Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage to the clerk when filing.

People that cannot marry each other in the state of New York include a brother and a sister whether they are half-blooded or not, an uncle and niece or an aunt and nephew, or any ancestor and their descendant.

Marriages and marriage ceremonies can take place anywhere within the state of New York once a state marriage license has been issued. An official must preside over the ceremony and can either be an ordained clergy member or an authorized public official. There also has to be at least one witness but there is no age restriction on the witness. It is advised that the witness be old enough to testify in court if it is needed in the future.

No blood tests or physical exams are required in order to obtain a New York state marriage license.

After a couple has obtained a marriage license they are free to plan for their wedding in any way that they choose. There are many historic and picturesque places to have a wedding in New York. Upstate New York has many places to have a wedding including destinations weddings in the Fingerlakes Wine Region, olde English weddings in Geneva On The Lake, romantic getaways such as Niagara Falls and quaint towns on beautiful lakes including Chatauqua or Hammondsport.

Brides to be will have plenty of wedding themes to choose from in the state of New York. Popular themes in New York City are traditional and Edwardian themed weddings that are very elegant. Upstate brides may choose country style weddings using Amish quilts from local settlements to set the tone for their special day. Brides in the far north may take their cue from the French when planning their weddings. No matter which location or theme a bride chooses, a New York state marriage celebration is sure to be a memorable one.

Rate this article:

Bad

Good

Article comments:

No comments for this article yet. Post your comment now!

Return to top of the page