WEDDING GUIDE - New York City Hall

How to get married at New York City Hall


This is an easy guide on how to plan yourself for your wedding day in the most amazing city in the world. Ready ?

Process


  1. Apply for marriage license (online or in-person) 
  2. Go to appointment with city clerk to verify application information and create license (online or in-person) 
  3. Go to marriage ceremony at City Hall to receive your marriage certificate (in-person) 


Marriage License


The marriage license is a form that can be completed online or in-person, and requires a city clerk to oversee the process.


Once you made a marriage license appointment with city clerk you will receive your marriage license on the same day.


Note that the appointment must be at least 24 hours before your ceremony and no more than 60 days before the ceremony.



Marriage Ceremony


The ceremony is in-person and you will require a witness with you.


Note that you must bring a hard copy of your license to the ceremony.


At the end of your ceremony, you will receive your marriage certificate!!!! (this is your legal proof that you are now married.)


example of a marriage license

Wedding License Process


You or your partner will need to create an NYC ID account.

If you have a NY driver's license, you might already have an account. Make sure to check that.


Wedding License Process


You or your partner will need to create an NYC ID account.

If you have a NY driver's license, you might already have an account. Make sure to check that.


Now it's time to go to Project Cupid and select either "Marriage License (in-person)" OR "Marriage License (virtual)."


You will need to fill out basic information about you such as: your name, DOB, address, parents name, country/state of birth, etc. In case of previous divorce, you will need to list information about previous marriage(s) as well.

Repeat for your partner. 

Submit. 


TIME TO PICK A DATE

scheduling a call with city clerk


Pick a date where you will both be able to physically be in the same room, as this is required for virtual appointments. For in person meetings, you both will just need to show up on time.


On the date and time of your appointment, log back into Project Cupid, (if you are doing it in person, just make sure to have a form of ID with you and be on time) where you will see a link to join an MS Teams call with the City Clerk. 


You and your partner need to physically be in the same room. You both will have to appear in camera with audio working, make sure to check your device before your call. HAVE AN ID WITH YOU AT ALL THE TIME  


The clerk will review all the information you submitted online in your application, and then confirm your identities and ask you to hold your IDs up to the camera. 


To finish, they will generate a marriage license that is emailed to whoever booked the appointment. 


Your ceremony can take place anywhere between 24 hours after receiving this license to 60 days after receiving the license.


On the day of your ceremony, if you did this process virtually, you must print your license and bring it with you to City Hall. 




TIME TO PICK A DATE

scheduling a call with city clerk


Pick a date where you will both be able to physically be in the same room, as this is required for virtual appointments. For in person meetings, you both will just need to show up on time.


On the date and time of your appointment, log back into Project Cupid, (if you are doing it in person, just make sure to have a form of ID with you and be on time) where you will see a link to join an MS Teams call with the City Clerk. 


You and your partner need to physically be in the same room. You both will have to appear in camera with audio working, make sure to check your device before your call. HAVE AN ID WITH YOU AT ALL THE TIME  


The clerk will review all the information you submitted online in your application, and then confirm your identities and ask you to hold your IDs up to the camera. 


To finish, they will generate a marriage license that is emailed to whoever booked the appointment. 


Your ceremony can take place anywhere between 24 hours after receiving this license to 60 days after receiving the license.


On the day of your ceremony, if you did this process virtually, you must print your license and bring it with you to City Hall. 




Example of a Marriage Certificate

WEDDING CEREMONY

You can schedule your ceremony before you have your license


If you don't have my license yet, you can still book your date to make sure you have it locked in. Just make sure you submit your application and get your license before showing up to the ceremony. 

(confirm with city clerk the amount of time in advance this can be made)

Scheduling your Ceremony

Schedule your Wedding Ceremony by going to Project Cupid and clicking "Marriage Ceremony (in person)". 



To book the date, you need: 


  1. Your name and email 
  2. Your partner's name and email 
  3. Your witness's name 


When scheduling your ceremony you will be able to choose your time slots that are available Mon-Fri from 8:30am-11:30am and 1pm-3:30pm.


They releases dates 2 weeks in advance, so if there's a specific date you want, keep checking back about 2 weeks beforehand. 



Arriving at the City Clerk


Make sure to bring water and light snacks. Inside the building, there's no water fountains and/or vending machines. I know you might be nervous on the day of your wedding. For that reason, is always a good idea to have something small to eat and some water to keep yourself hydrated.

Also, make sure to bring a folder to keep your marriage certificate safe.

Things you will need at the

New York City Hall




The most important:

Me as your amazing photographer with you, capturing your day so you can enjoy the moment.




  1. You and your partner + photo IDs 
  2. Hard copy of marriage license 
  3. Your witness + their photo ID (I can act as your witness if you wanted me to)
  4. You will also need to pay another $35 fee for the certificate, which you can do by credit card 


Things you will need at the

New York City Hall




The most important:

Me as your amazing photographer with you, capturing your day so you can enjoy the moment.




  1. You and your partner + photo IDs 
  2. Hard copy of marriage license 
  3. Your witness + their photo ID (I can act as your witness if you wanted me to)
  4. You will also need to pay another $35 fee for the certificate, which you can do by credit card 


You are allowed to bring a total of 4 (four) people with you in addition to the couple getting married.

This includes your photographer and your witness

Lobby


This is where you will show your appointment confirmation and ID, along with your witness. If it's early in the day you might be able to go in fast but if you scheduled your appointment later in the day you might experience some delay and a line to go in. (It varies day by day)

Security Check


As long as you don't have weapons on you, you should be fine. You cannot take any photos in the direction of the security check. 

First Kiosk


Here is where you show your appointment confirmation, your partner and your ID's along with your witnesses as well. They will give you a number like A22 or C14. Hold on to that number. 

Feel free to take photos after these steps

there's the city hall backdrop where you can get photos with your guests

HEAR YOUR NUMBER BEING CALLED


Remember that number that you received in the entrance ? Make sure you pay attention to when it's called. it can move very quickly

HEAR YOUR NUMBER BEING CALLED


Remember that number that you received in the entrance ? Make sure you pay attention to when it's called. it can move very quickly

C203 at window 12


It's time... You will go to a second kiosk. Here you will need :


  1. Your marriage license
  2. Photo ID's
  3. Witness and their ID's


Here is also when you pay your license fee. BE IN THE MOMENT - this is where they print your marriage certificate and where YOU SIGN IT.


This is when things are REAL. Take your time, breathe, hold your partner, it's almost time for your ceremony.

Once everything is signed and ready - Time for the Ceremony


You will receive your number back and you will need to wait to be called by the same number or your name. Here's where things go smoothly and fast. Take in all the emotions, look at your partner, you will remember this day forever (I will make sure that you have the best photos of this moment)

Now you are MARRIED!!


Here we will take amazing photos of you celebrating the after ceremony and get your newly wed photos.


If you are having a session with me after, I will remind you to use the restroom (most places around the city hall don't have restrooms available so we take advantage of that) and we are off ready to go capture your beautiful photos.


Here's some places we can go after your ceremony:


  1. Central Park
  2. Brooklyn Bridge
  3. DUMBO
  4. West Village
  5. Hotel
  6. Tribeca
  7. Restaurant
  8. Times Square
  9. Top of the Rock
  10. The Edge
  11. Coney Island


and more...

GET MARRIED IN NEW YORK CITY

book a session

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