White Plains Marriage License

White Plains marriage license applications go through the City Clerk's office at City Hall on Main Street. Couples who want to get married in New York State can walk into the White Plains clerk's office and apply together in person. The city sits in the heart of Westchester County, making it a handy spot for couples from the lower Hudson Valley region. You do not need to live in White Plains or even in Westchester County to apply here. The clerk handles new license applications and also keeps past marriage records on file for those who need certified copies down the road.

White Plains Marriage License Filing

Marriage licenses in White Plains are filed through Westchester County. The White Plains City Clerk is the issuing office, but other town and city clerks across Westchester County can also issue them. You are not limited to the clerk in the town where you live. Under DRL Section 13, any couple can get a marriage license from any town or city clerk in the state, regardless of where they plan to hold the ceremony.

Westchester County is home to several cities and towns that each have their own clerk. White Plains serves as the county seat, so many county offices sit here too. The Westchester County Clerk's office at 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. handles land records, court filings, and document authentication. But marriage licenses are a separate matter. Those come from the city or town clerk, not the county clerk. This is a common point of confusion in New York, and it matters because you need to go to the right office when you apply.

Note: The Westchester County Clerk does not issue marriage licenses; only city and town clerks within the county can do that.

How to Get a Marriage License in White Plains

Both partners must show up together at the White Plains City Clerk's office. The office is at City Hall, 255 Main Street, White Plains, NY 10601. You can reach them at (914) 422-1202. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport, along with an original birth certificate that shows your parents' names. The birth certificate must have a raised seal. Have your Social Security number ready too.

If you were married before, bring a certified copy of your final divorce decree or a death certificate for your former spouse. All prior marriages need to be fully resolved before you can apply for a new White Plains marriage license. Foreign language documents must come with a certified English translation. The fee is $40. The clerk processes your application and issues the license that same day, but a 24-hour waiting period kicks in per DRL Section 13-b. You cannot get married on the same day you pick up the license.

The screenshot below shows the White Plains City Clerk's website with details on city services and contact information.

The City Clerk's page lists office hours and available services including marriage license applications for White Plains residents and visitors.

Your White Plains marriage license stays valid for 60 days and works anywhere in New York State. Active military personnel get 180 days instead of the standard 60. No blood test or medical exam is needed anywhere in New York.

After the White Plains Wedding Ceremony

After your wedding, the officiant must return the signed marriage license to the issuing clerk's office within five days. This is true whether your ceremony takes place in White Plains or somewhere else in the state. The officiant, both spouses, and at least one witness all sign the license during the ceremony. Per DRL Section 14, the clerk fills out the license and hands it to the couple, who then pass it to their officiant for the big day.

Under Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law, several types of people can perform your ceremony. Judges, mayors, ordained clergy, and designated marriage officers all qualify. New York also allows one-day marriage officiant licenses, meaning a friend or family member can get authorized to perform your ceremony. Once the signed license comes back to the White Plains City Clerk, the office files it with the New York State Department of Health. You should receive a Certificate of Marriage Registration in the mail within about 20 days after filing. That certificate is your proof the marriage is on record.

Note: Your marriage ceremony can happen anywhere in New York State, not just in White Plains or Westchester County.

White Plains Marriage License Copies

You can get a certified copy of your White Plains marriage license from the city clerk who originally issued it. The fee is $10 per copy. Bring a photo ID and pay in person, or mail a written request. Include both spouses' names, the date of the marriage, and a check or money order for $10 payable to the White Plains City Clerk. Mail it to 255 Main Street, White Plains, NY 10601.

The New York State Department of Health also provides certified copies for $30 each. Processing takes 10 to 12 weeks through the state. Priority handling adds $15 to the base fee. For faster service, VitalChek offers rush orders at a higher cost. If your marriage record is over 50 years old and both spouses are deceased, the NYS Department of Health genealogy section handles those requests for researchers and family members looking into historical records.

Westchester County also has records related to authentications and apostilles. If you need to use your marriage record for business outside the United States, the county clerk's office at 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. can authenticate your document for $3 per copy. After that, the New York Department of State handles the apostille step for $10 per document.

White Plains City Clerk Contact

The White Plains City Clerk handles a range of city records and services. In addition to marriage licenses, the office deals with birth and death certificates, dog licenses, and other vital records. If you need help with a marriage license application or want to get a copy of an older record, call ahead to confirm current hours and any appointment requirements. Walk-ins are generally accepted, but it helps to call first during busy periods.

For couples who need to use their White Plains marriage license internationally, the authentication process starts at the Westchester County Clerk in White Plains at (914) 995-3070, then goes to the New York Department of State for an apostille. This is a two-step process, so plan ahead if you need documents for use abroad.

Nearby Cities

These cities and towns near White Plains also issue marriage licenses through their local clerks.