New York County Marriage License
New York County covers the borough of Manhattan in New York City. Marriage licenses here are not handled by a county clerk or town clerk like in the rest of the state. Instead, the NYC City Clerk runs the entire process through its Marriage Bureau. Couples who want to get a marriage license in Manhattan go to the City Clerk's office at 141 Worth Street. The system works differently from upstate counties, so if you plan to wed in Manhattan, you need to know how NYC handles marriage license applications and what the City Clerk needs from you before your visit.
New York County Overview
NYC City Clerk Marriage License Office
The NYC City Clerk handles all marriage licenses for New York County. This is a big difference from the rest of the state, where town and city clerks take care of it. In Manhattan, you go to the Marriage Bureau at 141 Worth Street. The office sits between Centre Street and Hamill Place, close to City Hall. Hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. You can call (212) 639-9675 with questions. Under DRL Section 13, every couple who plans to wed in New York must first get a marriage license from a clerk before the ceremony.
The fee for a marriage license in New York County is $35. That is lower than the $40 fee charged by most town and city clerks across the state. NYC sets its own rate. Both partners must show up in person. You need valid photo ID and proof of age. A birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers will work. If you were married before, bring your final divorce decree or a death certificate for a prior spouse. No blood test is needed. The 24-hour waiting period still applies per DRL Section 13-b, though a judge can waive it. Your license stays good for 60 days after the clerk issues it.
| Office | NYC City Clerk - Manhattan |
|---|---|
| Address |
141 Worth Street New York, NY 10013 |
| Phone | (212) 639-9675 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:45 PM |
| Fee | $35.00 |
The New York County Clerk at 60 Centre Street does not issue marriage licenses. That office deals with court records, civil filings, and property documents. Do not go there for a marriage license. The County Clerk phone number is (646) 386-5955, but they will redirect you to the City Clerk for any marriage license questions.
Note: NYC marriage license appointments can be booked online through the Project Cupid system at nyc.gov/cupid.
How to Get a Marriage License in Manhattan
Getting a marriage license in New York County starts with booking an appointment. The City Clerk uses a system called Project Cupid for online scheduling. You pick a date and time, fill out the application online, and then show up at 141 Worth Street with your partner and your documents. Walk-ins are sometimes possible, but appointments move faster and guarantee you a spot. The whole process takes about 30 minutes if your paperwork is in order.
Both people must be at least 18 years old. If one person is 17, written consent from both parents plus a judge's approval is needed. No one under 17 can get a marriage license in New York. Bring your original birth certificate with a raised seal, plus a current photo ID. Expired documents will not be accepted. All foreign documents must come with a certified English translation. The clerk checks everything, takes payment of $35, and prints your license on the spot.
After you get the license, the 24-hour wait begins. You cannot have your ceremony until the next day. Your license is valid for 60 days anywhere in New York State. If one of you is active military, it lasts 180 days. Under Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law, judges, mayors, clergy, and other authorized officiants can perform the ceremony. The City Clerk's office also does civil ceremonies right there in the building for an extra $25.
The screenshot below shows the NYC Project Cupid appointment system where you can book your marriage license visit. Visit the Project Cupid portal to schedule your appointment.
This portal lets you pick a date, fill in your information, and reserve a time slot at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau.
New York County Marriage License Copies
After your wedding, the officiant signs the marriage license and sends it back to the City Clerk. The clerk files it and mails you a Certificate of Marriage Registration within a few weeks. That certificate is your proof of marriage. If you need extra certified copies, you can get them from the City Clerk's office or from the New York State Department of Health. The City Clerk charges $15 per copy. The state charges $30 and takes 10 to 12 weeks for regular processing.
For faster service from the state, priority handling costs an extra $15 per certificate. Rush orders through VitalChek ship in about five business days but carry additional fees. To order from the City Clerk directly, go to the office in person with your photo ID. You can also mail a written request with a notarized letter, the names of both spouses, the date of the ceremony, and a check for $15. Mail requests go to the NYC City Clerk, 141 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013.
Note: Marriage records filed in New York City before 1930 are held by the NYC Municipal Archives, not the City Clerk.
New York County Clerk and Court Records
The New York County Clerk sits at 60 Centre Street in lower Manhattan. This office handles Supreme Court civil case filings, property records, and other court documents. It has nothing to do with marriage licenses. The County Clerk Archives at 31 Chambers Street, 7th Floor, holds older court files and land records. Hours there run Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The phone number for the archives is (646) 386-5395. If you need a divorce record from New York County Supreme Court, that is where you would look.
The Supreme Court Record Room is in Room 103B at 60 Centre Street and operates from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This is where you find case files for civil actions filed in Manhattan. DRL Section 14 spells out the duties of the town or city clerk in filling out and issuing the marriage license form. In New York County, the City Clerk fills that role, not the County Clerk. Keep that distinction in mind so you go to the right office. It can save you time and a wasted trip downtown.
Marriage License History in New York County
Manhattan has some of the oldest vital records in the state. The NYC Municipal Archives holds marriage records going back to the mid-1800s. The New York State Archives has indexes to marriage records from 1881 onward for the state outside New York City. For Manhattan records, the Municipal Archives at 31 Chambers Street is the right place. They maintain birth, death, and marriage records from the five boroughs before the state took over centralized record keeping.
The NY.gov marriage guide has a helpful overview of the statewide process. For genealogy searches, the NYS Department of Health genealogy section offers uncertified copies of marriage records on file for 50 or more years when both spouses are known to be deceased. The fee is $22 for a search of one to three years. Processing can take eight months or longer. The New York State Library also holds genealogy resources, including microfilm indexes to marriage records across the state.
Note: NYC marriage records are separate from the statewide system and must be requested from the City Clerk or Municipal Archives.
Cities in New York County
New York County is the same as the borough of Manhattan. It is one of five boroughs that make up New York City. All marriage licenses here go through the NYC City Clerk.
Nearby Counties
These counties border New York County or share the New York City system. Each one has its own clerk who handles marriage license filings.