New York, New York Wedding Guide
Become a Wedding Officiant in New York as an AMM Ordained Minister. Learn more about getting ordained in New York, officiant training, wedding ceremony planning, and more.
Become a Wedding Officiant in New York as an AMM Ordained Minister. Learn more about getting ordained in New York, officiant training, wedding ceremony planning, and more.
So you're getting married in The Big Apple! American Marriage Ministries is here to step you through the relatively complex process of getting married in New York City. We'll walk you through ordaining your minister of choice, help you navigate the marriage license process, and finally offer you a few tips and tricks for planning the finer details around your big day.
If you plan on performing a wedding ceremony in New York City, there are registration steps that you need to follow. You will need to register with the New York City Clerk’s Office Marriage Bureau, which handles Marriage Licenses, Domestic Partnerships, civil Marriage Ceremonies, copies of Marriage Records, and amendments of Marriage Records. But don’t worry.
We’ve broken the process down into two easy-to-follow steps, and then answered your most commonly asked questions about performing weddings in New York City. This will allow you to nail the bureaucratic stuff in a few hours, and let you concentrate on creating the perfect wedding ceremony in one of the most iconic cities in the world!
To start out with, you will need to complete a New York City Marriage Officiant Registration Application. You can begin the process with the Clerk's online application however you will have to finish the application in person at the Clerk's office. You will also need to submit:
We recommend that you begin the online process well in advance of the wedding, and order your New York Minister Ordination Package. Your package contains all the required paperwork, detailed instructions to guide you through the process, and wedding training materials to help you perform a memorable wedding ceremony.
Once you receive your package, or have assembled the materials on your own, bring your completed forms and necessary documents to the city Clerk at:
City Clerk Marriage Bureau
141 Worth St
New York, New York 10013
Based on past precedent, the registration process with the City Clerk should take not more than an hour. If you have further questions, you can contact the Marriage Bureau at:
Phone: (212) 669-8090
The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 3:45pm.
Now that the easy part is out of the way, let us help you prepare for the wedding ceremony itself. If you want to go above and beyond your duties as an officiant, check out our wedding training pages, which will help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly.
Here you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more.
When it comes time to sign the marriage license, it’s the couple’s responsibility to obtain and complete the marriage license, but just be sure to double check that they have a valid marriage license before the ceremony.
Once you have performed the ceremony and notarized the marriage license, you have performed all of your functions as the wedding officiant. Make sure that the wedding license is returned to the city clerk for filing before it expires!
For The
Couple
Below are the steps required to apply:
You can start the process online via "City Clerk Online" however the it must be completed in person at the Office of the City Clerk. Both spouses must complete the process by appearing in person at the Office of the City Clerk, together and at the same time.
Make sure to review your Marriage License to make sure there are no mistakes.
Remember to get started early. The couple must wait a full 24 hours before the Marriage Ceremony can be performed.
Listed below is the information you will need to fill out the Marriage License Application:
Issuance Office: NYC Marriage Bureau
Fee: $35
Waiting Period: 1 Day
Expiration: 60 Days
Return: Before Expiration
For The Couple
& Officiant
New York City is the most expensive city in the US for weddings, according to Wedding Wire. That means start planning early, and make sure your budget accounts for additional costs that may pop up. With the right planning, it is still possible to hold a memorable celebration, for all budgets.
It's also a busy city, with events taking place pretty much every day of the yera. Be aware of events like the New York City Marathon in November, New York Fashion Week in February and September, the Thanksgiving Day Parade and New Year’s Eve, and more. These events attract huge crowds and drive up hotel costs.
Because of its monstrosity, New York has a lot of transportation options. LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Newark International Airport are the three major airports in the area (note that LaGuardia only handles domestic flights).
It's quite easy to get into town via train or bus travel. Guests can take Amtrak into Penn Station or a bus into the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Once on the ground, it's easy to get around even if the city is a bit disorienting. The subway can get a bit crazy but it's great for people watching, and it can be an excellent way for your guests to get a feel for the city.
New York generally has cold winters, hot summers, and a mild fall and spring season.
For The Couple
& Officiant
After the wedding, the officiant should send the completed license back to the issuing city clerk's office for recording. Before you put the completed license in the mail, verify the all the signatures are on the marriage license after the wedding ceremony. The signatures of both spouses, a witness, and an eligible officiant - that’s you - must all be present for a New York City marriage license to be valid.
It is the couple’s responsibility to file for the marriage license, which they can do through the office of the City Clerk. Once the marriage license is in hand, there is a 60 day window to complete the marriage ceremony and file the license with the New York City Clerk’s Office. There is also a 24 hour waiting period following the issuance of the license during before the ceremony can take place. That’s why it’s important to schedule the licensing part off the wedding ceremony in advance!
Beginning the application process online will save the couple time when they appear at the City Clerk's office because they will not have to fill out a paper application—just be sure to bring a confirmation number.
Become a Wedding Officiant with Our Free Online Ordination!