How to Officiate a Wedding in Syracuse, New York

When we think of New York, rarely do we picture scenic beauty and comfortable, small cities. Known for it’s all-season fun, Syracuse has everything from hiking to waterfalls in the summer to becoming a snowy wonderland in the winter. Centrally located, Syracuse is easy for your entire family to get together. This makes Syracuse one of New York’s hidden gems for hosting a wedding.  Everybody is sure to enjoy the boutiques, museums, and modern streets that the city has to offer, but you will only be minutes from hiking trails and picturesque adventures. If you have your wedding here, you will love it!

While you are here, make sure to check out Armory Square for nightlife, dining, and shopping. As you are out and about, we recommend looking at a couple of our top picks for wedding venues: Eve's Carriage Barn for a rustic and unique space, or Sky Armory for a modern venue in the heart of downtown. Let’s take a deep dive into what the couple and future officiant must do to have the perfect wedding in Syracuse.

STEP 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries

The ordainment process is easy and stress-free. If you are getting married in the state of New York, marriage laws state that any “clergyman or minister of any religion” is able to solemnize a marriage. If you get ordained with AMM, you will easily fulfill these requirements. The process is free and only takes a couple minutes.

As long as you are performing the marriage outside of New York City, there isn’t any additional paperwork that needs to be filed with a government office. You are all set to perform marriages anywhere in the state once you are ordained with AMM. If you are thinking about heading to NYC to perform the ceremony, keep in mind that there will be additional paperwork to file, but there are no additional steps in Syracuse.

STEP 2: Prepare for the ceremony in Onondaga County

If you have been asked by the couple to officiate the ceremony, then we are sure you already know how special of an honor this is. You are probably feeling excited, but also a little overwhelmed or nervous. Don’t panic - AMM has all the info you need to rock the ceremony!

If this is your first time officiating a ceremony, check out our wedding training pages. Everything you need to know can be found there, from sample wedding ceremony scripts and brainstorming prompts to tips for preparation and more.

STEP 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License

One of the most important steps to completing the marriage is obtaining the marriage license and filling it out. This will be the responsibility of the couple, so your only job will be to remind them to have it with them on the big day, make sure the info is correct, and sign it after the ceremony.

The marriage license will need to be returned to the local county clerk’s office before it expires. Marriage licenses in New York are valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. On the day of the wedding, you will want to make sure the license is valid and used within the 60-day time frame. Pay special attention to make sure all the names and dates are accurate when signing the document.

Once this is done, reward yourself with a bit to eat from Dinosaur BBQ -  voted as the best BBQ place in America on Good Morning America Weekend.

The couple is solely responsible for applying for the marriage license from the Office of the City Clerk. This step is relatively easy and quick. The marriage license is issued immediately, but the couple must wait 24 hours before they are able to use it. The officiant and the couple must ensure that the license is used more than 1 day but less than 60 from the time of issuance.

Both parties must appear in person to the City Clerk’s office and present proof of age. Any form of government issued ID will be accepted. If you have been married before, make sure to bring certified proof as to how the marriage ended. While no appointment is necessary, it is a good idea to call ahead of time - (315) 448-8005. They will also be able to answer any remaining questions you may have about the registration process.

The Office of the City Clerk is located at 233 East Washington Street Syracuse, NY 13202.

When you go, just remember to:

• Bring License Fee of $40 (payable in cash, check, or money order).
• One form of valid, government issued photo ID (driver's License, state ID, passport, military ID, etc.).
• Double check your marriage qualifications (i.e. 18 years of age and proof of previous marriages dissolved).

That’s all there is! Just make sure to complete it and bring it back before it expires.

The Basics

Syracuse is the perfect combination of quiet suburb and big-city life, with a sprinkling of New York’s natural beauty. There are year-round festivals and activities in Syracuse. Check out over 8000 stylish cars in the Syracuse National Car Show or have some “wine-slushies” and some fried butter at the New York State Fair (one of the largest fairs in the nation). For the foodies in your family, go snag a bite to eat at the Crawfish Festival, the Bacon Festival (Yum!), or visit during the Taste of Syracuse. Keep in mind that all the festivals and summer activities might make it more difficult to secure your dream venue, so make sure you plan around the busy seasons.

Syracuse will be the dream destination for the happy couple. Here are our top two picks for the best wedding venues in the city:

If you want your guests to experience pure, modern elegance, Sky Armory is the place to be. Located in downtown Syracuse, the three story venue can house up to 900 guests. The combination of exposed rafters, accented brick walls, and industrial stylings gives the building a chic taste. With wedding planners on-site, made from scratch food, and a variety of tasty wines, their mission is to fix all the pet peeves people experience with other venues. You can’t go wrong with this choice.

For a more eclectic and rustic choice, have a look at Eve's Carriage Barn. This unique building was erected in 1866 and has an old-American feel to it. The 19th-century hand hewn post and beam construction with high-ceilings and plank floors give weddings a spacious and hometown vibe. Be prepared to leave this place with a sense of awe because there are few venues that can match the one-of-a-kind splendor this old building provides.

Transportation

Syracuse is easily drivable. Since it is not as big as other cities in the state, there is minimal traffic. It will be very easy for your guests to drive, and rideshare services like Lyft and Uber are quickly accessible. The streets are walkable, and if you want to get some exercise, the Gotcha bike-sharing program lets you rent an electric bike from your phone.

Weather

Summertime and Autumn are arguably the best times to visit Syracuse. While any season in New York will be a great time to host a wedding, these times of the year will be the busiest. Fall brings with it picturesque photo opportunities as the leaves change, but with summer sun comes fun. Early summer has the lowest chance of rain if you are hoping to have an outdoor wedding, and late summer is the busiest time for tourists.