How to Get Married at New York City Hall

If you’re considering a New York City Hall elopement, you are not alone! Plenty of other couples have chosen to opt for a City Hall wedding in New York. We’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of how to get married at City Hall in New York. As experienced City Hall wedding photographers in New York, we’re ready to be your guide.

Getting Married at New York City Hall Post-2020

After the coronavirus pandemic hit New York in 2020, City Hall weddings in New York have changed. This article may contain previous information on getting married at city hall, but here are the current facts about it as of 2022.

The good news is that, as of now, weddings are still happening at City Hall. The bad news is that they have been modified to keep everyone safe.

Here are the current rules for getting married at City Hall:

• Both parties must have a government-issued ID
• Only the couple and their witnesses can be in the room during the ceremony
• Weddings will last for 3 minutes maximum
• There will be no music played
• Couples must exchange rings (or other symbols of marriage)
• You must book your appointment in advance

If you are interested in getting married at City Hall, be sure to book your appointment in advance. The process is simple, but you will need to bring all the required documentation with you.

City Hall weddings offer a unique and intimate experience, and they are still a valid way to get married in New York City. We love capturing these romantic moments at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau, even if they are less spontaneous than before.

Can I Get Married at City Hall in New York?

You can get married at City Hall in New York City. There are many reasons why couples choose to have a New York City Hall wedding. Some couples want to elope and keep their marriage celebration private. Other couples want to get married ahead of their wedding for personal reasons.

Whatever the case may be, you can certainly have a New York city hall wedding. Some couples even elope at City Hall in New York first, then save up for a big wedding celebration down the line. People travel from afar to elope in New York City and make beautiful memories. Let’s explore more about how to get married at City Hall in New York.

What is a New York City Hall Wedding Like?

The process is fairly streamlined at the Manhattan City Hall. These marriage ceremonies are relatively quick and easy for eloping couples. City Hall events are fairly low-key, so you have a lot of room to be creative. If you’re considering an New York City Hall elopement but don’t know how it works, read on for a step-by-step guide.

The Process for a City Hall Wedding New York

We’ve outlined what happens at a City Hall wedding in New York City below:

• Get a marriage license at the County Clerk’s office and wait at least 24 hours
• Arrive at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau
• Wait in line to enter (usually only on particularly busy days)
• Go through security, a quick and easy process
• Check in with your witness – make sure that everyone brings an ID!
• Receive your number from the front desk
• Wait for your number to be called to sign paperwork
• Once the paperwork is signed, wait for your number to be called again
• The second time your number is called, you’ll move to a different waiting area for a room
• They will call you by name to be married in a private room
• New York City Hall does two private ceremonies at a time in separate rooms
• Have your short civil ceremony (under 5 minutes!)
• You’re married!

Where is the Marriage Bureau to Get Married at City Hall?

The New York marriage bureau is located at 141 Worth Street in Manhattan. There are nearby trains including the J, Z stops at Canal St or Chambers St, or the 4, 5, 6 at Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall station. You can also get to your New York City Hall wedding via the N, Q, R, W line at Canal St station or the A, C lines at Chambers St station.

The Office of the City Clerk in Manhattan is open from 8:30 AM to 3:45 PM, Monday through Friday. Marriage ceremonies are held during these hours. You cannot make appointments in advance and you must arrive at the same time. Couples cannot have one party arrive and wait, then the other show up.

If you’re having friends and family show up to your New York courthouse wedding, make sure they show up at the same time as you! You’ll want them to come in with you as a party. 

 

Can I Get Married on the Weekend at New York City Hall?

One big question for couples is whether you can get married on a Saturday at New York City Hall. The Marriage Bureau is only open from Monday to Friday, so you cannot get married on the weekend at New York City Hall. If you want to elope on the weekend in New York, consider eloping in a private ceremony elsewhere.

How Many Witnesses Do I Need to Get Married in New York?

You only need one witness to get married at New York City Hall. If you are planning a New York City Hall wedding, make sure that your witness arrives at the same time as you. You cannot get a number to wait without a witness. This is important to remember in case your witness is running late.

How Long Does it Take to Get Married at New York City Hall?

It will usually take about 2 to 3 hours tops to get married at City Hall in New York. If you want your New York City Hall wedding to be faster, show up earlier and on an off-day. For example, many couples want to get married on specific dates (like 02/20/2020 for example) and those dates are going to be very busy.

The wait time does vary based on time of day, day of the week. Friday afternoons are likely to be busier than Tuesday mornings, for example. If you can take some time off work on a weekday morning, go for a mid-week wedding. 

How to Get Legally Married in New York

To get married legally in New York you must get a marriage license from the City Clerk. The fee for a marriage license is $35, which you can pay via credit card or money order. After you get the marriage license, it’s time to plan your New York City Hall wedding!

Can I Get Married in One Day in NY?

After obtaining your marriage license in New York, you have to wait for 24 hours. Same-day marriage in New York is not possible. You may get a Judicial Waiver in special circumstances for this waiting period, but otherwise you must wait exactly 24 hours. If you get your marriage license at 10:05 AM, you must wait until at least 10:05 AM the following day to get married.

What Documents Do I Need to Get Married in New York?

You can apply for a marriage license online to speed up the process, which then has to be completed in person at the Office of the City Clerk. Both you and your fiancé have to show up in person to complete the process. You’ll need to bring at least one form of proper identification and be able to show proof of age.

How Long is a Marriage License Good for in NY?

Your marriage license in New York will be valid for 60 days, and can be used anywhere in New York State. You can’t get a marriage license in NY and use it in a different state. If your time runs out, you must obtain a new marriage license from the Office of the City Clerk.

How Much Does a City Hall Wedding Cost in New York?

To get married at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau in New York is $25. You can pay this via credit card or money order. All other costs for the wedding will be up to you! It depends on what you want to wear, if you want flowers, if you want a New York City Hall wedding photographer and so on.

Do I Need a Bouquet for a Courthouse Wedding?

You don’t need a bouquet for a courthouse wedding. That being said, having a bouquet at your New York City Hall wedding can make it feel like more of a “wedding”. You can pick out a bouquet yourself, or some florists even do City Hall bouquets. There are also usually vendors who sell floral bouquets right outside the Marriage Bureau, in case you make a last-minute decision.

Do You Need Rings to Get Married in Court?

You don’t need rings to get married in a New York courthouse. They will offer to let you exchange rings, but you don’t have to have them. Not all couples choose to wear rings. Some couples don’t have their rings ready for their City Hall wedding, but will have them for their bigger wedding down the road.

How Do I Find a New York City Hall Wedding Photographer?

Having a City Hall wedding photographer in New York is a fantastic idea. Capturing your intimate wedding in New York can make for lifelong memories. Consider having a photographer for your City Hall New York wedding to remember that wonderful day you eloped with your spouse.

What’s Involved in New York City Hall Wedding Photography?

Your New York City Hall wedding photographer should follow you throughout the whole process. They will show up with you at the courthouse, and sometimes they will even act as your witness! While you wait for your number to be called, you can take photos with your photographer. After you’re officially married, you’ll then have time to take some beautiful elopement photos in New York City.

Some couples may have a small “reception” later on with friends and family. Your New York City Hall wedding photographer can also show up to this occasion to document the happy memories. For these intimate wedding parties, having a brunch or lunch reception afterward is a lot of fun! Your family and friends will be so happy to celebrate with you.

Where Can You Take New York City Hall Wedding Photos?

For your New York City Hall wedding, there are plenty of places to take photos after. Right outside the courthouse is a great place to start! Documenting where you two tie the knot is important to your story. The Manhattan Marriage Bureau is located right near the Brooklyn Bridge, which is a perfect opportunity for some iconic New York elopement photos.

City Hall Park can also make for some beautiful photos. If you’d like photos on a grand staircase, there are several within blocks of the marriage bureau. You can also opt to go to a location like Central Park, Dumbo, or the Flatiron District. 

Working with experienced New York City Hall elopement photographers allows you the best possible experience for your photos. Though City Hall weddings are a smaller occasion than a typical wedding, the memories are just as wonderful. Your photographers should be able to direct you for some beautiful New York courthouse wedding photos.

How Much Does New York Courthouse Wedding Photography Cost?

The cost of New York Courthouse wedding photography varies depending on the needs of the day. Reach out to your Hudson Valley & New York photographers to ask about what their options are. Typically, they will have packages for courthouse elopements that will suit your needs. Some couples don’t need extensive portraits taken after their New York civil ceremony, while others want to make a day of it!