With stunning wedding venues like the Metropolitan Building, it’s no surprise New York City is one of theknot.com’s top U.S. locations for destination weddings.

Whether you are a native of NYC or are traveling there for your wedding, your wedding officiant may or may not have performed marriages in New York City before. New York State Law requires anyone performing a marriage ceremony within New York City to register with the City Clerk, so it is important to check with your officiant if they are registered.

Who is Eligible to Register?

Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law of the State of New York defines who may perform marriage ceremonies within New York State. Generally, anyone in these categories may register:

• Clergy members or ministers of any religion
• Leaders of the Society of Ethical Culture
• The mayor or any former mayor of the City of New York
• Federal, state, or local judges or justices, elected or appointed in the State of New York, who are currently serving or retired
• The Clerk of the Appellate Division of the First or Second Department
• The county clerk of any of the five counties in the City of New York

How Does One Register?

You may submit an application online then visit the Manhattan office of the city clerk to complete it during regular business hours, or you can mail in your application materials.

You will need to bring proper identification and the documentation required for your specific category of officiant, as listed on the City Clerk website.

If you are not a New York City resident, you can mail the signed and notarized application, a photocopy of your proper application, and your fee of $15 by money order payable to the city clerk.

There is a $15 registration fee to be a wedding officiant in New York City, which can be paid by credit card (in-person registration only) or money order payable to the city clerk.

Your registration is complete once you have signed the registry and you have received a Certificate of Registration with your registration identification number.

If you are already registered as a marriage officiant in New York City and have moved, you are required to provide a change of address before performing your next ceremony.

For more information on requirements for wedding officiants in New York City, click here.