Photo: Ivan Uriarte, Flickr Creative Commons

The last few weeks before your wedding can be a hectic time. You’re trying to finalize all the little details of flowers, caterers, and dress fittings. It’s enough to have anyone feeling frazzled! But the one thing you absolutely cannot forget is your marriage license.

When getting your marriage license in Manhattan, you need to be aware of waiting periods and how long your license is valid. You may want to get your license early, since a license is valid for 60 days from date of issuance. However, you then run the risk of losing or misplacing the license.

It is generally advised to get your marriage license closer to your wedding date, but don’t wait too long: there is a 24-hour waiting period before your ceremony can be performed. If you need to be married before the 24-hour waiting period is over, you must request a judicial waver.

You do not have to be a New York resident to obtain a license, so if you are traveling from out of state, be sure to arrive in enough time to get your Manhattan marriage license. Also be sure to contact your local borough clerk’s office to find out on what days and during what hours the clerk will be in the office.

For the application itself, you and your future spouse will need to appear in person at one of the borough offices of the City Clerk of New York. The fee for a Manhattan marriage license is $35. You will also have to provide the following information:

Name
Current Address
Country of birth
Date of birth
Name of your parents and their country of birth
Social Security number
Marital history

If you were previously married, the date of your divorce or the date of your spouse’s death must be provided. Bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. All divorces, annulments, and dissolutions must be finalized before you apply for a new Manhattan Marriage License.

You also have to provide proper identification. Eight forms of identification are accepted, provided they are current and valid:

Driver’s License with photograph (from the United States of America or any of its territories)
Non-Driver Identification Card with photograph (from United States of America or any of its territories)
Learner’s Permit with photograph (from United States of America or any of its territories)
Active United States Military Identification Card
Passport
United States Certificate of Naturalization (good for 10 years after date of issue)
United States Permanent Resident Card
United States Employment Authorization Card

Once you have your Manhattan marriage license, you are one step closer to your wedding day. Check it off your to-do list and breathe a sigh of relief!