Getting married in New York City is possible even if neither of you lives in the United States.
Every year, couples travel from Ireland, the UK, France, Italy, Australia, Canada and many other countries to get married in NYC. You do not need to be a New York resident or a U.S. citizen to obtain a New York marriage license.
However, if you are traveling specifically to get married, planning the administrative side before you arrive is very important. You need to know when to secure your Marriage Bureau appointments, how the marriage license process works, and what paperwork you may need after your wedding to use your marriage certificate in your home country.
I help international couples get married in New York City, guiding them through the entire process, from securing their Marriage License and ceremony appointments to their wedding day and the paperwork they may need afterward.
I’m Corinne JOX, a New York City wedding officiant and the founder of oui oui oui.
I help international couples get married in New York City, guiding them through the entire process, from securing their Marriage License and ceremony appointments to their wedding day and the paperwork they may need afterward.
If you are coming from Ireland, the UK, France, Italy, Australia, Canada or anywhere else in the world, I can help you understand the process and prepare before you arrive in New York.
Secure Your NYC Marriage Appointments Before You Travel
This is one of the most important things to know when planning a wedding in New York City from abroad.
The NYC City Clerk releases new appointments every Monday at 9:00 AM New York time, 3 weeks in advance.
If you already know when you will be in New York, make sure you know when your dates will become available and be ready to secure your appointments.
Do not wait until you arrive in New York.
You will need an appointment to obtain your New York marriage license.
If you want to have your wedding ceremony at the NYC Marriage Bureau, you will also need to book a separate ceremony appointment.
Popular dates and times can fill up quickly. This is especially important for international couples who have already booked flights, hotels, photographers or other wedding arrangements and have limited flexibility with their dates.
Step 1: Schedule Your Marriage License Appointment
Your first priority is securing your Marriage License appointment with the NYC City Clerk.
Appointments can fill up, especially around popular wedding dates, so this is one of the most important things to plan before your trip.
You can schedule your appointment through the official NYC City Clerk website:
Step 2: Plan Your Wedding Ceremony
Once you know when you will obtain your Marriage License, you can plan your legal wedding ceremony.
Remember that New York normally requires you to wait at least 24 hours after your Marriage License is issued before you can legally get married.
You can have your ceremony at the NYC Marriage Bureau or choose a private ceremony with an authorized wedding officiant.
If you choose a ceremony at the NYC Marriage Bureau, the ceremony fee is $25.
You will also need at least one witness.
Step 3: Complete the Online Marriage License Application
Before your Marriage License appointment, you also need to complete the NYC online Marriage License application.
The application asks for information about both partners, including your names, addresses, dates and places of birth, and information about previous marriages, if applicable.
Once you submit the application, you will receive a confirmation number. Keep this number for your Marriage License appointment.
You can complete the official online Marriage License application here:
Step 4: Get Your Marriage License
Both of you must participate in your Marriage License appointment and present valid identification.
You do not need to be a New York resident or a U.S. citizen to obtain a New York Marriage License. Foreign couples can use their valid passports as identification.
The Marriage License fee is $35.
Once your Marriage License is issued, check your names and personal information carefully before leaving.
Some couples want a very simple legal ceremony, while others want something more personal with vows, rings and their own story.
Step 5: Get Married
Once at least 24 hours have passed since your Marriage License was issued, you can have your legal wedding ceremony.
Bring the Marriage License you received at your appointment. You will also need at least one witness.
After the ceremony, the required sections of the Marriage License will be completed and signed.
Step 6: Get Your Marriage Certificate Ready for Use Abroad
After your wedding, you may need additional paperwork before your New York Marriage Certificate can be used in your home country.
Depending on the country and the purpose of the document, you may need an extended Marriage Certificate, authentication and an apostille.
If you are leaving New York shortly after your wedding, I can handle the Marriage Certificate retrieval and the required authentication or apostille process after you return home and ship the completed documents to you.
Do We Need a Witness?
Yes. You need at least one witness who is 18 years old or older for your wedding ceremony in New York.
If you are traveling to New York by yourselves and do not have someone who can be your witness, I also offer a professional wedding witness service in NYC.
I can help make sure you have everything you need for your wedding day.
What Happens After the Wedding?
After your ceremony, your completed marriage license needs to be returned to the NYC City Clerk so your marriage can be officially recorded.
For international couples, there may be additional steps after this.
Depending on your country and what you need to use your marriage certificate for, you may need to obtain a particular version of your NYC marriage certificate and have it certified for use abroad.
This is something I recommend checking before you travel so you know exactly what you will need after your wedding.
Using Your NYC Marriage Certificate Abroad
If you are planning to use your New York City marriage certificate in your home country, you should check what the authority receiving the document requires.
You may need an extended marriage certificate for foreign use.
If your country participates in the Hague Apostille Convention and the authority receiving your document requires legalization, you may also need an Apostille.
For countries where the Apostille Convention does not apply, a different Authentication process may be required.
Requirements vary by country and by the purpose for which you are presenting your marriage certificate, so it is important to confirm what is required.
Extended Marriage Certificate and Apostille
If you need an Apostille for your NYC marriage certificate, there are several administrative steps that may need to be completed in New York.
This can be confusing when you are visiting NYC for only a few days and need to return home shortly after your wedding.
I can help you with this process.
You can also read my detailed guide:
How to Get an Apostille for a NYC Marriage Certificate
You can learn more about the extended certificate here:
NYC Extended Marriage Certificate for Foreign Use
I Can Handle Your NYC Paperwork After the Wedding
If your schedule allows, I can start taking care of your marriage certificate and post wedding paperwork while you are still in New York.
If there is at least one business day available after your ceremony, I may be able to retrieve your marriage certificate the same day or the following business day, depending on when and where your ceremony takes place.
If you need to leave New York before the process is completed, no worries. I can continue handling the paperwork on your behalf, complete the necessary steps, obtain the Apostille when required, and ship your documents to you abroad.
This way, whether you have time after your wedding or need to return home right away, I can help make the process easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a marriage in New York legally recognized in our home country?
A marriage legally performed in New York may be recognized abroad, but the rules for using or registering a foreign marriage vary by country. Check with the appropriate authority in your home country before traveling, especially to determine which version of your marriage certificate and certifications you will need.
What if one of us was previously married?
A previous marriage does not prevent you from getting married in New York, but you will need to provide information about your previous marriage when applying for your Marriage License. Depending on your circumstances, the City Clerk may request additional documentation.
Can we use our foreign passports as identification?
A valid passport is an accepted form of identification for a NYC Marriage License, making the process accessible to couples visiting from abroad.
Does our NYC marriage certificate need to be translated?
That depends on the country and authority where you will use it. Some authorities may require a certified translation in addition to the marriage certificate and any required Apostille or Authentication. Check the requirements with the authority that will receive your document.
Planning to Get Married in NYC From Abroad?
Tell me where you are coming from and when you would like to get married in New York City.
I can help you navigate the Marriage License and ceremony appointments, officiate your wedding, help with a witness if needed, and assist with your post wedding marriage certificate and Apostille paperwork when required.
Call or text me at 914 689 0869.