OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK MARRIAGE BUREAU

OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK

MARRIAGE BUREAU

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

(8/30/22)

Marriage Licenses .............................................................................................................................. 2

Marriage Ceremonies ........................................................................................................................ 3

Requests for Marriage Records ......................................................................................................... 4

Domestic Partnerships and Certificates of Non-Impediment .......................................................... 5

Marriage Officiant Registration ........................................................................................................ 5

Commissioners of Deeds .................................................................................................................... 5

Amendments to Marriage Records .................................................................................................... 5

1. When will the Marriage Bureau reopen for walk-in visits?

The Office of the City Clerk does not permit walk-in visits due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.

All services are by appointment or by mail only. You can schedule an in-person appointment for a

marriage license, marriage ceremony, marriage record (in our record room), domestic partnership

registration, and certificate of non-impediment by going to our website www.nyc.gov/cupid.

To request an appointment for a commissioner of deeds application please select the link below:

https://www1.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/contact-cityclerk.page.

We are currently accepting the following transactions by mail only:

• Amendments to marriage records

• Marriage officiant registration

• Oaths of office

• Commissioners of deeds renewals

• Requests for transcripts of City Council proceedings

• Lobbying Bureau transactions

Please allow 6-8 weeks for the processing of incoming mail requests.

Marriage Licenses

2. How can I obtain a marriage license through the City Clerk’s office?

You can obtain a marriage license by going to www.nyc.gov/cupid. You have the choice of obtaining

a marriage license in-person or online through a virtual appointment. Both in-person and virtual

appointments must be scheduled in advance.

3. What is the process to obtain an in-person marriage license appointment?

To schedule an in-person appointment for a marriage license, go to www.nyc.gov/cupid and select

the option for an in-person marriage license appointment:

Once you obtain an in-person appointment, please complete an online marriage application and

bring your confirmation number with you to the appointment.

4. What is the process to obtain a virtual marriage license appointment?

To obtain a virtual appointment for a marriage license, first complete an online marriage application

and obtain a confirmation number or go to www.nyc.gov/cupid and select virtual marriage license

option at www.nyc.gov/cupid:

Create an NYC.ID, upload your ID, verify each applicant’s identity, and schedule your appointment

for a future date with the City Clerk. You will pay the fee after you schedule your virtual appointment.

On the day of your scheduled appointment, you will need to: download the Microsoft TEAMS app

using a mobile phone, computer, tablet or other similar device and log onto the Project Cupid website.

Then, click the link to enter a videoconference with the assigned clerk to complete your marriage

license application and receive a digital copy of your marriage license.

Couples are encouraged to consider an in-person appointment if they can visit one of our five offices.

5. Who can apply to get a virtual marriage license?

Any couple that is physically located in the State of New York.

6. Do both of us have to be physically in the same location for a virtual appointment with the

City Clerk?

Yes. Both spouses-to-be must be together physically for their appointment.

Marriage Ceremonies

7. How can I schedule an appointment for an in-person marriage ceremony?

Please go to www.nyc.gov/cupid to schedule your appointment for a marriage ceremony. You must

have a valid marriage license issued in New York State to have a marriage ceremony solemnized in

our office.

8. I want to have a virtual marriage ceremony. Is that possible?

No. Effective June 25, 2021, marriage ceremonies using videoconference technology are no longer

permitted. On June 25, 2021, Governor Cuomo rescinded Executive Orders 202 through 202.111

and 205 through 205.3 relating to the COVID-19 State of Emergency. As a result, the City Clerk’s

Office will not process marriage licenses for virtual ceremonies performed by private officiants after

June 25, 2021. All marriage ceremonies performed by private officiants after June 25, 2021, must

be conducted in person.

9. How can we have a private marriage ceremony?

You can arrange a private marriage ceremony by finding a marriage officiant through an internet

search.

Unfortunately, we cannot assist in arranging a private marriage ceremony. As a government agency

we cannot provide recommendations for private marriage officiants.

Persons permitted to officiate a marriage ceremony in the State of New York include: (1) clergy

members or ministers of any religion, including reverends, pastors, priests, rabbis, imams, deacons,

and cantors; (2) Federal, State and local judges or justices; (3) current members of the State Senate

and Assembly; and (4) other officials (see this website for more information).

Requests for Marriage Records

10. How can I obtain a marriage record? I lost my marriage certificate and need a new copy

for a government agency such as the DMV, social security, the US passport office, or DHS.

What do I order and how much is the fee?

Please go to www.nyc.gov/cupid to schedule your in-person appointment to obtain a marriage record,

select option for “Record Room”:

If your record is for a year prior to 1996, please select the Manhattan office for your appointment.

Alternatively, you can complete the Mail Request for Marriage Records form and check off the box

for the appropriate form and enclose a photocopy of your proper identification and a money order

in the appropriate amount payable to “The City Clerk”. See the back of the form for the various

prices. For example, a standard marriage certificate for domestic use costs $15 ($10 for each

additional copy). Mail to Office of the City Clerk, 141 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013,

attention: Record Room. For more information: https://www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/content/marriage-

records.

11. I submitted a mail request for marriage records. When will I receive a response?

We are making every effort to respond within 6 to 8 weeks to all record requests received by mail.

12. I need a certified copy of my marriage certificate to obtain an enhanced driver license. How

do I obtain a marriage certificate?

Please be aware that the deadline to obtain an enhanced driver license has been extended by the

DHS to May 3, 2023. See response numbered 10 above for instructions on obtaining a marriage

record.

13. Can I get an apostille attached to the marriage certificate I received right after my

ceremony?

No. To obtain an apostille, you must order a marriage certificate for foreign use (an Extended

Certificate) using the Mail Request for Marriage Records form or schedule an appointment for a

marriage record at www.nyc.gov/cupid. If you order by mail, please enclose a photocopy of your

proper identification and a money order for $35 ($30 for each additional copy) payable to “The City

Clerk” and mail to Office of the City Clerk, 141 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013, attention:

Record Room.

Remember you will need to take this marriage certificate to the County Clerk for authentication and

then to the State Department of New York State where the apostille will be attached.

Domestic Partnerships and Certificates of Non-Impediment

14. Can I register a domestic partnership or obtain a certificate of non-impediment virtually?

Virtual appointments are not available for domestic partnership registrations or applications for

certificates of non-impediment. You can schedule an in-person appointment for a domestic

partnership registration or certificate of non-impediment application at the Manhattan office by

going to www.nyc.gov/cupid.

Marriage Officiant Registration

15. Can I register as a marriage officiant by mail?

Yes. Please read the registration of marriage officiant section of our website

(https://www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/content/marriage-officiant-registration) and print out the

application carefully following instructions pertaining to your denomination. If you are concerned

about filing your registration on time for the marriage ceremony you plan to solemnize, you may

send your request by Federal Express, UPS or Express Mail from the post office. You may insert a

prepaid envelope to return your certificate of registration to you in an expedited fashion. Please

allow 2-4 weeks for processing.

Commissioners of Deeds

16. How can apply to become a Commissioner of Deeds?

We are accepting new applications for commissioners of deeds by appointment only in the Manhattan

office. Please submit a request for an appointment here: https://www1.nyc.gov/nyc-

resources/contact-cityclerk.page. For more information about how to qualify for Commissioner of

Deeds, click here.

17. How can I submit a request to renew my Commissioners of Deeds?

We are accepting applications for renewals of commissioners of deeds by mail only. To request a

renewal application, please email COD_hel[email protected].

Amendments to Marriage Records

18. How can I amend my marriage record?

We are accepting applications for amendments to marriage records by mail only. Please download

the application here and follow the instructions. For more information:

https://www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/content/amendments-to-marriage-records