How to Perform a Marriage in New York City

Researched and edited for you by trained team members at GetOrdained.org

Has someone asked you to officiate wedding ceremony in New York City? Presiding over the union of two people is obviously a great responsibility, and it won't be an experience you'll soon forget. As you prepare for the big day, please review this guide to make sure you're up to speed on the officiating process. We’ll explore key questions like what is actually required to officiate, what office you'll need to contact (and how to get in touch with them), and how to ensure the ceremony you perform in New York City is recorded successfully.

1. How to Become a Minister in New York City

Before you do anything, your first move will be to become ordained (in case you haven't already done so). How does it work? Get Ordained™ offers legal ordination via the Universal Life Church, and the process is completely free. The ULC welcomes anyone who feels called to ministry, and does not discriminate based on identity, creed, or any other characteristics. You can become ordained online in just a few minutes, right from your device. With this important step complete, you'll have the power to officiate legal weddings! To start the application, follow the link below.

Get Ordained Now

Important Info for Ministers in New York City

ULC Ordination Accepted:: Yes
Minister Registration Required:: Yes
Documents Required:: N/A
Minister's Residency:: Irrelevant
Minister's Minimum Age:: 18

2. Learn New York City Marriage Requirements

Your next action item is to contact the office in charge of issuing marriage licenses in New York City. Politely explain that you're an ordained minister planning to perform a wedding ceremony in their jurisdiction, and you'd like to know what credentials or official documents you need to show prior to officiating. Below you'll see contact information for this office in New York City.

Office Address:: 141 Worth St, New York, NY 10007
Manhattan, NY 10007
Office Phone Number:: (212) 669-8090
Office Website:: New York City Office Website

3. Who Can Officiate a Wedding in New York City?

How about you! (Once you are ordained, of course). Weddings have a reputation for being pretty spendy, and couples are always looking for ways to reduce costs. One way to do that, while also injecting extra meaning to the proceedings, is by selecting someone they know personally to officiate. This could be a friend, a loved one, or even a mentor.

Regardless of your relationship to the couple, being asked to officiate is a tremendous honor. It shows that the couple has deep trust in you, and that they find confidence in having you standing alongside them on the big day. It's worth noting, however, that not everyone planning a wedding knows this is an option! If you are close to an engaged couple, you could always present the idea of you becoming ordained and officiating, just in case it hadn't occurred to them.

Average Cost of a Wedding in New York City:: $65,000

4. What You'll Need to Officiate in New York City

After contacting the New York City office that handles marriages, you should have a solid idea of what you will need to order from our website. Based on conversations with our ministers in New York City, the New York City Wedding Kit is the most popular option. However, your selection may depend on the specific requirements for officiating in your area.

Once you receive the items you need, you'll be ready to officially perform the wedding! If it's your first time officiating, (or even if it's not!) we'd encourage you to visit our wedding training center, which features a suite of resources and tools you may find helpful when preparing for the ceremony.

5. How New York City Marriage Licenses Work

Once you finish the ceremony, your final (and most crucial) responsibility is to correctly fill out and return the marriage license. A New York City marriage license is valid for 60 days, and after the document has been issued, there is a mandatory one-day waiting period before the marriage can take place. Please note that a marriage license in New York City must be returned to its issuing office before it expires.

Remember that this is a legal document, so always double-check all fields have been properly completed before returning it. The license itself can be a bit confusing, so if you need tips for how to fill out a marriage license, please check out our marriage license training page.

Marriage License Waiting Period:: 1 Day
Marriage License Valid For:: 60 Days
Return Within:: By Expiration

6. Performing a Wedding in New York City

New York City is one of the most iconic cities on the planet, filled with many notable attractions like the Empire State building and Central Park. NYC is comprised of five densely populated boroughs, and altogether it is the largest city in the United States! NYC is filled with amazing landmarks and gorgeous skyline views. For couples looking to capture those amazing features, NYC is one of the most desired wedding ceremony venues. Many of its most special wedding locations are a hot commodity, so couples would be well advised to book their venue well in advance.

7. What You Should Do Now for a Wedding in New York City

Careful with the weather in NYC if you are participating in an outdoor wedding: winters are wet and summers are humid. New Yorkers are resilient folks, though, and they'll make it to the big day even if conditions are rough!

Well that about does it! You are now an expert on New York City weddings! Even if your ceremony isn't for a while, a friendly reminder that it's never too early to become a minister (ordination is good for life, after all). Go ahead and click the button below to get started.