how to elope in nEW york city
So, you've made the decision to elope in NYC. The Big Apple. But you don't know what to do next.
I've made this comprehensive guide to help couples who want to forgo a big event (or are planning to do one in the future) and don't know where to start. Aiming to answer all those questions you may have!
What do I need to get married?
There are two things:
- Marriage license
- Marriage ceremony
Marriage license: form that can be completed online/in person & requires a city clerk to oversee. You recieve this the day of your marriage license appointment. This appointment must be at least 24 hrs before your ceremony and no more than 60 days after the ceremony.
Marriage ceremony: must be in-person at City Hall. Requires a witness and hard copy of your license. At the ceremony, you recieve the marriage certificate which is legal proof you are married.
And a photographer (nudge, nudge).
How long do I need one?
- 1 hour: This is the minimum I recommend. It covers waiting room pictures, the ceremony itself, and very brief photos outside your chosen location.
- 2 hours: I recommend this for the ceremony, and if you want family photos or more photos on you two celebrating the special moment. This is perfect if you want to stay in the area nearby.
- 3 hours: Now we get to explore! This covers the ceremony, photos outside, and coverage at a chosen location that could include subway, bus, or car travel. I personally love a classic subway photo.
- 4+ hours: This is one of the most popular options. The first two hours can be the ceremony and celebrating nearby, and the second half can be at a dinner/bar with all your close family and loved ones.
manahattan
bronx
The most famous of them all! It's known for it's vintage fixtures, iconic green couches, and the famous yellow door for your exit. The exterior? Marvelous. The interior? Fantastic.
Only con is the ceremony room itself is not the most beautiful but you're only there for a few minutes! It is also the busiest!
Cameras are not allowed inside the building, but phones are? And nothing stops a good photographer from capturing your day beautifully. Plus, you can take photos outside!
brooklyn
staten island
This has a beautiful mosaic wall where couples take their vows. The waiting room gives DMV-waiting room which if you've ever been to the DMV - it's just plastic chairs. But who cares when you have all of BK to explore? It also has more of a relaxed feel compared to Manhattan's City Hall.
The least busy, and the most overlooked of all. But one of the most lovely. This site has a beautiful building with classic architecture. The best catch? There is a Staten Island Ferry with unbeatable views, completely free.
queens
Classic Queens. It has beautiful large pillars outside, and some manicured lawn and trees on the right of its premises and a cute little garden on the left. The garden is not always open, but when it is, stop by! Interior is not particularly memorable, but this tends to be the choice for locals who want something low-key. And that's beautiful in itself.
Where do I go?
For your ceremony, you can choose one of the following sites.
Ready to move forward?
Overall Process
STEP 01
apply for a marriage license
This can be done in person at Manhattan City Hall (also gives you a peek at the inside) or virtually at.
STEP 02
appointment with city clerk
You then have your appointment with a city clerk virtually or online to verify the information on your application and create a license. This can also be done in person or virtually!
STEP 03
appointment at chosen city hall
This is when you choose the City Hall you want to get married at and the time. It's very important to have this step down as this will determine when your ceremony takes place.
STEP 04
marriage ceremony
You will go to your chosen city hall to get married! This is the part done in person, and most definitely the part you want photos for. Some couples opt to get married somewhere else in the city, with an officiant.
Skipping City Hall?
Let's say none of the City Hall locations appeal to you, or you have the perfect location in mind.
Then you can skip Steps 3 & 4 [Marriage Ceremony Process].
All you need to do is secure your marriage license, find an officiant, bring the license to the ceremony and you and your partner can be declared married by the officiant. That's it!
Marriage License Process
- Create an NYC.ID account. If you have a driver's license, you may already have one of these.
- Visit Project Cupid and select either "Marriage License (In-Person)" or "Marriage License (Virtual)". You will be providing basic information about yourself and your partner. If you choose in-person, you will choose a site & timing that works best for you. If you choose virtual, you and your partner wil schedule a virtual call where you must both physically be in the same room. Soonest availability tends to be around 10 days, so please book with this in mind. There is a $35 marriage license fee.
- Virtual appointment: log back into Project Cupid, where you will see a link to join an MS Teams call. You need video, audio, and ID. The clerk may be late by a few minutes and will confirm your identity. At the end, the license will be e-mailed to whoever booked the appointment.
- Your ceremony can take place 24 hours - 60 days after you recieve your license. If you did this virtually, you must print and bring your license in person for your ceremony.
Marriage Ceremony Process
- Schedule your wedding ceremony on (you guessed it) Project Cupid by clicking "Marriage Ceremony (In-Person)". Tip: This can be scheduled before you have your license.
- Time slots are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM. Dates are released 3 weeks in advance on Monday morning, before 9 AM. Fridays are the busiest day and book up fast.
- On the day of ceremony, make sure to have: (1) IDs for you, your partner, your witness (2) hard copy of marriage license (3) $35 for certificate fee (4) a folder to keep your license & certificate safe.
- You are allowed 4 guests in addition to the couple getting married, for a total of 6 people. This is important to know. For example, if you bring both sets of parents, your photographer won't be able to accompany you. Also equally important, your photographer can be your witness (aka me, and I would be honored to at no additional charge!).
- General walkthrough: entrance lobby where they check your ID -> security check through metal detector -> kiosk where they ask for your IDs and get a ticket with a number -> official waiting lobby, wait for your number to be called.
- Marriage ceremony itself is very quick, 1-3 minutes. Make sure everyone is with you because it goes fast! Typically, you'll exchange your rings here and have the big kiss because it's official. You're married! You'll get your certificate after the ceremony as well.
NOTE: If you have dual citizenship with another country and want to provide them with your marriage certificate, there is a few extra steps. After you recieve your certificate, you bring it to the kiosk and state you want an international marriage certificate. You'll get a new waiting number, and pay a fee for an extended certificate. After you recieve it, you need to bring it to the Supreme Court to get it authenticated. After authentication you will need to take it to get an Apostile for your country.
Let's work together.
Looking for a photographer for your special day? I would love to be the one!
And if you have any more questions, feel free to ask!