How to Have a New York City Courthouse Wedding
Are you hoping to have a New York City Courthouse Wedding? As an elopement photographer in NYC I have been photographing courthouse weddings in NYC for over 15 years and I would love to help you through the whole process. This post will hopefully answer any questions you might have. If not, contact me and I can help you with any other concerns you might have about eloping in New York. I LOVE elopements and making sure you have the best day in New York is part of why I love my job so much.
Where do you get married for an NYC Courthouse Wedding?
While many couples may talk about going to the courthouse to get married, generally speaking, in NYC they are referring to the City Clerk’s Office aka the Marriage Bureau aka City Hall. Unless you personally know a judge, it is highly unlikely that you will actually be getting married at the courthouse.
The City Clerk’s Office is where all the weddings take place. There is a City Clerk in every borough. The most common offices I photograph courthouse weddings at are Manhattan and Brooklyn. The Manhattan office is located at 141 Worth Street, directly across from the Supreme Court building. In Brooklyn, the office is on the 2nd floor of 210 Joralemon Street in the Brooklyn Municipal Building.
How do I schedule a New York City Courthouse Wedding?
It’s important to know that courthouse weddings in NYC require an appointment. While you used to be able to just swing by on your lunch hour spontaneously (yes people did this), since Covid they have required an appointment to enter the building.
All appointments are made on Project Cupid. Project Cupid is the website for the City Clerk’s Offices in NYC. You will first need an appointment for your license and then you can make a ceremony appointment. You CAN make a ceremony appointment before you have actually received your license. Just put in the date you plan to get it.
Appointments for courthouse weddings are released on Mondays at 9am three weeks before the dates. I have been told they are going quickly as of late, especially for Friday appointments. So if you have a day/time you want to get, make sure you apply right at 9am three weeks before! There are cancellations, so you can always check back.
How much does courthouse wedding cost in NYC?
Getting married at City Hall is a super affordable option for an iconic NYC experience. It is $35 for your license and $25 for the ceremony. Make sure to bring a credit card or money order, no cash is accepted.
How long is the ceremony to get married at the courthouse in NYC?
The ceremony is about 1 minute long, there are no personal vows. You can exchange rings if you like, but it’s not required.
What does it look like inside the City Clerk’s Office?
The Manhattan office is nice nicely decorated with long lime green couches and nice light fixtures. The office is long and skinny with one wall with couches and the other with all the stations for the clerks. The ceremony rooms are have either a pink striped piece of artwork or a purple wall with flowers.
The Brooklyn office is definitely more DMV in feel with plastic waiting chairs and drop ceilings. The ceremony room as a glass circle mosaic behind the podium.
What do you need to bring to a courthouse wedding in NYC?
To get married at the Clerk’s Office you will need to bring you, your partner, your ID’s, the ceremony fee and a witness over 18 with their ID. As a photographer I’m always happy to be your witness!
When do you get your marriage license?
If you get married at the City Clerk’s Office, you will be handed your license at the end of your ceremony. Officially official right away! Hurray!
If you need more details on getting married at City Hall, check out my City Hall Wedding Guide!
