Getting Married in NYC as an International Couple: What You Need to Know
- Five Star Officiants
- May 1
- 3 min read
Every year, thousands of couples from around the world travel to New York City to get legally married — quickly, affordably, and with minimal paperwork. Whether you're visiting from the U.K., France, Canada, or anywhere else, NYC makes it surprisingly easy for international couples to tie the knot.
If you’re planning to elope in NYC or have a simple City Hall ceremony, this guide will walk you through what’s required, what to expect, and how to make sure your ceremony is 100% legal.
Can Foreigners Get Married in NYC?
Yes. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen or resident to legally marry in New York City. NYC welcomes all couples, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. International couples are welcome, and the process is almost identical to that for U.S. residents.
As long as you're over 18 and have valid identification, you can apply for a New York City marriage license and get legally married here.
To get married, you’ll just need to apply for a New York Marriage License, attend a brief ceremony (either at the City Clerk’s Office or privately with a licensed officiant), and make sure the license is properly signed and filed.
FUN FACT: City Clerk's Office is commonly called City Hall or even the NYC Marriage Bureau. In most cases, you should consider these terms to be interchangeable.
What You’ll Need to Apply
To get legally married in NYC, international couples need:
A valid passport or government-issued photo ID (must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation)
No birth certificate or visa is required
A credit or debit card to pay the $35 license fee
You can begin the application online through Project Cupid, then schedule an in-person appointment at the NYC Marriage Bureau to complete the process.
Step 1: Apply for a Marriage License
All couples — including international visitors — must apply online through NYC’s official Project Cupid portal.
Once you submit your application, you’ll need to schedule an in-person appointment at the City Clerk’s Office to complete the process and receive your marriage license.
Step 2: Wait 24 Hours
New York State requires a mandatory 24-hour waiting period between receiving your marriage license and holding your ceremony. Most international couples plan to marry at City Hall the day after their appointment. While you don't HAVE to get married the next day, you MUST be married within 60 days.
Step 3: Choose Your Ceremony Type
You have two main options:
💍 City Hall Wedding (Most Popular for International Couples)
A short, civil ceremony performed by a City Clerk officiant inside the NYC Marriage Bureau.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW: You’ll receive your official Certificate of Marriage immediately after the ceremony, on-site, the same day.
You’ll need to provide your witness’s name in advance when selecting your ceremony date on the online system.
✅ If you don’t have someone local, Five Star Officiants will provide a professional witness to join you at City Hall and legally complete your ceremony. Reserve your witness now →
🖋 Signing-Only Ceremony with a Licensed Officiant
If you’d rather have a quiet or private ceremony somewhere else — like a hotel lobby/rooftop, apartment, coffee shop, or park — you can hire a licensed officiant to meet you, perform a quick exchange of "I Do's", and sign your marriage license.
In this case, your officiant will file the license by mail, and your official Certificate of Marriage will be mailed to you a few weeks later.
Don’t Forget Your Witness
New York law requires at least one witness, age 18 or older, to be physically present during the ceremony and sign the marriage license.
Important: When booking your ceremony date through the City Clerk’s website, you’ll be required to provide your witness’s name. That means you’ll need to secure your witness before scheduling your ceremony.
If you're traveling without guests, we offer professional, on-time witnesses who are experienced with the City Clerk process. Check Wedding Witness availability →
What Happens After the Ceremony?
If you marry at City Hall: You’ll receive your official Certificate of Marriage right after the ceremony.
If you use a signing-only officiant: Your officiant will file your completed license by mail, and the City Clerk will mail your Certificate of Marriage to a U.S. address you provide.
Final Checklist for International Couples Getting Married in NYC
✅ Schedule your in-person license appointment
✅ Wait 24 hours before your ceremony
✅ Choose City Hall or a private signing-only officiant
✅ Complete your ceremony and receive your Certificate of Marriage
Need a Legal Witness in NYC?
We specialize in helping international couples get married legally, quickly, and stress-free. Whether you need a City Hall witness, a signing-only officiant, or just advice on the process — we’re here to help.
