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Forever Love Ministries
Reverend Larry H. Steele
419 1/2 Avenue North
Great Falls, MT  59401
Telephone: 406-231-8683
foreverloveministries@yahoo.com
Rev_Larry_H_Steele@yahoo.com

New York Marriage Laws

ID Requirement: Any of the following documents will be accepted:
�  Valid Driver's License
�  Valid passport
�  A certified copy of a birth certificate.
�  A school record
�  A naturalization record or court record
�  A baptismal record
�  A life insurance policy
�  An employment certificate
�  An immigration record

Residency Requirement: Non-residents cannot obtain a marriage license if said marriage would be void in their state.

Application Requirement: A couple who intends to be married in New York State must apply in person for a marriage license to any town or city clerk in the state. The application for a license must be signed by both the bride and groom in the presence of the town or city clerk. A representative cannot apply for the license on behalf of the bride or groom. This applies even if the representative has been given the Power of Attorney. Notarized marriage license affidavits signed by the bride or groom cannot be substituted for their personal appearance.

If Divorced: Information regarding previous marriages must be furnished in the application for a marriage license. This includes whether the former spouse or spouses are living, and whether the applicants are divorced and, if so, when, where and against whom the divorce or divorces were granted. A certified copy of the Decree of Divorce or a Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage may be required by the clerk issuing the marriage license.

Fees: If the marriage license is issued by a town or city clerk in New York State outside of New York City, it costs $40.00 - $50.00. If it is issued by the City Clerk of the City of New York, it costs $35. The fee in either case includes the issuance of a Certificate of Marriage Registration. This certificate is automatically sent by the issuing clerk to the applicants within 15 days after the completed license is returned by the officiant (person who performs the marriage ceremony). It serves as notice that a record of the marriage is on file. Couples who do not receive a Certificate of Marriage Registration within four weeks of the wedding should contact the town or city clerk who issued the license.

Waiting Period: Yes. Although the marriage license is issued immediately, the marriage ceremony may not take place within 24 hours from the exact time that the license was issued. When both applicants are 16 years of age or older, the 24-hour waiting period may be waived by an order of a justice of the Supreme Court or a judge of the County Court of the county in which either the bride or groom resides. If either person is under 16 years of age, the order must be from the Family Court judge of the county in which the person under 16 years of age resides.

Blood Tests: No premarital examination or blood test is required to obtain a marriage license in New York State.

Under 18: If either applicant is under 14 years of age, a marriage license cannot be issued. If either applicant is 14 or 15 years of age, such applicant(s) must present the written consent of both parents and a justice of the Supreme Court or a judge of the Family Court having jurisdiction over the town or city in which the application is made.
�  If either applicant is 16 or 17 years of age, such applicant(s) must present the written consent of both parents. If both applicants are 18 years of age or older, no consents are required.

Marriage Ceremony: For one reason or another some couples have a civil ceremony performed while preparing or waiting for a religious ceremony. The Officiant of the subsequent religious ceremony may require that a license be presented before performing the ceremony. In that case a couple already legally married may apply for a second or subsequent license. As is the case with the first ceremony, the issuing Town or City will once again issue a Certificate of Marriage Registration. (As a point of interest, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia require that there must be a religious ceremony, and although there is no particular form of ceremony required by law the parties must consent to the marriage and express their intent to enter into the relationship of husband and wife.)

Officiants: Marriages may be Performed by a clergyman or minister of any religion. However, a 1972 court case said that in order for a marriage to be valid, the minister must have an actual church or at least a stated meeting place for worship or any form of religious observance. Ministers do not have to be licensed except that before performing marriages in New York City, the minister must register his or her name and address in the office of the city clerk of the city of New York. Ministers must complete a marriage certificate and return it to the town or city clerk who issued the marriage license within 5 days after the marriage.

Valid: License is valid for 60 days. A New York State marriage license may be used within New York State only.