MCWO
Magical Ceremonies Wedding Officiants
Located in Rochester, NY.  Serving Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Onondaga, Ontario, Orleans, Wayne Counties & The Finger Lakes
 

WHAT YOU NEED TO GET A MARIAGE LICENSE IN NEW YORK STATE:

• AGE REQUIREMENT:  You must be 18 years of age or older to get married, with proof of your age required.

• WHAT TO DO: Both you and your partner must be present at the clerk’s office with valid ID and you’ll sign the marriage license at that time. You can usually walk in, but it’s best to give the clerk’s office where you plan on going to a call to ask if an appointment is needed.

• REQUIRED IDENTIFICATION:  You’ll need to bring valid ID such as, your birth certificate, driver’s license, passport, or military ID.  Your ID must be current and show your name, date of birth and your photo.

• PERSONAL INFORMATION: You’ll also need to provide personal details on the marriage license application which include your full name, date of birth, place of birth, Social Security Number, current address, your parent’s names and birth places – also where the Marriage Certificate will be sent to after the marriage license has been filed.

• VALID PROOF OF ANY TERMINATED MARRIAGES: Provide documentation such as a divorce decree with seal or a county certified copy if you were previously married or death certificate if you have been widowed.

• APPLICATION FEE: There is an application fee which is around $40 - $50 depending on the town or county.  The payment method can vary, so check with your clerk’s office on whether you need to bring cash, check or can pay by credit or debit card.

• PROXY MARRIAGES ARE NOT ALLOWED: Both you and your partner must be physically present during the ceremony; proxies are not allowed.

• WAITING PERIOD:  After you get the marriage license, you must wait a minimum of 24 hours before your ceremony.  As mentioned earlier, it’s valid for 60 days (or 180 days for active military personnel); however, we recommend you get your marriage license at least 45 days before your wedding, as that gives you a 2 week cushion should something be changed or delayed a bit.  If the marriage license expires, you will need to apply for a new one.

• WITNESS REQUIREMENT: At least one witness over the age of 18 must be present at the ceremony.  Your witness(s) can be either the Maid/Matron/Person or Man of Honor, or close friend or family member.

• WHAT TO DO AFTER YOU GET THE MARRIAGE LICENSE:  Keep the marriage license in a safe place before your wedding, where you’ll remember where it is.  On your wedding day or at Rehearsal, be sure to bring the marriage license with you to the venue to be secured by a trusted person, such as your officiant, priest, minister, rabbi or clergy member or your wedding planner before your ceremony.

• PROPERLY SIGNING THE MARRIAGE LICENSE:  You and your partner signed the marriage license already at the clerk’s office when you got it.  Following the ceremony, your officiant and your two witnesses will properly complete and sign the license. Your officiant or clergy member who performed the ceremony will ensure the fully signed marriage license is immediately returned to the clerk’s office where the license was issued.  You can also mail it back, but it must be at the clerk’s office within 5 days of the ceremony. Your clerk’s office will file and record the marriage license and issue your Marriage Certificate, which will be mailed to you.  You’ll need to make a few copies of the marriage certificate for name change purposes if you’re changing your name.