City Hall weddings are one of my favorite things to photograph in New York. There's something genuinely moving about being in the City Clerk's office with couples from all over the world, all there for the same reason. It's low-key and real and completely unlike any other wedding experience.
Over 15 years and hundreds of trips through those doors, I've learned the rhythms of the place — what to expect, how the process flows, and how to make the most of a ceremony that lasts about two minutes. This guide covers everything you need to walk in prepared and walk out married.
How to Get Married at NYC City Hall: A Photographer's Guide
Your marriage license, Step One
Everything starts with Project Cupid, the NYC City Clerk's online scheduling system. That's where you'll fill out your application and book your marriage license appointment. The fee is $35, and both partners need to appear together in person. You can also complete your license appointment virtually through Project Cupid if you're both in New York State — a convenient option for out-of-town couples who want to check that box before they arrive.
One critical detail: there's a mandatory 24-hour waiting period after your license is issued before the ceremony can legally take place. (If you're in a real pinch — leaving town the next day, for example — there is a judicial waiver option available that can bypass this; ask the clerk for details.) Plan your license appointment for at least the day before your ceremony. Your license is valid for 60 days, so you have flexibility on timing — just don't let it expire.
Booking your ceremony appointment
Once you have your license (or have it scheduled), you can book your ceremony through Project Cupid as well. Ceremony slots are released every two weeks, typically on Monday mornings at 9am EST, and they go fast — Fridays and popular dates fill up first. If you have a specific date in mind, be ready to book the moment slots drop.
The ceremony fee is $25, payable by credit card or money order. No walk-ins are permitted — appointments only.
Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 3:45pm. Also worth noting: the Bureau is closed on all NYC public holidays, so double-check the calendar when you're booking.
The day of your ceremony
Arrive about 15 minutes before your appointment time. You'll go through a security checkpoint at the entrance — have your IDs, your marriage license, and your appointment confirmation ready. Once inside, check in at the front desk, where a clerk will verify your documents and issue you a ticket with a number.
From there, your number will be called twice: once to sign the paperwork with your witnesses and pay the $25 ceremony fee, and again to go into the ceremony room. The ceremony is short — a few minutes — with scripted vows. You can't personalize it, but the officiants are warm and genuinely good at making two minutes feel special.
One practical upside worth knowing: you walk out with your marriage certificate in hand that same day. If you were married by a private officiant elsewhere, you'd typically wait 4–6 weeks for it to arrive by mail. For couples who need the document quickly — especially international couples navigating the apostille process — that's a real advantage.
Start to finish, the whole process typically takes 45 to 60 minutes.
Getting there
The Manhattan City Clerk's office is at 141 Worth Street. The closest subway stations are the 4/5/6 at Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall, the N/Q/R/W at Canal Street, and the A/C at Chambers Street. All put you within a few minutes' walk.
The Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall station has some particularly great character and exits underneath the Manhattan Municipal Building, which is actually a very cool spot for photos.
Or go retro and hire a checker cab for something really unique.
Guests & witnesses
You can bring up to four guests, including your witnesses — so six people total counting the two of you. Witnesses must be 18 or older with a valid photo ID, and you need at least one. They'll sign the paperwork alongside you and need to be present in the ceremony room.
If you have a larger group with more guests, they're welcome to wait outside and greet you when you emerge. Biodegradable confetti or streamers makes for a particularly awesome exit photo.
If you're keeping things truly minimal and arriving without guests, I'm happy to serve as your witness — it happens often!
Photography inside City Hall
The Manhattan City Clerk is actually fairly nice looking for a government office and it photographs well. There's only one restriction worth noting, and that is there's no photography until you're past security with your ticket in hand.
The waiting area with all the other couples getting married that day, the paperwork desk where you & your witnesses sign, and the ceremony room are all fair game — and full of real moments. I know the layout well and exactly where to be at each step so nothing gets missed. It goes quick!
What about Brooklyn?
The Manhattan office is by far the most popular, but the Brooklyn City Clerk's office is worth knowing about. It's located at 210 Joralemon Street in Brooklyn Heights — the closest subways are the 2/3 at Borough Hall, the R at Court Street, and the A/C/F at Jay Street-MetroTech.
It's a more quiet experience and has a lovely ceremony room, but I do have to be honest that the paperwork and waiting areas are very underwhelming. If you're Brooklyn-based or just prefer a more low-key environment, it's a solid option. The same Project Cupid process applies here.
After the ceremony
This is where the day really opens up! The City Hall portion is quick by design. What comes after is entirely yours to shape. Most couples I photograph use the ceremony as a starting point for a full afternoon of exploration in the city — portraits around Manhattan or Brooklyn, a meal at a dream restaurant, a bar crawl through a favorite neighborhood...literally anything goes here.
Some of the best architecture in the city is right outside the door. Walking the Brooklyn Bridge, grabbing a cab to the cobblestone streets of Dumbo, or exploring TriBeCa are all within easy reach. But don't be hesitant! Adventures farther afield are worth undertaking for some truly unforgettable photos.
A note for international couples — the extended certificate and apostille
If you're not a US citizen and need your marriage recognized in your home country, you'll likely need more than the standard short-form certificate issued at the ceremony. Check with your consulate before your wedding to confirm exactly what your country requires. Here's the general process:
Step 1: Extended certificate (long-form)
Right after your ceremony — or via a records appointment through Project Cupid — return to the Marriage Bureau to request the extended certificate. It costs $35 and contains additional details required by many countries. Get at least two copies while you're at it.
Step 2: County Clerk certification
Take your extended certificate to the County Clerk's Office at 60 Centre Street, Room 141B in the basement — directly across the street from the Manhattan Marriage Bureau. The fee is $3, cash only. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9am–12:30pm and 2pm–4pm.
Step 3: Apostille from the NY Department of State
Take the certified document to the NY State Department of State at 123 William Street, 19th Floor. Walk-in apostille same-day service is available Monday through Friday, 9am–4pm. The whole three-step process can be done in a single afternoon if you plan it right. If you're doing this by mail, budget several months for the full process.
Last updated: April 2026
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JC Lemon is a New York City elopement and wedding photographer for couples who live and love boldly.
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