N.Y. Domestic Relations Law Section 13
Marriage licenses

It shall be necessary for all persons intended to be married in New York state to obtain a marriage license from a town or city clerk in New York state and to deliver said license, within sixty days, to the clergyman, magistrate, or one-day marriage officiant as designated by a town or city clerk pursuant to § 11-D (One-day marriage officiant license)section eleven-d of this article who is to officiate before the marriage ceremony may be performed. In case of a marriage contracted pursuant to subdivision four of § 11 (By whom a marriage must be solemnized)section eleven of this chapter, such license shall be delivered to the judge of the court of record before whom the acknowledgment is to be taken. If either party to the marriage resides upon an island located not less than twenty-five miles from the office or residence of the town clerk of the town of which such island is a part, and if such office or residence is not on such island such license may be obtained from any justice of the peace residing on such island, and such justice, in respect to powers and duties relating to marriage licenses, shall be subject to the provisions of this article governing town clerks and shall file all statements or affidavits received by him while acting under the provisions of this section with the town clerk of such town. No application for a marriage license shall be denied on the ground that the parties are of the same, or a different, sex.

Source: Section 13 — Marriage licenses, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/DOM/13 (updated Mar. 31, 2023; accessed Jan. 31, 2026).

10
Marriage a civil contract 10–A
Parties to a marriage 10–B
Religious exception 11
By whom a marriage must be solemnized 11–A
Duty of city clerk in certain cities of the first class 11–B
Registration of persons performing marriage ceremonies in the city of New York 11–C
Marriage officers 11–D
One-day marriage officiant license 12
Marriage, how solemnized 13
Marriage licenses 13–AA
Test to determine the presence of sickle cell anemia 13–B
Time within which marriage may be solemnized 13–C
Twenty-four hour provision waived in certain cases 13–D
Duty of clerk issuing marriage license 14
Town and city clerks to issue marriage licenses 14–A
Town and city clerks to issue certificates of marriage registration 15
Duty of town and city clerks 15–A
Marriages of minors under eighteen years of age 15–B
Temporary provisions authorizing issuance of marriage license, upon court order, without consent of a parent in armed forces of United St... 16
False statements and affidavits 17
Clergyman or officer violating article 18
Clergymen or officer, when protected 19
Records to be kept by town and city clerks 19–A
Marriages on vessels 20
Records to be kept by the state department of health and the city clerk of the city of New York 20–A
Certified transcripts of records 20–B
Certification of marriage 20–C
Certification of marriage 21
Forms and books to be furnished 22
Penalty for violation 23
Supervision of and inspection of town and city clerks’ records by state commissioner of health 24
Effect of marriage on legitimacy of children 25
License, when to be obtained
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Verified:
Jan. 31, 2026

Last modified:
Mar. 31, 2023

§ 13. Marriage licenses's source at nysenate​.gov

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