License to wed: part 1 of 2

The best things in life may be free, but if you live in New York, it may seem that even they come with a price tage.  Marriage is one of those things, which entails a marriage license and fee.

Fees

Within New York City, The fee for a Marriage License is $35 by credit card or money order payable to the City Clerk.  The City Clerk's Office can be reached at (212) 669-2400 or see  www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/html/home/home.shtml  If the marriage license is issued by a town or city clerk in New York State outside of New York City, it costs $40. See www.health.state.ny.us/vital_records/married.htm

Your presence is requested, well, actually, required.

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.

So if the groom-to-be is from out of town, he has to show up with more than 24 hours to spare to apply for the license.  If the engaged couple prefers not to see each other within the week before the wedding, they should bear that in mind.  Alternatively, if he is to be in town within 60 days of the wedding, the two can apply for the license then.

Note that a New York State marriage license may be used within New York State only. If you go out of New York State to be married, your New York State marriage license will not be filed in New York State.  So, for those marrying out of state or abroad, you will have to file for the license in the state in which the wedding actually takes place marriage cannot take place until  a minimum of  24 hours have passed.

Timing

A marriage license is valid for 60 days, beginning the day after it is issued.   Although the marriage license is issued immediately, the marriage ceremony, the usual rule is that the actual

What documents you must take with you

 You must prove your age and identity by submitting to the issuing clerk 2 pieces of identification.  The first one can be a birth certificate, naturalization record and census record.  The second must be one of the following: driver’s license, passport, employment picture ID, or an Immigration record.  If this is not the first marriage for one or both applicant, further documentation would be required as specified in www.examiner.com/x-18522-NY-Jewish-Bridal-Examiner~y2010m1d31-License-to-wed-part-2-of-2

To see the index of wedding planning articles go to: kallahmagazine.com/WeddingAdvice.html For the index to aspects of the Jewish wedding, see kallahmagazine.com/JewishWedding.html