Both parties must appear in person with government issued photo ID. In New York state a marriage license costs $40 (NYC = $35). It is valid 24 hours after being issued, to a maximum of 60 days.

Check your county website before ordering your license as each jurisdiction has different processes. NYC only offers in-person and online appointments, where other counties may have a walk in service.

Be ready to nominate your new married name, as it will take effect once the marriage is officiated and the license is signed. The married name options are listed on the back of the marriage license.  Consider your new married name carefully. Once the license has been issued you are unable to choose any other married name.

Once the wedding has been officiated, the person conducting your ceremony has 15 calendar days to file the signed license with the clerk where it was issued.

Once it has been recorded, the clerk then sends the couple a Certificate of Marriage Registration. Often called a marriage certificate, which can be used as proof of your new married name.

The Certificate of Marriage Registration will list each party’s name at the time of application and it will also list each’s new married name if either party chooses a new married name. The options available to each party are:

• Leave your name as it currently is
• Take your spouse’s surname
• Move your middle name to become a surname. This can be in place of your middle name, or in addition to it.

Choose your new name carefully, as once the marriage license is issued you are unable to make any changes to your nominated future name unless you remarry.

No matter where you were married, always start by notifying the SSA. If your final wedding license was filed with New York more than 60 days ago you may be eligible to change your name with the SSA entirely online. 

Answer a few questions at https://www.ssa.gov/personal-record/change-name. If your identity and wedding cannot be confirmed online you will be directed to complete your name change in person at a SSA location. The site will prompt you as to what documents will be required based on what information the SSA has already recorded.

There are slightly different processes depending if you have a standard driver’s license or REAL ID.

For a standard NYC license (non-commercial) where your name is the only alteration, you can apply by mail using form MV44nc. This is also included in your Easy Name Change kit. Mail off with copies of your marriage certificate, current license and new SSA card.

Existing REAL ID customers need to attend a DMV location in person and a new photo will be taken. Take form MV44, your current license and your wedding certificate (all originals). 

Although existing REAL ID license holders are not required to present any other identification, customer service can be inconsistent so we recommend taking full proof as if you are applying for a REAL ID for the first time. For the full list of identification, visit NY DMV. 

When you go to change your driver’s license at the DMV, you can also update your vehicle title at the same time. There is no charge to have your registration and title updated. Take the following documents with you into the DMV:

• Current vehicle title
• Completed Vehicle Registration/Title Application (Form MV-82)
• Original marriage certificate
• Current driver’s license

If you were married within the last 12 months and your passport was also issued within the past 12 months, you are eligible to apply for a free passport replacement. Use form DS-5504.

For all other applicants, complete form DS-82. We recommend accessing forms from the US passport website so you can be sure you are using the latest version. The website also steps you through completing the form online.

There is no credit given to time remaining in your passport. When you are ready to start visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

It’s important to give consideration to your new married name well before you apply for your NY wedding license. 

The reverse side of the wedding license lists the new married names available to each party. You must nominate which name you intend to use once you’re legally married, and that new name is effective as soon as the marriage has been conducted. The options are:

• The surname of the other spouse
• Any former surname of either spouse
• A name combining into a single surname all or a segment of the premarriage surname or any former surname of each spouse
• A combination name separated by a hyphen or a space, provided that each part of such combination surname is the premarriage surname, or any former surname, of each of the spouses.

Whenever you are asked to show proof of your new married name, you simply show the final marriage certificate as it will list both spouse’s pre-married surname as well as their chosen new name.