Everything You Need to Know About Getting Married at NYC City Hall

Last Updated: April 2026

When Siani and Luis decided to get married at City Hall, they weren’t looking for anything traditional. They wanted something relaxed, fun, and meaningful — just them, their closest people, and an hour of photos reflecting their joy afterward.

And honestly? That’s one of the best parts about getting married at City Hall.

After their ceremony, we wandered through the government district, grabbed photos at one of NYC's coolest subway stations, and then hopped on the train one stop to Chinatown. It felt spontaneous, joyful, and very New York — which is exactly what City Hall weddings are all about.

After photographing weddings at the Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan City Halls, I've learned a lot about what works and doesn't work for City Hall weddings. If you're planning to get married at NYC City Hall, here’s everything you need to know.

Quick Answers: NYC City Hall Wedding

• Cost: $60 total ($35 license + $25 ceremony)

• Wait time: 20–60 minutes

• Witness required: Yes (18+) I'm happy to be your witness if you need!

• Guest limit: 4 guests

• Days available: Monday–Friday only

• Best time: Morning appointments

• Ceremony length: 30–60 seconds

• License wait: 24 hours minimum

• License valid: 60 days

So you're getting married at NYC City Hall?!

How do yo do it? Here’s the simple step-by-step:

1. Apply for your marriage license

2. Wait at least 24 hours

3. Schedule your ceremony appointment

4. Show up 20-30 minutes early with your paperwork and IDs

5. Get a number, sign some paperwork, Get married

It’s honestly one of the simplest ways to get married — which is part of what makes it so special.

Marriage License Requirements

Before your City Hall wedding, you’ll need to obtain your marriage license.

Important things to know:

• You must wait at least 24 hours after receiving your license before getting married

• Your marriage license is valid for 60 days

• You must bring your license with you on your wedding day

Pro tip: Bring your license in a folder — and designate someone who is not the couple to be in charge of the folder for the day.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Married at NYC City Hall?

One of the best parts about a City Hall wedding is how affordable it is:

• Marriage License: $35

• Ceremony: $25

That means you can get married in New York City for $60.

Do You Need a Witness?

Yes — you need at least one witness age 18+.

Your witness can be:

• A friend

• Family member

• Your photographer (ahhh, I'd be honored!)

Your witness will sign paperwork before your ceremony.

Arrive 20–30 Minutes Early

Even with an appointment, I always recommend arriving 20–30 minutes early.

There’s often a line of couples with the same appointment time, and arriving early keeps your day relaxed.

As a photographer, I always agree to show up 30 minutes before your scheduled time so we can all enter together. City Hall does not allow individuals to walk in without the couple present, so it's important we arrive together.

Wait Times Vary

Wait times can vary depending on the borough. I’ve photographed City Hall weddings in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, and honestly, it varies every time at each location. I've never had a consistent wait time experience.

Sometimes you're in and out quickly. Other times there's a longer wait.

Manhattan typically has the longest wait — but it's also the most aesthetically pleasing courthouse. It was recently featured at the end of The Materialists.

The Full Experience Usually Takes 20–60 Minutes

While the ceremony itself is short, the full experience usually takes 20–60 minutes depending on wait times.

The Ceremony Is Short (But Still Meaningful)

The ceremony is typically 30–60 seconds.

You can:

• Exchange rings

• Hold hands

• Kiss

But you cannot customize the ceremony wording.

If you'd like to exchange personal vows, I recommend doing them before or after your ceremony at a nearby location.

Something I hear many couples say after their ceremony is how fast it was but also how surprisingly emotional it was. After your ceremony, we can stick around the courthouse to take photos and let you really soak in that you just got married. There's no need to rush out.

What Should You Wear to City Hall?

Anything you want.

That’s one of the best parts.

You can:

• Dress to the nines

• Wear something simple

• Go funky and stylish

• Keep it casual

City Hall weddings can be completely pressure-free — or totally fashion-forward.

If you're planning a larger wedding later, you might even wear something more creative for City Hall.

Best Photo Locations Near NYC City Hall

One of the best parts about getting married at City Hall is exploring afterward.

Some of my favorite nearby locations:

• Brooklyn Bridge (this one takes about 15-20 minutes to walk to)

• Pier 17 (you could take a Lyft or Uber here in a jiffy)

• Chinatown

• Vintage-looking 4/5/6 subway stops

I also recommend taking the subway between locations — not only is it efficient, but it also gives us those iconic New York subway photo vibes.

How Much Time Should You Plan for City Hall Wedding Photos?

Here’s what I typically recommend:

90 MinutesPerfect if you want:

• Ceremony coverage

• Family photos

• A short walk nearby

2–3 HoursIdeal if you want:

• Multiple locations

• Subway photos

• Exploring neighborhoods

• A relaxed experience

We’ll also plan after time together, whether that means:

• Going to your favorite restaurant

• Wandering the city

• Visiting multiple neighborhoods

• Taking the subway to different spots

Planning ahead helps me guide you through locations efficiently since I know how long it takes to travel between spots.

A Note About International Paperwork

If you need to process international paperwork after your ceremony, I recommend either:

• Doing it on a later date if it's possible for you to come back to the courthouse.

  or

• Allotting an extra 40 minutes for your paperwork to be completed.

I once had a couple wait about 30 minutes for their paperwork, which cut into their photo time — so it’s definitely something to plan ahead for.

You Can't Get Married on Weekends

City Hall is closed on weekends since it's a government office.

That means ceremonies are:

Monday through Friday only

I recommend morning appointments if possible, since afternoons tend to be busier.

A NYC City Hall Wedding Might Be Perfect If You:

• Want something non-traditional

• Are planning a bigger celebration later

• Want a relaxed wedding experience

• Love exploring the city

• Want something affordable

• Prefer intimate weddings

• Want something spontaneous

The Best Part About Getting Married at City Hall?

The best part about getting married at City Hall is what happens afterward.

Siani and Luis wandered through the city with their closest people. We walked, laughed, and hopped on the train to Chinatown.

It was relaxed, joyful, and completely them.

And honestly? Some of my favorite wedding days to photograph have looked exactly like that.

If you have more questions I haven't answered or want to book me to photograph your City Hall wedding, let's start that conversation here.