This story is part of “I Do” Downtown, a series on all things weddings in Lower Manhattan. Find the series here.
You heard it here first: Courthouse weddings are chic. There’s something classically romantic about eloping in the heart of downtown, among countless other New Yorkers who decided to make their love legally binding in a stately 19th-century civic building. You can save cash on the big to-do, wear whatever you want and walk out the door as newlyweds, marriage certificate in hand!
Whether you’re doing the legal deed ahead of a larger celebration or keeping your nuptials low-key, having your ceremony at City Hall is a lovely, low-maintenance way to officially tie the knot. Though it’s not quite as easy as you think; a City Hall wedding, which technically takes place at the City Clerk’s office, does require a little paperwork and planning. But don’t worry — we’re here to walk you through each step, from the bureaucratic stuff to the post-ceremony photo-ops and celebratory meals with a view.
The nitty-gritty: How to obtain your marriage license, schedule your marriage ceremony, what and who to bring, etc.
There are two key pieces to getting courthouse-married, and they require a little advance planning: 1) obtaining your marriage license, and 2) scheduling your marriage ceremony.
Getting your marriage license comes first. You must obtain a marriage license at least one day and at most 60 days before you officially tie the knot. You can apply online for a marriage license via the Marriage Bureau’s Project Cupid portal. You’ll be prompted to fill out a form with you and your partner’s personal information, including address, family members and whether either of you has been married before — dust off any divorce certificates, because you’ll need to reference them — and pay a fee of $35.
Once your application is accepted, you can schedule your marriage license appointment, which can be in-person or virtual. Some couples may opt for the latter so they don’t have to make two trips to the courthouse. During your appointment, a clerk will confirm all the information in your application and issue you a marriage license immediately after. If you made a virtual appointment, make sure you and your spouse are both in the same room, with access to audio and video. The clerk will email your license; be sure to print it out to bring it with you to your ceremony.
Once you have your marriage license, it’s time to schedule your ceremony, which has to be held in person at the Manhattan City Clerk’s Office, on 141 Worth St. (Technically, you can schedule your ceremony before you obtain your license, but make sure you plan in advance so you receive your license ahead of your appointment.)
You can schedule your appointment online at Project Cupid; be sure to select Manhattan under “location.” Appointments are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and slots open up two weeks in advance, so plan accordingly. Anecdotally, Fridays tend to be the busiest day, but as a bonus, you get to witness many other lovey-dovey-New Yorkers tying the knot along with you, which can make the day feel extra festive.
Now for the day-of. First and foremost, remember to bring your marriage license with you. You’re also required to bring one witness with you to your ceremony, and you’re allowed up to four guests total. You, your partner and your witness all need to bring a photo ID. You’ll pay an additional $25 fee for the marriage ceremony.
Once you’re there, the experience plays out a little like a visit to the DMV, except romantic (the Department of Manhattan Valentines?!). For instance, consider the time of your appointment more of a suggestion than a decree; you may encounter a long security line or be held in the waiting room for a bit if it’s a particularly busy day. Once you enter the courthouse, you’ll check in at a kiosk where you’ll receive a ticket with a call number. From there, you’ll proceed to a main waiting area until they call your number. (There’s a City Hall mural in this room where many couples take pictures — it’s a great spot for a photo opp while you’re waiting.) At yet another kiosk, you’ll present your marriage license, photo IDs and pay the $25 fee. Finally, your party will enter into the wedding “chapel,” where a city clerk acts as your officiant, overseeing a speedy ceremony. (It’s seriously speedy — the whole thing could literally take under three minutes.) You can exchange rings, have a quick first kiss and then ta-da, you’re married!
Where to take photos
Congratulations, you navigated all the red tape of civil elopement! Now, time to celebrate.
You’ll probably want a few photos to capture this special day, whether you appointed your best friend and their iPhone, or hired an actual elopement photographer. And great news — downtown has plenty of romantic spots for pics.
The courthouse steps are iconic, though you’ll have to fight off the other couples for a good shot. A few blocks away, City Hall Park provides a quiet, tree-lined oasis with green lawns, fountains and sculptures, apt for capturing a few “just married” shots.
Just a two minute walk away, the Beekman Hotel is an elegant locale ripe for photoshoots. There’s the nine-story atrium flooding the space with natural light, a Victorian-era library and the Bar Room with its Old New York, speakeasy charm. Pro-tip: If you book the Beekman for a post-elopement celebration, they’ll let you photograph in any public space in the hotel, which is a bonus!
Around the neighborhood, you’ll find backdrops for every mood. Stroll the Seaport or the Battery for waterfront views (the Sea Glass Carousel is a particularly cute spot for pics), Stone Street for cobblestones and old-timey taverns, or visit Trinity Church for quiet, neo-Gothic beauty. A short walk from the courthouse, the Brooklyn Bridge is easily one of the most picturesque bridges in New York City, if not the entire country.
You can also take photos on the water. Board the NYC, Staten Island or Governors Island Ferry, which are all a short stroll away. And if you want the downtown skyline as your backdrop, take your pics one boat stop away — on Governors Island, at Brooklyn Bridge Park or in Dumbo.
Where to eat and celebrate
La Parisienne
Depending on when your appointment lets out, you’ll be ready for a celebratory lunch or early dinner. Here are a few tasty options, ranging from casual to fine dining, old-fashioned haunts and restaurants with awe-dropping views.
For a low-key lunch or brunch, try La Parisienne for satisfying fare like croque madames or monsieurs, pate and fresh salads. Indulge in a hefty dim sum lunch at Dim Sum Palace, or fill up on elevated Italian classics at Antica or Da Claudio. For a late lunch in a festive atmosphere (followed by newly-wed karaoke?) try Gunbae for Korean barbecue, bibimbap and more.
Don’t overlook the aforementioned Beekman Hotel, which is home to acclaimed eateries: Tom Colicchio’s retro fine-dining favorite Temple Court (which also houses the Bar Room, if you’d prefer to dine on small plates), or Daniel Boulud’s French comfort-food hub Le Gratin.
Soak in the history of downtown at its oldest haunts, like Fraunces Tavern and Delmonico’s, or the Dead Rabbit (while not literally as old as the other two, evokes the “Gangs of New York” era, so close enough) which all make for a hearty and boozy lunch or dinner amid old-world ambience.
If you wanna go big with sky-high views, (we’re talking 60+ stories), try Danny Meyer’s Manhatta, or the double Michelin-starred SAGA or One Dine. But word to the wise: you might want to make a reservation for one of these spots well in advance.