Eloping in NYC is simpler than most couples expect, and it is having a real moment. No 150-person guest list, no year of planning, just the two of you, the city, and a day that is entirely yours. Here is exactly how to do it, step by step.
1 Get your marriage license
Everything starts here. In New York, you apply for a marriage license together, either online through the City Clerk Project Cupid portal or by scheduling an in-person appointment. Two things to plan around:
- There is a mandatory 24-hour waiting period after the license is issued before you can marry.
- The license is valid for 60 days, so do not get it too early either.
2 Pick your spot
This is the fun part. A few iconic NYC elopement backdrops:
- Central Park (Bow Bridge, Bethesda Terrace, or a quiet cop cot)
- Brooklyn Bridge Park and DUMBO, with the skyline behind you
- The High Line or a rooftop at golden hour
- Fort Tryon Park and the Cloisters for a garden feel
- City Hall, then a beautiful lunch to celebrate
3 Book an officiant
You need a licensed officiant to legally marry you and sign your license. This is where a good officiant earns their keep, guiding the moment, handling the paperwork, and making sure the license is completed and returned correctly so you actually get your marriage certificate.
4 The ceremony
Your elopement ceremony can be as short as a few minutes or as personal as you like. Bring a witness if you want one, write your own vows, and take your time. Speaking of vows, our fill-in-the-blank vow guide makes writing them easy.
5 Celebrate
Then go celebrate, just the two of you or with your closest few. A tasting menu, a rooftop toast, a photo walk through the city you just got married in. With no big reception to fund, the whole day can feel like a luxury experience.
Far less than a traditional wedding. Our wedding experiences range from a simple legal ceremony to a full luxury elopement, so you can spend only on what matters to you.
Do we need witnesses?
New York does not strictly require a witness for the ceremony, but many couples like to bring one. Your officiant signs the license.
How fast can we do it?
Once your license clears the 24-hour wait, you can marry any time within the 60-day window.
Ready to elope in NYC?
Married by NotarEaseNYC officiates intimate elopements and handles the license and paperwork, so all you have to do is show up and say I do.
This article is general information. Confirm current marriage license requirements with the Office of the City Clerk, and check permit rules for any public location before your ceremony.