Steps to Getting Married in New York

New York is a wonderful state and you have everything at your finger tips. Why not get married here? To do so you need the following information:

STEP 1: You must apply for a marriage license at any town or city clerk in the state.
Both the bride and groom must appear in person, no proxies.

The ceremony cannot take place within 24 hours from the exact time the license was issued.

The license is valid for 60 days, beginning after the day it is issued.

The fee is $35-$40

A Marriage License issued in New York can be used anywhere within New York State but cannot be used outside New York State.

When you apply for the marriage license you must bring with you proof of age and identity. Accepted documents are:

- Birth Certificate
- Baptismal Record
- Naturalization record
- Census Record

AND One of the Following:

- Driver’s License
- Passport
- Employment Picture ID
- Immigration Record

A blood test is not required to obtain a marriage license in New York.

STEP 2: Have the ceremony. Destination weddings are great but if you are concerned with the legality of an out of country marriage it may be beneficial to have a civil ceremony. Here are the steps to follow to having a civil ceremony:

You can attend the local City Clerk’s office to have a civil ceremony.
No appointments or reservations required.

The ceremony is performed during normal business hours.

Bride and groom must appear together with the same identity information used to obtain the marriage license.

Have your marriage license.
You must have at least one witness, over the age of 18 and they must bring proper identification.

You will receive a Certificate of Marriage Registration that is the official document for your wedding.

Congratulations!

Changing Your Name

Although we live in a modern society, the questions still arises for new brides, and sometimes grooms, if they should change their last name and how to go about doing it. Some change their last name because of tradition, may be easier when you start having children and for mailing purposes to be addressed the same last name, and some want to feel more united to their spouse.

Whatever your reason for changing your last name, it can be a confusing and overwhelming experience if you don’t know who to contact and what to do. Here is the basic information for anyone interested in changing their last name:


Change your name after the wedding and honeymoon. If you change your name before make sure you have all the proper documents, like your passport, has your new name when you travel.

Have a Certified Marriage License with for your appointments and records.

Contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 to change your name. There is no cost, so if anyone tries to charge you it is a scam.

Go to the DMV in person. Bring your Certified Marriage License and new Social Security Card.

When you have completed these changes you can make other name changes with other institutions. Call them to see their requirements.

-Friends and family
-Employers/payroll
-Post office
-Phone company and other utilities
-Banks and other financial institutions
-Credit card companies
-Schools and alumni associations
-Voter registration
-Passport
-Mortgages and leases
-Wills
-Insurance policies
-Magazine subscriptions

If you decided not to change your name because you want to keep your identity or to keep your family name, that is acceptable as well. However, you may still be addressed and Mrs. Smith by some, but don’t let that bother you if you decide to keep your last name.

Wedding Insurance

Not many people know about wedding insurance. It is fairly new to the market and has caught the attention of both industry professionals and couples. Everyone hopes everything will be flawless the day of but some circumstances, like the recent December blizzard, may entice couple’s to purchase wedding insurance.

Wedding insurance guards the couple’s investment from circumstances beyond their control and reimburses expenses incurred, if applicable.

Depending on the type and amount of coverage, costs can range between $150 - $500

Basic Coverage with Wedding Insurance
Any problems with:
-The venue
-The weather, may it be a down pour of rain or a blizzard
-Key people (bride, groom, parents)
-A sickness or injury

Change of heart is not covered under any wedding insurance plan.

Before you purchase any insurance, talk to your vendors, coordinator, and insurance provider to get all the information regarding your event. Each wedding and scenario is different; you may not need any insurance.

Some providers include:

www.wedsafe.com
www.protectmywedding.com
www.weddinginsurance.com

Great Wedding Invitations

One important question that many brides ask is "Where can I get great invitations without having to travel all the way to India?" There are many places that can provide brides with one-on-one service, unique designs, and create excellent invitations. Here are some stateside invitation shops that can provide brides with great invitations:

Zoya Couture: http://www.zoyadc.com
Saima Says Design: http://www.saimasaysdesign.com
Alpine Creative Group: http://www.aplinecreativegroup.com
Patel Printing Plus: http://www.patelprintingplus.com