Forms and Books to be Furnished

The State of New York has rules and regulations related to the procedure for obtaining a marriage license and getting married. A couple wishing to get married must complete a form to get a marriage license. It is the responsibility of New York State Department of Health to provide the blank forms that must be used to apply for a marriage license. Furthermore, the Department of Health has the responsibility of providing forms for certificates, statements, and affidavits, and any other forms that are related to marriages. To ensure that you are completing the proper, official forms to apply for a marriage license, to get a certified copy of your marriage record, or any other document related to getting married or your marriage, make sure you use forms provided by the New York Department of Health. Such forms are available at the clerk’s office of towns and cities throughout New York. If you are facing legal issues related to your marriage, it is important to immediately contact an experienced New York family lawyer. New York’s rules related to marriage, annulment, custody, and divorce are very complicated, so it is important to address them right away.

In order to get married, you must first get a marriage license. The form that the Department of Health requires is available from local town and city clerk’s offices. It is an affidavit. You and your prospective spouse each must provide detailed information including your name, address, date and country of birth, names of your parents, social security number, and marital history.

If you were married before, you must list all prior marriages, and the date the divorce decree was granted. You may be required to produce proof of divorce. Your divorce or annulment must be final before you apply for a new marriage license. If your previous spouse is deceased, you must provide his or her name and date of death.

While you can initiate the process online, you must sign the application in person. Both parties must appear in person, along with identification, and must sign the marriage license application. You also must pay a fee. After your marriage is solemnized by an authorized person, he or she must sign your marriage license and return it to the clerk’s office.

1. Records to be kept by the state department of health and the city clerk of the city of New York: New York Domestic Relations Law, section 20
2. Certified transcripts of records; state commissioner of health may furnish: New York Domestic Relations Law, section 20-a
3. Certification of marriage; state commissioner of health may furnish: New York Domestic Relations Law, section 20-b

The proper books for registration, blank forms for marriage licenses, certificates, statements and affidavits and such other blanks as shall be necessary to comply with the provisions of this article, shall be prepared by the state department of health and shall be furnished by said department at the expense of the state to the town and city clerks filing records with the state department of health in such quantities as their necessities shall require.

New York law related to marriage, divorce, custody, and other family issues is very detailed and complex. If you or a loved one has a concern related to a family matter, the New York family lawyers at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates have the experience, skill, and resources to help. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: Suffolk County, Bronx, Nassau County, Queens, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Staten Island, and Westchester County.