Marriage License Information

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 A person is required to establish proof of age and identity by submitting required documentation to the Clerk. Both parties must provide all of the following:

One of the following age-related documents:

1. Original birth certificate with raised seal, or certified copy
2. Baptismal record
3. Naturalization record
4. Census record

One of the following photo identifications:

1. Photo Drivers License
2. Valid Passport
3. Green Card or Naturalization Papers
4. Military Photo ID

Proof of Social Security Number (One of the following):

1. Social Security Card

2. Past Income Tax Forms

3. Any document providing proof of your entire Social Security Number on the form 

(NOTE: Social Security Numbers of the applicants are mandatory. They are required by NY State Domestic Relations Law Section 15 and 42 U.S.C. 666(a).  They may be used for child support enforcement purposes.)

Previous Marriages 

Information regarding ALL previous marriages must be furnished in the application for a marriage license. This includes whether the former spouse or spouses are living and whether the applicants are divorced and, if so, when, where and against whom the divorce or divorces were granted. A certified copy of the Decree of Divorce or a Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage will be required by the clerk issuing the marriage license. We cannot issue a marriage license without proof of how your previous marriage(s) ended.

If the person officiating your wedding does not regularly perform marriage ceremonies, they may need a One-Day Officiant License. Reach out to the Manchester Town Clerk's Office if you're unsure!

ONE-DAY WEDDING OFFICIANT LICENSE:

New York State now requires a One-Day Officiant License for all persons not previously ordained. This is only good for one marriage ceremony, and the officiant must:

1. be 18 years of age or older

2. register with the same municipality that issues the marriage license

3. Pay a $25 registration fee

4. Show proof of ID

The One-Day Officiant does not need to be a resident of New York State, but they must apply for this one-day license for every wedding they will officiate along with a $25 fee for each wedding. You may also apply for the one-day officiant license by mail by sending the completed form at the bottom of this page; a $25 check made out to "The Town of Manchester"; and a photocopy of a form of identification such as a driver's license or passport. These three things must be submitted in order to issue the One-Day Officiant License. If applying by mail, please submit documents to:

Town Clerk

1272 County Rd 7

Clifton Springs, NY 14432

*Note: The marriage license worksheet at the bottom of this page details the information needed to complete a marriage license application and may be helpful during the process 

How much does the marriage license cost?

The fee for obtaining a Marriage License is $40.00. 

The fee for obtaining a One-Day Officiant License (if needed) is an ADDITIONAL $25.00.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept Cash, Check , Money Order, Credit Cards & Debit Cards

Note: Credit and Debit Cards will be charge $1.75 fee in addition to the $40.00.

How long is the marriage license valid?

A marriage license if valid for 60 days, beginning exactly 24 hours after it is issued.

How long is the One-Day Officiant License good for?

A One-Day Officiant License expires on the date the couple is married or their marriage license expires, whichever occurs first.

How old do I have to be to apply for a marriage license?

The age of consent is now 18 years old (17 with either parental or judicial consent would be necessary). Please contact the Manchester Town Clerk's Office with any questions.

Do I need an appointment?

While not mandatory, we highly recommend reaching out ahead of time so we can accommodate your request.

Who can perform a marriage ceremony?

To be valid, a marriage ceremony must be performed by any of the individuals specified in Section 11 of the NY State Domestic Relations Law. These include:

• Mayor of a city or village;
• Former mayor, City Clerk or one of the Deputy City Clerks of a city of more than one million inhabitants;
• Marriage officer appointed by the town or village board or the city common council;
• Justice or judge of the following courts: the U.S. COURT of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the U.S District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern or Western Districts of the New York, the NYS Court of Appeals, the Appellate Division of the NYS Supreme Court, the NYS Supreme Court, the Court of Claims, the Family Court, a Surrogates' Court, the Civil and Criminal Courts of New York City (including Housing Judges of the Civil Court) and other courts of record;
• Village, Town or County Justice;
• a member of the clergy or minister who has been officially ordained or granted authority to perform marriage ceremonies from a governing church body in accordance with the rules and regulations of the church body;
• a member of the clergy or minister who is not authorized by a governing church body in accordance with the rules and regulations of the church body;
• a member of the clergy or minister who is not authorized by a governing church body but who has been chose by a spiritual group to preside over the spiritual affairs;
• other officiants as specified by Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law.
• Someone that has applied for and received a One-Day Officiant license with the municipality where the couple obtained their marriage license.

*The person performing the ceremony must be registered with the City of New York in order to perform a ceremony within the New York City limits. The officiant does not have to be a resident of New York State. Ship Captains are not authorized to perform marriage ceremonies in New York State.*