After a decade’s long wait to receive the right to marry, same-sex couples will finally be able to walk down the aisle on July 24. On this date – a Sunday – City Clerk’s offices will open their doors allowing wedding bells to ring throughout the city.
“This is a historic moment for New York, a moment many couples have waited years and even decades to see – and we are not going to make them wait one day longer than they have to,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a staunch supporter of marriage equality.
Usually closed on the weekends, the Clerk’s offices will open their doors at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 24 for the expected rush of eager newlyweds-to-be. The office will be open until 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, and will stay open an additional two hours – until 6:30 p.m. – from July 25 to July 29. To be guaranteed service it is suggested applicants arrive to the offices at least 45 minutes before closing time.
The Marriage Equality Act passed the State Senate on June 24 a week after passing in the Assembly, giving same-sex couples the same rights to marry as couples of the opposite sex.
Same-sex couples were able to begin applying for marriage licenses on July 5. Couples planning on marriage can begin the application on-line at https://www.cityclerk.nyc.gov, but must appear together in person at the Office of the City Clerk to complete the application. A marriage license costs $35 and a ceremony is $25. Only credit cards and money orders are accepted.
Licenses will be given out on the 24th, but only those who receive a Judicial Waiver will be able to wed that day. There is a 24-hour waiting period after receiving a license before a ceremony can be performed.
Extra judges will be on hand on the historic day to review waiver requests and perform ceremonies.
“Our staff will be ready for the large numbers of people on the first day,” said City Clerk Michael McSweeney.
The Queens City Clerk office is located on the ground floor of the Borough Hall building at 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens.
