--- title: "City Hall Wedding Rings NYC: Choosing Bands for the Clerk's Office" byline: "Love & Carat" series: new_york published: 2026-09-30T12:59:42.956Z updated: 2026-09-30T12:59:42.956Z canonical: https://loveandcaratnewyork.com/blog/city-hall-wedding-rings-nyc-choosing-bands disclosure: editorial sources: - "Office of the City Clerk - New York City - https://www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/content/marriage-ceremony" - "Marriage Ceremony · NYC311 - https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02124" - "Marriage License · NYC311 - https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02115" - "City Clerk - https://cityclerkforms.nyc.gov/cityclerkformsonline/marriageLicense.htm" - "Information on Getting Married in New York State - https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/4210/" --- # City Hall Wedding Rings NYC: Choosing Bands for the Clerk's Office _Written by Love & Carat about the stones we sell. Not an independent review._ **The short answer** - As NYC311 listed it in September 2026, a City Clerk ceremony needs a valid New York State marriage license, a witness over 18, matching photo ID and a $25 fee; rings aren't on that list, so ask the City Clerk about them. - According to NYC311, as listed in September 2026, the ceremony must be at least 24 hours after you receive the license unless a judge waives the wait, and the license is usually valid for 60 days, so we'd order bands before you apply. - According to NYC311, as listed in September 2026, ceremonies are held Monday through Friday by appointment only, booked through Project Cupid, with no more than six attendees. - A plain band in the same metal as the engagement ring is a simple way to avoid paying for additional stones; add stones only if you'll notice them every day. As listed by [NYC311 in September 2026](https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02124), bring a valid New York State marriage license, at least one witness over 18, the $25 fee, and the same type of photo identification that you, your partner and your witness used when obtaining the license; rings are not on that list. That list doesn't say whether a ring exchange is part of the ceremony, so ask the City Clerk if it matters to you. Either way, as NYC311 listed the rules in September 2026, you'll be fitting your bands around a weekday ceremony that must be [at least 24 hours after you receive the license](https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02115) (unless a judge waives the wait) and within its usual 60-day validity. ## What does the City Clerk actually require on the day? Start here, because the paperwork sets the calendar your rings have to fit into. As of September 2026, [the City Clerk requires appointments for in-person visits and does not allow walk-ins](https://www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/content/marriage-ceremony); virtual appointments for marriage licenses are also available. You book the ceremony through Project Cupid at nyc.gov/cupid, or by phone through 311. According to [NYC311's marriage ceremony page](https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02124), as listed in September 2026: - You, your partner and your witness should arrive between 8:30 AM and 3:15 PM, Monday through Friday. - The ceremony costs $25, paid by credit card, debit card or money order. - You need a valid New York State marriage license and at least one witness over the age of 18. - All three of you must bring the same type of photo ID you used to get the license. - You get a Marriage Certificate the same day. Ceremonies are held in all five borough offices. Although many people call it a City Hall wedding, NYC311 lists the Manhattan City Clerk office in the Municipal Building at 141 Worth Street. [NYC311 lists a limit of six attendees](https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02124), including the couple and their witness, as of September 2026. With so few people there, decide in advance who holds them. Your witness is the natural choice, and a pocket is safer than a loose box in a handbag. ## Are rings part of a City Hall ceremony? The City's pages describe a civil ceremony and list what to bring, and rings aren't mentioned either way. That tells you what to pack, not whether a ring exchange is included. If you'd like to exchange rings, ask the Office of the City Clerk ahead of time, through 311, whether an exchange can be part of the ceremony, and bring the bands in case it can. One detail is worth knowing if you plan to engrave the bands. The City Clerk's marriage license application provides a place to elect a new surname. According to [the City Clerk's application guidance](https://cityclerkforms.nyc.gov/cityclerkformsonline/marriageLicense.htm), a name change "takes effect immediately upon the completion of your Marriage Ceremony." As listed by [NYC311 in September 2026](https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02115), changing a surname through the City Clerk's office after a marriage ceremony requires remarrying; check the City Clerk's guidance for your circumstances. So settle names before you order engraving. If you want to engrave before deciding on surnames, consider a date or first-name initials instead. ## How do you time the bands around the license? For a City Clerk ceremony, plan your band order around the license's validity period rather than assuming you can get the rings at the last minute. We suggest having your rings in hand before applying for the license. As of September 2026, NYC311 says: - The license [costs $35](https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02115). - You get it the same day if you bring all the necessary documents. - The ceremony must take place at least 24 hours after you receive the license. - According to the [New York State Department of Health](https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/4210/), a license is valid for 60 calendar days; if either party is active U.S. military, the period may be extended to 180 calendar days upon proof of active duty provided when applying. The State Department of Health's guide adds that the 60 days are [calendar days, beginning the day after it is issued](https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/4210/). NYC311 also describes a Judicial Waiver of the 24-hour wait, requested from the County Clerk. Check [NYC311's license guidance](https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02115) for the waiver process and ask the relevant office about your circumstances. Working backwards, we'd suggest this order: 1. Choose and order the bands. 2. Have them delivered, try them on and get any resizing done. 3. Book the license appointment. 4. Book the ceremony within the license's validity period and, unless you have a Judicial Waiver, at least 24 hours after the license is issued, as NYC311 listed these rules in September 2026; check NYC311 for the current rules before you book. Leave time for delivery and any resizing before you schedule around the license. **Plan for the signature:** Our orders ship insured and signed for, so plan for someone to sign for the delivery. Pick a delivery address where that's easy, and check the timings on our shipping page before you book the license. Our [shipping and insurance details](/policies/shipping) cover how delivery works. We pay the import duty on orders to the US. Read our [returns policy](/policies/returns) before you order, so you know your options if a band doesn't sit right. ## Which bands sit well with an engagement ring? If you plan to wear both rings together, consider how they sit side by side. A few things decide that. **The shape and setting of the center stone.** A high-set solitaire may leave room for a straight band to sit flush, but check the fit with your particular setting. A low-set center stone, whatever its shape, may leave a gap beside a straight band. That's why some couples choose a curved or notched band. If you're still choosing the engagement ring, think about the band at the same time. **Width.** A band close in width to the engagement ring's shank tends to look like a matched pair. A much wider band can overpower a slim solitaire. **Side stones.** If your engagement ring already has [side stones](/), a plain band can look cleaner than another row of sparkle next to it. Our advice: try a plain band beside your engagement ring before you pay for added stones. If it looks just as good to you, there's no need to pay for stones you won't notice once the rings are stacked. ## Metal, sizing and everyday wear **Metal.** Match the band to the engagement ring's metal where you can. Rings worn together can rub against each other; if a matching color matters to you, compare the specific alloys and finishes before ordering. If you're choosing a gold band set with stones, compare how the stones look against yellow, white and rose gold. **Sizing.** Your ring size can change a little through the day and with the weather. Get sized more than once, at different times of day, before you order. Use a comfortable engagement ring as a starting point, but check the band's fit separately; a wider band can feel tighter than a slim one in the same size. **On the day.** According to [NYC311](https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02124), as listed in September 2026, City Clerk ceremonies take place on weekdays, and the Manhattan City Clerk office is in the Municipal Building at 141 Worth Street. You may be heading straight on to lunch or photos afterward. Keep the bands securely packed on the way to the ceremony, and decide in advance who will carry them. If the City Clerk confirms an exchange can be included, you can put the bands on during the ceremony; if not, you can exchange them afterward. ## What should a City Hall band budget look like? The City Clerk's published fees are only one part of what you'll spend on your wedding. As listed by NYC311 in September 2026, the license is $35 and the ceremony is $25. That's a good reason to keep the rings in proportion too, and there are two simple ways to do it. **Start with a plain band.** If you like its look beside your engagement ring, a plain band lets you avoid paying for additional stones. **If you want diamonds, look at lab-grown diamonds.** Lab-grown diamonds usually cost less than comparable natural ones. For small stones set side by side, compare how the finished bands look and choose the less expensive option when they look the same to you. If you'd like to learn more, see our [lab-grown diamond guide](/education/lab-grown-diamond). Every diamond we sell comes with a GIA or IGI grading report. **Don't buy with resale in mind.** Diamonds are not investments, and a wedding band isn't a place to store value. Buy for how it looks and feels on your hand. If you insure your rings, your insurer may ask for an independent appraisal. **Check sales tax before you order.** For whether sales tax applies to your purchase and at what rate, check the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. For background, see our [New York sales tax on jewelry guide](/blog/new-york-sales-tax-jewelry). **The rings you'll actually wear, in hand before the license: that's the whole plan for a City Hall wedding.** A short checklist for the week of the ceremony: - Bands delivered, signed for and tried on. - Confirmation email for the ceremony appointment. - Marriage license, issued at least 24 hours earlier (or with a Judicial Waiver) and still within its validity period. - The same photo ID you used for the license, for you, your partner and your witness. - $25 by card or money order. - A witness over 18; decide who will carry the rings. ## Frequently asked questions **Do we have to exchange rings during a City Hall ceremony in New York?** Rings aren't on [NYC311's list of what to bring](https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02124), as listed in September 2026, but that list doesn't say whether an exchange is included or expected. Ask the Office of the City Clerk, through 311, before the day. **Can we bring more guests to watch us exchange rings?** According to [NYC311](https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02124), as listed in September 2026, the limit is six attendees, including the two of you and your witness. Plan who is holding the rings around that number. **Is a diamond wedding band a good investment?** No. Diamonds are not investments, and we never promise resale value. Buy the band you want to wear. If you insure it, your insurer may ask for an independent appraisal. **When should our bands arrive if we're marrying at City Hall?** We'd have them in hand before the license appointment, with time to check the fit. According to [NYC311](https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02115), as listed in September 2026, a license is usually valid for 60 days; ordering earlier leaves room to handle resizing or a missed signed-for delivery.