Marriage Services

Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials.  May Allah shower you both with his mercy and envelop you in his grace and unite you in goodness.

Masjid Alfalah is pleased to offer our community wedding ceremonies, subject to the Reservations policy and applicable Rules.  You may request the Imam to perform the Nikah ceremony or arrange for your own Imam, subject to advance permission.

In adherence with Islamic legal requirements, IAGH policy requires the following:

• All weddings must be legally registered
• Presence of all parties and their representatives
• Each individual must be 18 or older, even if allowed by NY law
• Public announcement
• Masjid Alfalah reserves the right to refuse wedding ceremonies which fail to comply with the above policy.

Premarital Counseling

Masjid Alfalah  strongly recommends premarital counseling to assist in ironing out potential issues before the marriage ceremony.  Imam is available for a wide range of counseling services.  The Masjid Alfalah also reserves the right to refuse wedding ceremonies where pre-marital counseling has not taken place, subject to the discretion of our Imam and the Board.

Obtaining a Marriage License

Where do you get a marriage license?
A couple who intends to be married in New York State must apply in person for a marriage license to any town or city clerk in the state. The application for a license must be signed by both applicants in the presence of the town or city clerk. A representative cannot apply for the license on behalf of the applicant. This applies even if the representative has been given a Power of Attorney.

Notarized marriage license affidavits signed by the applicants cannot be substituted for their personal appearance.

Is there a waiting period?
Yes. Although the marriage license is issued immediately, the marriage ceremony may not take place within 24 hours from the exact time that the license was issued.

The 24-hour waiting period may be waived by a judge or justice of the Supreme Court of New York State or the county judge of the county in which either party to be married resides, or if such party is at least seventeen years of age, the judge of the Family Court of such county.

How long is the license valid?
A marriage license is valid for 60 calendar days, beginning the day after it is issued.

How much does the license cost?
If the marriage license is issued by a town or city clerk in New York State outside of New York City, it costs $40. This fee includes the issuance of a Certificate of Marriage Registration. This certificate is automatically sent by the issuing clerk to the applicants within 15 calendar days after the completed license is returned by the officiant (person who performs the marriage ceremony). It serves as notice that a record of the marriage is on file. Couples who do not receive a Certificate of Marriage Registration within four weeks of the wedding should contact the town or city clerk who issued the license.

If the license is to be issued by the City Clerk of the City of New York, please contact the New York City Clerk's Office for current fees and requirements. The City Clerk's Office can be reached at (212) NEW-YORK or via its web site at New York City Marriage Bureau.