Elaborate weddings aren’t everyone’s style. If you’re looking forward to something more intimate, eloping could be the perfect way to start your happily ever after. Use this Albany City Hall elopement guide to figure out what eloping could look like for you and your partner.

1. Apply for Your Marriage License

People often picture themselves eloping without much planning involved. Elopements can definitely be more straightforward than elaborate ceremonies. However, city hall officials still need a heads-up due to the paperwork involved.

I always recommend that my couples choose their ceremony date carefully. You’ll need to wait 24 hours after applying for your marriage license to have your ceremony. After that, your license is only valid for 60 days. If you wait longer, you’ll need to re-apply.

There is an exception for military personnel. If you provide documentation proving that you or your partner have active duty status, the issuing clerk can make your license valid for 180 days.

Once you know when you want to get married, you can head down to the city hall to start the application process. An in-person appointment is required by state law, so give them a call to make an appointment. Albany City Hall officials perform marriages between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM on Mondays through Fridays. Don’t forget to bring each of these essentials for you and your fiance:

• Your birth certificates (baptismal certificates or naturalization papers are accepted for individuals without birth certificates)
• Your photo IDs (driver’s licenses, non-driver’s IDs, or work IDs with your birth dates on them)
• Annulment, divorce, or death certificates if you or your partner were previously married

Albany City Hall accepts cash or credit cards for marriage licenses. After an official verifies your identification paperwork and walks you through the marriage registration forms, you’ll pay the $40 fee. Both partners must be present to apply and pay for your license.

I also know some couples have heard that they need a blood test (!!!???) to get married in New York. Blood tests are no longer a requirement in any state, so New York doesn’t ask for one or a physical exam to provide a marriage license.

2. Consider What You’ll Wear

Flexibility is the best part of eloping. You and your partner are free to wear whatever you want without the traditions surrounding a wedding altar. My past couples have worn a classic suit and white evening dress, a summer dress and khakis, or a formal gown with a linen suit.

You can of course go all out with the most formal outfits you can think of. It all depends on what vibe feels best for you and your partner.

Any good Albany City Hall elopement guide will note the $40 fee for your marriage license, but you should also remember that your wardrobe is part of your overall budget. The average elopement with traditional wedding attire and vendors ranges between $3,000-$8,000, but that’s not set in stone. You can choose to rearrange your budget based on what makes you and your fiance happiest.

3. Think About Your Photography Preferences

You don’t have to worry about any extra paperwork to take pictures at the city hall. It’s a public building, so photography is allowed. Whether you adore the venue for its Venetian-inspired tower or the three-story marble atrium within, you can capture it all in your elopement photos.

One of my past couples loved posing for a quiet word beneath the archways along the interior stairwell, although there’s really no bad place for a picture in Albany City Hall. The vintage vibe extends from the intricate mahogany elevator to the serene fountain garden behind the building. 

I highly recommend chatting about your picture preferences with your photographer before your big day arrives. You’ll discuss which kinds of photo goverage you want, like:

• Getting ready
• A first look
• Individual portraits
• Pictures with family
• Newlywed portraits after the ceremony

Candid shots are also an option many couples prefer. A professional photographer will know how to capture every moment exactly how you and your fiance want. You can always reach out to me to get into more detail about your elopement photography preferences. My previous work at Albany City Hall ensures you’ll get the most out of your experience at the historic public venue.

4. Choose an Officiant and Witness

Having a witness at your elopement ceremony is a legal requirement. The good news is that you can choose anyone you want. Your witness could be a friend, family member, or even your photographer. You don’t need to make travel arrangements for long-distance loved ones if you work with a local photographer like me.

You’ll also need to figure out who will officiate your elopement. A city clerk official can do this if you don’t have a specific person in mind. You can also ask a loved one to become a one-day marriage officiant.

There are a few key details to note here — they have to contact the same county clerk’s office where you’re getting your license. The short-term license also costs $25.

Additionally, your officiant must bring one of these identification documents when filing:

• A driver’s license
• A non-driver’s license
• A U.S. military ID
• A permanent resident card
• A passport

Timing is a key factor when you’re helping a loved one complete this documentation. A one-day Albany officiant license becomes inactive when your ceremony ends or your marriage license expires. Your officiant can fill out the required form on the day of your elopement or before.

5. Select Your Ceremony Space

Albany City Hall elopement guides sometimes forget to cover ceremony space options. Couples can get married in the judge’s chambers, the courtroom, by the fountain garden behind the building, or at the park across the street. Here’s how I present the options to couples who aren’t sure which is best for them:

• The judge’s office is private and beautiful, but small. You might prefer this space if you only have one witness or a few loved ones attending your ceremony.
• The courtroom is expansive and provides the courthouse-wedding vibe many couples want. However, there will be other people there for non-marriage reasons. If you’re fine with strangers in your pictures, it’s a gorgeous room for a ceremony.
• The fountain garden and park provides natural lighting and a different ceremony background than courthouse architecture. The space is expansive for a downtown location, so you can invite a larger group of loved ones if preferred.

My only other piece of advice is to consider which day of the week you’ll elope. The city hall officials only perform marriage ceremonies between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM on weekdays. There’s no way to tell which day will be busier, but it’s easy to assume more ceremonies will happen on Fridays. If you schedule your elopement for earlier in the week, you may have fewer strangers in your pictures. 

6. Discuss Your Vows and Ring Exchange Options

You don’t need to have an elaborate wedding to exchange personalized vows. The Albany City Hall judge or officiant will ask if you want to say vows you’ve written on your own. You can also opt for a traditional ceremony script they have on hand. 

Even your ring exchange is optional! Some people prefer exchanging rings and vows privately before leaving for city hall. You don’t have to make those things public if that isn’t your style. 

7. Finalize Your Budget

I can’t finish an Albany City Hall elopement guide without mentioning the importance of finalizing your budget. Eloping can include expenditures such as:

• Your marriage license fee
• Parking (The closest non-permit parking option is the Hotel Albany Garage if you can’t find paid street parking. The nearest paid public garage is the Riverfront Garage nearly half a mile away.)
• Wedding attire
• Your photographer
• Dinner plans
• A honeymoon or mini-moon
• Pet care arrangements

Your big day will feel like a dream come true if you’re not stressed about finances during your elopement. Talk with your fiance to set a spending cap that’s best for both of you.

8. Determine Your Celebration Preferences

Eloping can be something for just you, your fiance, and your witness. Many couples also want to celebrate with a small group of loved ones afterward. There are numerous local restaurants close to the city hall. They serve everything from craft beer and burgers to authentic international cuisine, so there are plenty of options. 

You might not end up paying for your celebratory meal if you invite your family and friends. Parents or friends may sometimes cover the bill, especially if the guest list is tight-knit. Otherwise, couples pay for their elopement dinners because it’s technically a reception. 

People will also want to know if you’re accepting presents. Guests bring gifts to traditional weddings, but elopement arrangements depend on the couple. Make your gift preferences clear if you invite anyone to lunch or dinner after your ceremony.

Plan a Perfect Albany City Hall Elopement

I’d love to talk about photography when you’re ready to plan your Albany City Hall elopement. I’ll go over all that goes into getting those pictures that make your heart skip a beat and remember the day perfectly. Reach out any time — let’s capture the magic of your marriage ceremony together.