Increases the marriage ceremony fee to fifty-five dollars and the marriage license fee to sixty dollars in the city of New York.
Summary
S10191 amends New York’s Domestic Relations Law to increase two fees charged by the City of New York in connection with marriage services. First, it raises the maximum fee the city clerk may charge for performing a marriage ceremony from $25 to $55. Second, it increases the fee for issuing a marriage license in New York City from $25 to $60. The bill also makes a technical gender-neutral wording change by replacing references to “his” with “their” in the relevant provisions.
The measure applies only to New York City and would affect couples obtaining marriage licenses or civil marriage ceremonies through the city clerk’s office. The bill directs that ceremony fees continue to be collected by the city clerk and paid to the city’s commissioner of finance, while license fees continue to be paid into the city treasury. It takes effect immediately upon enactment and would amend sections 11-a and 15 of the Domestic Relations Law.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would change state law governing marriage-related fees in New York City by authorizing higher maximum charges for both marriage ceremonies and marriage licenses. It would not alter the statewide marriage process generally, but it would increase the amount paid by applicants and couples using city clerk services in New York City, while preserving the existing framework for fee collection and remittance to city finance officials.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears administrative and revenue-focused rather than controversial in substance. There are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided materials, so there is no documented public debate or formal opposition. The bill’s neutral, technical drafting and immediate-effect clause suggest it is intended as a straightforward fee update.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided record. Potential areas of concern, if raised, would likely involve the higher costs imposed on marriage applicants in New York City and whether the fee increases are justified by administrative costs or revenue needs. The only substantive non-fee change visible in the text is the gender-neutral language update, which is unlikely to be contentious.