What is the significance of a marriage license in New York?

The significance of a marriage license in New York primarily lies in its role as a legal authorization that permits a couple to marry. Without obtaining and registering a valid marriage license, a couple cannot enter into a legally recognized marriage in the state. This process ensures that both parties meet the legal requirements for marriage, such as age, consent, and lack of disqualifying factors (like being closely related or already married).

While some aspects of the marriage license might touch upon identity—such as requiring personal identification documents for application—a marriage license is not primarily a form of identification. It doesn't serve to protect against bigamy in a direct sense; rather, it establishes a legal framework to ensure that the marriage is valid and binding. Additionally, a marriage license does not concern itself with verifying the financial status of the couple, as marriage licenses are not contingent upon the couple's financial standing. Instead, their main purpose is to facilitate the legal union of two individuals.