Wedding Planner Permit Requirements in New York City, NY

Complete permit and license guide for starting a wedding planner in New York City, New York County, New York.

Verified 2026-08-27 6 stops $100–$600 est. 1–3 weeks to obtain all required licenses
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees, operate as an LLC/corporation, or file certain business tax returns. Free from the IRS. Sole proprietors with no employees may use their SSN instead.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

State of New York

3 stops

  1. New York Certificate of Authority (Sales Tax)

    Required for businesses selling taxable goods or services in New York. Register with the NY State Department of Taxation and Finance. Must register at least 20 days before making taxable sales.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

  2. New York Certificate of Authority (if selling goods)

    Wedding planners who sell taxable goods in New York must obtain a Certificate of Authority from the NY Department of Taxation and Finance.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

  3. General Liability Insurance (Recommended)

    Wedding planners in New York are not legally required to carry liability insurance, but most venues require proof of $1M–$2M general liability coverage before allowing a planner to work on-site. Many clients also require it in your contract.

    $400–$1,200/yearSame day (online quotes)

City of New York City / New York County

2 stops

  1. No NYC general business license required

    New York City does not have a general business license, and wedding planning is not among the industries licensed by the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. No city business license is required to operate a wedding planning business in NYC. Event-specific permits (SAPO street activity, NYC Parks special events) apply only per event.

    Official government source

    $0 — no NYC general business license exists1–3 weeks

  2. Business Certificate (DBA) — County Clerk Filing

    If operating under a trade name (e.g., 'Perfect Day Events'), sole proprietors and partnerships must file a Business Certificate (DBA) with the County Clerk of the borough where the business is located before accepting payments under that name. In Manhattan, file with the New York County Clerk. LLCs and corporations file assumed names with the NY Department of State instead.

    Official government source

    $100 filing fee + $10 per certified copy (New York County)1–2 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $100–$600 · 1–3 weeks to obtain all required licenses

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