The marriage of singer Beyonce and hip-hop star Jay-Z is finally official, with a New York town clerk confirming the couple have filed a wedding license.

Beyonce and Jay held a lavish private celebration in Manhattan earlier this month, but had refused to confirm they were celebrating their nuptials. Houston-born Beyonce, 26, and Brooklyn native and former street hustler Jay-Z, 38, whose real name is Shawn Carter, have been romantically linked since September 2002, but have kept mum about their romance.

Their Manhattan party, which took place at Jay-Z’s apartment on April 4, did little to scotch speculation about their relationship. The celebration was attended by actress Gwyneth Paltrow and Destiny’s Child stars Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. White flowers and silver candelabras were delivered to the building in New York’s Tribeca district, while a white tent was set up on the roof.

Her marriage to Jay-Z comes as the hip-hop artist and record executive enters talks with concert promoter, Live Nation, over a reputed deal worth $150 million. He ran the rap label Def Jam Records as president for several years, and co-owns the New Jersey Nets professional basketball team.