Beyonce KnowlesBeyonce Knowles and Jay-Z have sparked rumours they’re finally planning to marry after applying for a marriage license in New York yesterday.

Onlookers at Scarsdale Village Hall report the couple looked “happy” as they completed the necessary paperwork: “It was just the two of them. They were very polite and smiling as they filled out the paperwork. They were holding hands for a while. They looked really happy.”

The pair, who have been dating for nearly six years, have frequently been rumoured to be planning their nuptials but have dismissed various stories of plans to marry in the Caribbean or Europe.

However, the couple now have 60 days to get married before the license expires. They can marry anywhere within New York state from today.

Spokespeople for the stars refused to comment on the pair’s plans but a source told Us Weekly that the couple are likely to tie the knot after Jay’s tour ends last month: “Jay is trying to pull it together quickly and on the fly to keep it private. They really wanted it to be private.”