US rapper Jay-Z and his long term girlfriend Beyonce Knowles are now officially husband and wife after filing for a marriage licence.

According to a New York town clerk, the couple, who have been romatically linked since 2002, filed for the licence last Friday.

The couple had held a private ceremony in New York earlier this month but wouldn’t confirm reports that they had tied the knot.

The marriage comes as Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, is understood to be in talks to sign an all encompassing artist deal with concert promoter Live Nation.

The deal, reported to be worth $150million, would solidify the rapper as one of music’s highest earners.

Alongside numerous business deals, Carter also owns the New Jersey Jets basketball team.

(by Jason Gregory)