American music royalty Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z have reportedly applied for a marriage licence in New York.

The chart-topping singer, 26, and her hip-hop artist boyfriend, 38, took out the 60-day licence on Tuesday morning, according to People magazine.

Beyonce’s spokesperson refused to comment, but US publications have been quick to take that as a sign the pair are to wed, pointing out that the couple’s reps were quick to scotch similar rumours in December.

The couple began dating in 2002 but have rarely spoken publicly of their relationship.

They have collaborated to huge success on the 2002 track 03 Bonnie & Clyde and 2005 single Crazy in Love, with the latter topping both the US and UK charts.

Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, is one of the most influential men in hip-hop. He co-founded the Roc-A-Fella label in 1995 and went on to become the president of Def Jam Records, signing Rihanna, among other high-selling artists, to the label.

Beyonce rose to fame with the girl group Destiny’s Child, who sold more than 40 million albums world-wide. In 2003, she released her first solo album, Dangerously in Love, which went to No 1 on charts around the world.

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