New York considers one-day marriage officiant designation

 

 

 

Lawmakers in New York are once again considering legislation that would designate lay individuals as one-day marriage officiants, capable of performing marriages in the state. 

 

The current bill, Senate Bill S739A, advanced to a third reading on March 3rd. After this reading, the bill is eligible for a floor vote in the Senate, after which time it would move to the Assembly for further consideration.

 

Update: What to Know About New York's New One-Day Marriage Officiant License

 

If passed and signed into law, the bill would create a new path for individuals over the age of 18 who want to perform weddings for their friends and family members without becoming ordained ministers. Individuals would be able to apply for ‘one-day designation’ through the Secretary of State, authorizing them to solemnize a single marriage on a specified day for a set fee. The law would require them to apply at least 30 days before the scheduled ceremony. 

 

S739A would amend the list of individuals who can solemnize marriage by creating several new subdivisions to the current law, including these: 

§ 11: By whom a marriage must be solemnized

 

3-b.  A  one-day marriage officiant, as designated by the secretary of state pursuant to section one hundred ten of the executive law; or,

 

§ 110. Designation of one-day marriage officiant.

 

The secretary, or his or her designee, shall issue one-day marriage officiant designations to laypersons over the age of eighteen regardless of state residence who intend to perform a marriage solemnization ceremony within the state. Such designations shall only be issued after an applicant  remits a completed application form and fee, both to be determined by the secretary. The application form shall require the following information and be accompanied by legal proof of identification. From the applicant requesting designation: applicant name, date of birth, legal  address, email address and telephone number.The application form shall also require the names, addresses and birth dates of the parties to be married as they appear on the application for a marriage license issued by a town or city clerk in the state, the name of the city, town or village in which such solemnization will be performed and the exact date of the solemnization.The application and fee must be received by the department at least thirty days before the date of the ceremony. The department shall notify the applicant of approval of such designation no later than seven days prior to the date of the marriage ceremony stated on the application.Such designations shall only be valid for the ceremony stated on the application and shall expire upon completion of such solemnization.

A previous version of this bill, S3652, was originally introduced in the 2019 legislative session. 

 

Similar legislation was recently passed in Rhode Island: Rhode Island approves new one-day marriage designation. 

 

In the meantime, 

 

It’s easy to become an ordained minister with American Marriage Ministries online for free.

 

AMM Ministers are recognized in the state of New York and are authorized to perform marriage there. Your ordination with AMM will never expire and doesn’t need to be renewed.

 

 

Get ordained in New York!

 

How to Become a Wedding Officiant in New York

 

 

Friends and family members can already perform wedding ceremonies in New York if they’ve been ordained. Get ordained online with AMM to get started. 

 

 

 

---

 

 

AMM takes an active interest in the evolving laws, conversations, philosophies, and attitudes surrounding marriage. Stay up to date on marriage law, wedding industry news, and other timely events impacting wedding officiants and engaged couples by visiting :  

 

AMM News Page  

 

 

---

You might also like: 

 

• 5 Must Read Blogs for Wedding Officiants
   
• Choosing a Wedding Officiant: What (or Who) Are Your Options?
   

---