NY is one step closer to approving one-day wedding officiants

Published Monday, Apr. 4th, 2022

One-day marriage officiant designation is one step closer in New York as Senate Bill 729A heads back to the Assembly for review. (NY Senate Bill S739A, previous S3652) (SB 739/ AB 6300)

Update:

This bill passed: NY will allow one-day officiant status beginning March, 2023.

It's official! New York will allow one-day officiant status. Gov. Hochul signed the bill into law in December, 2022. Here's everything you need to know about NY's one-day officiant designation:

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

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New York State is one step closer to approving a one-day marriage officiant designation for individuals who want to perform a wedding ceremony without becoming ordained.

Senate Bill 739A, which outlines the provisions for the special one-day designation, has made its way back to the NY Assembly for review by lawmakers after undergoing another round of amendments to pass in the Senate.

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

If SB739 becomes law, lay individuals over the age of 18 will be able to apply to the secretary of state to solemnize a single marriage for one day only, for a small fee. Applications will require detailed information about the applicant, the parties to be married, and the exact date and location of the ceremony, and will need to be submitted at least 30 days before the ceremony is scheduled.

Currently, only clergy and specific government officials can perform marriage in New York. This new designation would create a new pathway to officiating for people who don’t want to become ordained, and would give engaged couples more options for choosing the perfect person to perform their ceremony.

This new legislation does not affect the rights of ordained ministers, so if you got ordained online, you may still officiate legally binding wedding ceremonies. This bill simply adds another category to the list of people who may officiate weddings in the state.

Become an ordained minister online for free with American Marriage Ministries.

Legislation to allow one-day marriage officiant designation has been introduced in the state several times before during prior sessions, including SB 3652 in 2019 - 2020. Similar legislation passed in Rhode Island last year, and several other states also offer similar one-day certification.

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.

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Jessica Levey

Lead Staff Writer & Illustrator

Jessica loves exploring the history and magic of ritual, the connections between people and places, and sharing true stories about love and commitment. She's an advocate for marriage equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and individuality, and is an ordained Minister with AMM. When she’s not writing or illustrating for AMM, she enjoys city hikes, fantasy novels, comics, and traveling.

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