Legislation being considered in The New York State Assembly would allow couples to apply for a marriage licence and get married online 

 

 

Lawmakers in New York are considering legislation that would allow couples to get married in online wedding ceremonies, and expand access to virtual marriage license appointments throughout the state. 

 

If the proposed legislation becomes law, couples would be able to marry in virtual wedding ceremonies; the couple, their wedding officiant, witnesses, and guests, could all participate in the ceremony from different physical locations. 

 

Couples would also be able to meet with a town or city clerk virtually to apply for their marriage license, using audio-visual technology like Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet. 

 

These changes to the current law would make it easier, safer, and more affordable for couples to get married in New York – and give couples one more fun alternative to a traditional wedding or elopement.

 

Currently, online wedding ceremonies are not allowed in New York. (See which states allow online marriage ceremonies.) And although couples can schedule a virtual marriage license appointment with the NYC City Clerk’s Project Cupid portal, this type of remote service is not yet offered everywhere in the state. 

 

Online weddings were previously allowed in New York on a temporary basis during the early days of the pandemic, following an executive order issued by former-Governor Cuomo in 2020 (EO No. 202.20). 

 

Virtual ceremonies became incredibly popular as a unique and affordable alternative to traditional weddings, and gave couples and their families a safe way to gather during various office and venue closures. However, the executive order – and access to virtual marriage ceremonies – ended in the spring of 2021 after being extended several times.

 

Legislation was introduced later that year (2021-2022 A8192) to create lasting provisions for virtual marriage ceremonies and services, but failed to pass.

 

This current effort to bring online weddings back to New York and expand access to virtual appointments is sponsored by Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal (D). The bill was introduced on January 3rd, 2023, and has been referred to committee for review. 

In the meantime, couples can visit NYC’s Project Cupid and the Office of the City Clerk : Marriage Bureau to find the most up to date information about getting married in New York. 

 

• Read the full bill text here: 2024 New York Assembly Bill 2181

 

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Why get married in a remote wedding ceremony? 

 

There are many practical and creative benefits to choosing a virtual wedding. 

 

On the practical side of things, online ceremonies can help counteract disruptions caused by Covid, flu, and other illnesses, and give vulnerable family members a way to stay safer when attending weddings and elopements during seasonal surges.

 

Online weddings and ‘hybrid weddings,’ in which some guests attend in-person while others attend remotely, also eliminate high travel costs for out-of-town guests, and difficulties booking lodging or venues.

 

These ceremonies offer an easy and affordable way for couples and their families to gather to celebrate marriage. This is especially beneficial for long-distance and international family members, or families on a tight budget.

 

For information on how to plan or officiate a creative and heartwarming online wedding ceremony:  

 

 

• How to Officiate a Virtual Wedding Like a Pro!

 

• Plan a Virtual Wedding Ceremony with Special Readings
   
• 5 Creative Unity Ceremony Ideas for Virtual Weddings
   
• The more the merrier! Why hybrid weddings are a good idea
   
• New ceremony script alert! A Virtual Wedding with Special Readings
   
• 3 Terms Every Officiant Should Know in the Virtual Wedding Era
   

 

Browse all Virtual Wedding Info & Inspiration

 

 

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You might also like: 

 

• How to Get Married in an Online Wedding Ceremony in Utah
   
• What to Know About New York's New One-Day Marriage Officiant License
   

 

• New York’s One-Day Officiant License vs Online Ordination: Which is the best choice for Wedding Officiants?

Browse all New York Wedding Articles

 

 

Wedding officiant for a day: Everything you need to know about the new one-day marriage officiant permit in New York. Read the full article here.

 

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