N.Y. Ends Online Wedding Ceremonies, State of Emergency Declared Over

Effective immediately, online wedding ceremonies are no longer allowed in New York state. Marriage licenses will continue to be available online through the City Clerk’s Project Cupid portal by appointment. 

On June 25, Gov. Cuomo announced unexpectedly that New York’s state of emergency was over and rescinded several Executive Orders, including the Order (No. 202.20) that had allowed weddings to be performed over video-conference. The change comes just 10 days after all COVID restrictions were lifted in the state, including the mask mandate and all capacity limits on businesses and events. 

Following Cuomo’s announcement, the NYC Clerk’s office tweeted that “the City Clerk’s Office will not process virtual ceremonies that were performed by private officiants after June 25, 2021. Marriage ceremonies performed by private officiants after June 25, 2021 must be performed in person.” According to the City Clerk’s website, the Clerk’s Office is also no longer offering their virtual ceremony lotteries. 

This means all marriages performed after June 25 in New York must be performed in person. 

As a result, the City Clerk’s Office will not process marriage licenses for virtual ceremonies that were performed by private officiants after June 25, 2021. Marriage ceremonies performed by private officiants after June 25, 2021, must be conducted in person.

— NYC City Clerk (@NYCClerk) June 25, 2021

In addition to allowing virtual weddings, Executive Order 202.20 had also suspended the expiration date of marriage licenses, allowing them to be used beyond 60 days of issuance, and waived any fees associated with obtaining a second licence if one was needed. These requirements are now back in place.

As of June 25, licences must be signed and returned within 60 days of being issued and a fee of around 25 dollars will be charged for a duplicate license. 

To obtain a marriage license online, couples can visit the Project Cupid portal. 

Learn more by visiting the Office of the City Clerk website.

…

• New York Marriage Laws

• Get Ordained in New York (Who Can Officiate Weddings in New York?)

You Might Also Like: 

• These states are where you can - and can't - get married online

• Summer Survival: 10 Items to Add to Your Officiant Wedding Emergency Kit This Season
   
• What to Wear (and Not Wear) as a Wedding Officiant
   
• Can Couples Ask Their Wedding Officiants And Other Vendors If They’ve Been Vaccinated Against COVID?