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I just googled "new york state online minister marriage" and the first several links all answer your questions ![]()
But to make your life easier, the answer is no. NYS is pretty strict about such things. No online ordinations, and no one day deputizations. Information from here: http://www.health.state.ny.us/vital_records/married.htm
Who can perform a marriage ceremony?
To be valid, a marriage ceremony must be performed by any of the individuals specified in Section 11 of the New York State Domestic Relations Law. These include:
The person performing the ceremony must be registered with the City of New York in order to perform a ceremony within the New York City limits. The officiant does not have to be a resident of New York State. Ship captains are not authorized to perform marriage ceremonies in New York State.
I have to disagree- not only because I've attended weddings in New York State officiated by those that have been ordained online, but I'm doing the same thing for my wedding! It is slightly more difficult to be recognized in New York City, but not impossible. And the rest of the state is fine with it.
The best way to find out for sure though is to contact the city or town clerk in the town where your ceremony will be performed. They will be able to tell you for sure (I swear, it's legal though!).
Its not legal in every city or town - they all have funny rules - so kellbell is right - check with the actual place you are getting married in!
Peihan17 - I believe being ordained online falls under your 6th point. These types of churches allow all members to be ordained. Our friend has been ordained as a Spirtiual Humanist and I assure you it is legal. Please see the ruling from the 1974 case of the Universal Life Church vs. The United States. Particularly this passage - <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt">"Neither this Court, nor any branch of this Government, will consider the merits or fallacies of a religion. Nor will the Court compare the beliefs, dogmas, and practices of a newly organized religion with those of an older, more established religion. Nor will the Court praise or condemn a religion, however excellent or fanatical or preposterous it may seem. WERE THE COURT TO DO SO, IT WOULD IMPINGE UPON THE GUARANTEES OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT."
Yep, we did a Universal Life minister too - and they ARE officially ordained and authorized to perform weddings, so in most parts of NYS you should be good! In NYC I think you have to get an additional form for them to complete (?) so you should check with your county regardless, but a ULC-ordained minister is still a minister!
... FI and I wanted to have a friend do our ceremony - but looking into the facts further, although it appears that an online ordination will work... if the marriage was to fail, and you or your husband wanted to challenge the validity of the marriage, it could be seriously challenged. I know in Pennsylvania they overturned marriages as invalid due to online ordinations...
I would just play it safe and find an actual J.O.P. or minister to marry you....
Sounds like some BS Lawyer got involved in that case. Not really sure how you could challenge the validity when you have a marriage certificate signed by witnessing parties and have been living as if married...In the grand scheme of things, I feel that it will be a more personal and special ceremony having our dear friend officiating than if we were to have a total stranger. I'm willing to take the risk...
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Hello Hive-
I've been trying to do my homework, but I can''t seem to get a straight answer... has anyone, or does anyone know, if it's legal to be married by someone ordained online in New York State? Or if NY offers any one-day permissions to officiate weddings? Any advice is greatly appreciated!