Documents And Information Required
Getting your marriage license is a little more complex than signing up for a Netflix account. In New York, you and your partner will need several documents and materials to successfully apply for a marriage license. Currently, these are the state-required documents for both applicants:
- Documentation of previous marriages
- Surname declaration
What You’ll Need To Officiate In Brooklyn
After learning what you’ll need to officiate, you can visit our online catalog to order any documents or supplies for the ceremony. For Brooklyn we typically advise ministers get an Ordination Package, but your conversation with local officials will give you a more specific idea of what to include in your order.
Officiant Registration Outside Nyc
To the best of our knowledge, the only locations outside New York City that requires wedding officiant are certain towns on Long Island.
Our advice is to call the city or town clerks office where the couple intends to get married. That office will inform you as to whether you need to complete an application or submit your ministry credentials.
To simplify this process we recommend that you order your ministry credentials from your ordaining church just in case. Even if officiant registration is not required, it doesnt hurt to have your official ministry credentials for your own records.
The information provided here was mainly sourced from this page.
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Kate Goldbaum Wedding Officiant
she/her/hers
Love stories – how you met, the qualities that first drew you to each other, and the experiences that strengthened your bond – have always captivated me. The unique set of events that brings a couple together and the life they then choose to build is always one of a kind, and your wedding should reflect that! My speciality is working closely with you to create a personalized ceremony that you and your guests will always remember. I can help you navigate all the details of wedding planning and make sure that your ceremony feels truly your own. I have a passion for words and celebrating life’s blessings and I look forward to hearing your story.
How To Officiate Your First Wedding
You can help a friend or loved one turn their special day into something remarkable, if youre willing but getting ordained is the easy part.
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You dont need to go to seminary to officiate a wedding. In fact, depending on where you live, it may take only a few clicks of a mouse. Heres everything you need to know about officiating your first wedding, from getting ordained to writing the ceremony and why youd even want to in the first place.
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Online Ordinations Are They Legal On Long Island
The short answer is no. Not without a single use permit as described in NY State Legislation A06300.
If it were already legal, there wouldnt still be legislation before our state legislature in Albany trying to make it legal, or at least expand on who can legally perform marriage ceremonies in New York State.
Here is a link to State Senate Bill S430.
This is the most recent proposal to expand who was the right to officiate weddings to include online-ordained officiants.
The 4 previous bills that have failed to pass are also listed in the above link on New York States website. If a new bill passes that does permit online officiants to legally sign a marriage license, this is where you will find that information as well.
For more documentation of the couples disenfranchised and wills contested, scroll down to the article from the Nassau County Bar Associations Law Journal or follow along for a recap.
There is no such thing as license or registration issued by the State of New York for officiants. A claim of being licensed or of holding a statewide registration is often a red flag that an officiant may be ordained online. Some officiants will display their NYC Registrations, which clearly say right on it that they are ONLY valid for ceremonies performed within the City of New York.
As an example I had Sebastian Basset ordained in 2015. As an example I had Sebastian Basset ordained in 2015.
Not only is he a real Basset Hound, but he also passed away in 2008.
License To Marry In New York
After you’ve contacted your marriage authority, you should visit our online store to purchase whatever documentation will be required. We typically advise ministers in New York to get an Ordination Package. Please attempt to leave at least 3 weeks between the date of the wedding ceremony and your order, to ensure that you receive all of your materials in advance.
Please note that ministers who plan to perform a wedding in New York City are required to register with the city. If you plan to perform a wedding in New York City, you need to purchase a New York City Wedding Officiant Package. If you are mailing your application, the authorities in New York require a minimum of 30 days to process your minister registration, so purchase and submit this paperwork as soon as possible. Walk in submissions are processed same day.
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Reconsidering The Rev Best Friend
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IN the days leading up to their August wedding at the Rams Head Inn on Shelter Island, Kinara Flagg and Paul Fileri chose Andrew Case, a friend and former law school classmate of Ms. Flaggs, to officiate.
In the eyes of the couple, Mr. Case, who had become a Universal Life minister through a quick online ordination, was the right man for the job. In the eyes of the law, however, Mr. Case, who was not a part of an active ministry, was officiating in the wrong county.
An increasing number of couples are steering away from traditional religious and civil wedding officiants in favor of friends and relatives who become ordained through online ministries. But many couples are unaware that while New York State recognizes marriages performed by those who became ministers by the power vested in a mouse, there are five downstate counties where such officiants are not technically legal.
Ms. Flagg and Mr. Fileri, who knew that Suffolk County on Long Island, which includes Shelter Island, was among the handful of no-online-minister zones in the state, obtained their marriage license in Monroe County , making their wedding a legal union after all.
Its surprising that Suffolk County does not recognize these online ministers, Ms. Flagg said.
How To Get Married In New York
New York’s Top Wedding Spot
HayLoft at Blue Hill at Stone Barn, a working farm and critically acclaimed restaurant in the Hudson Valley
Now that you’ve done all of the above, you are ready to perform the wedding! Be sure that the couple has picked up their New York marriage license from the appropriate office. Note that a marriage license in New York must be signed and returned to the issuing office within 60 days after the completion of the wedding ceremony.
At the Universal Life Church we receive several calls from wedding officiants in New York, after they’ve received their license to marry by getting ordained online, asking for guidance on how to perform a wedding ceremony. Once the legal matters have been taken care of, officiating a wedding can be a great deal of fun. We would suggest that new New York wedding ministers concerned about the ceremony peruse one of our helpful wedding guides. The minister training section of our website should offer a helpful refresher for more experienced ministers.
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How Do You Perform A Wedding In New York
New York has some unique rules when it comes to wedding officiants. When determining what ministerial documents will be required to perform a wedding in this state the most important distinction is where the wedding ceremony will geographically take place
If the wedding is taking place within the 5 boroughs of New York City , you must purchase and submit the New York City Wedding Set. It will not be possible for you to purchase all the required documents of this package piecemeal, so if you’ve ordered a different package or your ordination certificate separately, you will need to contact the ULC to set up an exchange or make an additional purchase. This package contains everything you will need, as well as instructions on how to use it.
For weddings taking place in any city or township outside of New York City, ministerial registration is generally not required before you can perform the ceremony. However, we strongly recommend obtaining credentials in case local officials contact you after the wedding wanting to see proof of your good standing with the church. You can order our most popular package here: Classic Wedding Set.
Select a county to see contact information for each office:
24 Eagle Street, Room 202 Albany, NY 12207
Town Hall, 52 West Main Allegany, NY 14706
851 Grand Concourse, Room B131 Bronx, NY 10451
210 Joralemon Street, Room 205 Brooklyn, NY 11201
65 Niagara Square, Suite 1301 Buffalo, NY 14202
1215 Centre Road Clinton, NY 12572
Celine Eid Wedding Officiant
she/her/hers
Im passionate about love and equality and became an officiant to celebrate love between all humans, and to get the honor of uniting them in marriage. My ceremony style is joyful and upbeat, combining humor and touching moments that amplify your love. When Im not officiating weddings, Im in Brooklyn creating vegan recipes, biking with friends, and infusing 6th graders with a love for science and learning, as their science teacher!
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Can My Friend Or Relative Get Ordained To Perform A Ceremony Of Any Religion
Though some online organizations are for specific religions, many are either nondenominational or interfaith. The American Fellowship Church, which has been ordaining people since 1975, ordains people of any religion, and those who go through the process are also able to perform nondenominational services.
New York State Marriage Licenses And Certificates
In New York, theres only one way to legally wedwith a marriage license.
You might wonder, how else can you legally get married? Well, certain other states recognize common law marriages or marriages-by-proxy . However, neither is legal in New York. To make your New York wedding official, youll need to get your hands on a state marriage license.
Unsure where to start? Lets break down the New York state marriage license steps and requirements.
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How To Officiate A Wedding
Now that your friend is actually ordained to officiate your wedding, what do they actually have to do? You’ll want to take a look at your local laws again to brush up on the requirements. In most cases, your officiant simply needs to include the declaration of intent, or the “Do you take…” and “I do” vows portion of the ceremony.
Non Us Citizens Getting Married In New York
If you live in another country, but are coming to New York to get married, you may need additional documents for your country to recognize your marriage. Request this information from your countries local authority to determine if the standard Certificate of Marriage is fine or if you are required to add the three steps below.
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How To Officiate A Wedding In New York City
Your next move will be to contact the government office that handles marriages and marriage licenses in New York City. Let them know youre an ordained minister planning to perform a wedding in their district and want to understand what documents or information they will need from you before the ceremony.
Information for how to get in touch with this office in New York City can be found below.
- Office Address:
- 141 Worth St, New York, NY 10007 Manhattan, NY 10007
- New York City Office Website
What To Include In A Wedding Officiant Contract According To The Pros
Written by Jessica Levey
Learn how to write a wedding officiant contract & terms of service document for your business, with this advice from professional officiants. We cover the basic details every contract should include, such as your fees / rates, payment schedule and deposit, who the agreement is between, who obtains and returns the marriage license, a summary of your services, cancellation and change policy, and more.
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Tips And Tricks For A New York Wedding
For New York weddings, weve highlighted a few pointers to de-stress the process from our expert wedding advice library. Start with these tips and tricks:
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Book Your Venue: Marriage licenses all come down to timing. To schedule your marriage license application, you first need to book a ceremony date within the state. Start with Zolas wedding venue database to find the perfect New York venue. From date to price filters, our search makes it easy to book the venue that fits your needs.
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Time Your License Registration: There should be two big dates on the calendarone for your wedding ceremony and one prior to your marriage license application. Whether virtual or in-person, pick a marriage license appointment that places your ceremony within the licenses time window.
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Prepare Documents With Your Partner: A marriage is a trusting partnership filled with shared responsibility. Keep the process honest and clear by preparing all marriage license documents together. That way, youll have no surprises on the application day.
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Permits: In New York, your dream outdoor locale might require a wedding permit, especially if on public property. Always check with the venue ahead of time, so you can apply for and receive a permit if needed.
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Peak Season: From New Yorks gorgeous riversides to its big city penthouses, the state makes for a popular wedding destination. If you want to avoid long appointment waits or booked-out venues, consider a wedding date outside of peak season .
Are There Resident Requirements To Obtain A One
No. Any adult who is 18 years old or older can apply for the license and they do not need to be a resident of New York state.
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The idea for issuing one-day officiant licenses in New York came from an experience that Assemblywoman Sandy Galef had at a wedding out of state where the groom’s sister officiated the ceremony. The bill was co-sponsored by New York State Senator Alessandra Biaggi.
When the bill was brought before Governor Hochul, she agreed that a couple should be allowed to decide who binds them in marriage.
By signing this legislation into law, we are eliminating any barriers to becoming an officiant so friends and family members can share such a meaningful time with loved ones of their choosing and have their marriage recognized under New York State law
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What Does It Mean To Be Ordained
Ordination is a process of consecration that has been practiced by many different religious organizations throughout history. Each faith and denomination has its own method for ordaining its members as part of the clergy processes that can vary quite significantly from one belief system to another. In the simplest sense, getting ordained indicates that powers have been vested in you by a higher authority to become a minister and carry out duties such as performing ceremonies.
The path to ordination was historically a difficult one, requiring many years of study and the approval of church leadership not to mention the financial backing to attend formal schooling for becoming a minister.
The ULC believes these old routes are unnecessarily restrictive, which is why weve opened the doors of ordination to all those who seek it through a unique online model. We offer this option in New York state because we know how important it is for New Yorkers to be able to make their own decisions about becoming ordained, free from the barriers typically imposed by conventional religious bodies.
Ordination through the Universal Life Church Ministries confers all the same rights and privileges enjoyed by members of the clergy ordained through more traditional avenues. ULC ministers are empowered to conduct the same types of duties performed by other clergy members from other organizations and denominations.
Getting Married In New York
- Minister Required to be Present:
- Yes
- Pronouncement Required:
- Yes
Both members of the couple, the officiating minister, and at least one witness must be present at the wedding ceremony. All four individuals will be asked to sign and complete the marriage license, as well as note the date and time of the ceremony.
The state of New York is very flexible regarding the style, content, length, and spirit of the ceremony. Couples can customize the service as they see fit as long as each individual verbally accepts the other as his or her spouse.
N.Y. Dom. Law § 11
N.Y. Dom. Law § 12
No particular form or ceremony is required when a marriage is solemnized as herein provided by a clergyman or magistrate, but the parties must solemnly declare in the presence of a clergyman or magistrate and the attending witness or witnesses that they take each other as husband and wife. In every case, at least one witness beside the clergyman or magistrate must be present at the ceremony.
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