Minister-Led Weddings: Legality In New York State

If you're planning your wedding in New York State, you'll want to make sure that your chosen minister is legally qualified to perform the ceremony. New York State is a popular wedding destination, offering stunning natural landscapes and the nation's largest city as a backdrop for your big day. The state has several requirements that must be met for a marriage to be legally recognised, and these requirements also apply to the officiant. So, what does a licensed minister need to do to perform a wedding in New York State?

Registration requirements for ministers in NYC

Step 1: Get Ordained

The first step to becoming a minister in NYC is to get ordained online through a reputable online ministry. You can find a suitable website by doing a quick Google search. Most of them are free, but some charge a fee.

Step 2: Understand the Requirements

Once you are ordained, you need to check the specific requirements of the town or city clerk's office where the couple intends to get married. If the wedding will take place in NYC, you will need to register with the City Clerk's Marriage Bureau.

Step 3: Complete the Registration

To complete your registration, you will need to submit the following documents:

• Your Official Ordination Certificate
• Your "Letter of Consent" or "NYC Letter of Consent" - Addressed to the City Clerk
• NYC Marriage Officiant Registration Form or AMM's Articles of Incorporation and Certificate of Incorporation
• Your Completed Marriage Officiant Registration Application
• Valid Government ID (Driver's License, Military ID, Passport, or Birth Certificate)
• $15 Application Processing Fee

You can submit your application by mail or in person at the Office of the City Clerk - NYC Marriage Bureau, located at 141 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013.

Step 4: Contact the Clerk

After submitting your application, you can contact the Clerk's Office at (212) 669-8090 for further questions. The processing time for your application is typically between 2 and 6 weeks.

Step 5: Prepare for the Wedding Ceremony

Once your application is approved, you can start preparing for the wedding ceremony. This includes tasks such as planning the format and content of the ceremony, writing the wedding script, and more.

Additional Information:

It is important to note that the registration requirement is specific to marriages performed within the five boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island). If the marriage is performed outside of these five boroughs, registration is not required.

Additionally, New York State has certain requirements for the wedding ceremony itself. For example, both members of the couple, the officiating minister, and at least one witness must be present at the wedding ceremony. All four individuals will need to sign and complete the marriage license, noting the date and time of the ceremony.

Registration requirements for ministers outside NYC

To register as a wedding officiant in New York State, outside of New York City, there are a few steps you need to follow. Firstly, you need to get ordained online through a reputable online ministry. You can choose any organisation that reflects your values, but American Marriage Ministries is recommended as their ordination is free, they are set up to help people officiate weddings, and they are the only IRS-certified 501(c)(3) charitable organisation that offers online ordinations.

Once ordained, you will need to check with the city or town clerk in the area where the wedding will take place. This is because each city and town determines its own officiant registration requirements. Most cities and towns in New York State do not require officiant registration before performing a marriage, but it is always best to check.

If the wedding is taking place outside of New York City, you will need to contact the office responsible for issuing the marriage license to the couple. This office will inform you if they require ministers to register with them before performing the marriage.

However, if the wedding is taking place in New York City, you will need to register with the New York City Clerk Marriage Bureau. This has jurisdiction over the following boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. To register, you will need to submit the following documents:

• Your Ordination Certificate
• Your "NYC Letter of Consent" (addressed to the City Clerk)
• AMM's Articles of Incorporation and Certificate of Incorporation
• Your completed Marriage Officiant Registration Application
• Valid government ID (driver's license, military ID, passport, or birth certificate)
• A $15 application processing fee

The legal age to marry in New York

In the United States, the minimum age at which a person can marry is determined by each state and territory, with the general marriage age being 18 years in most states. In New York, the legal age to marry is 18 years, with the exception of 17-year-olds who have secured approval from their parents or legal guardians, as well as a judge or justice of the court. This exception was established to prevent forced marriages and protect vulnerable children.

Prior to 2017, the age of consent to marry in New York was 14 years, with 17-year-olds being allowed to marry with parental and judicial consent. However, activists argued that this allowed parents to force minors into marriage. As a result, the minimum age was raised to 18 years, eliminating the exception. New York is now one of 13 states that completely ban underage marriage.

To get married in New York, couples must obtain a marriage license from a town or city clerk and deliver it to the officiant within 60 days. The officiant can be a religious or civil actor, including government officials, judges, justices, clerks, town-appointed marriage officers, or ministers authorised by spiritual groups or ordained by churches. The officiant must be at least 18 years old and register with the appropriate town or city clerk before performing the wedding ceremony.

In summary, while the legal age to marry in New York is 18 years, 17-year-olds can marry with the approval of their parents or legal guardians and a judge. This exception is in place to protect minors and ensure that marriages are entered into willingly and with full consent.

The legal age for ministers to marry people in New York

In the state of New York, ordained ministers are among the individuals who have the authority to officiate weddings. Ordination refers to the process of being officially recognised and authorised to perform religious or spiritual duties, such as conducting wedding ceremonies. Ordained ministers are typically affiliated with a specific religious organisation or denomination, and their authority to officiate weddings is derived from this affiliation.

In New York, ministers must be at least 18 years old to legally perform a wedding. This is a requirement for all officiants, including government officials, judges, justices, clerks, town-appointed marriage officers, and ministers authorised by spiritual groups or ordained by churches.

To become an ordained minister, individuals usually need to go through a formal process, which can vary depending on the religious organisation or denomination. This process may involve completing specific educational requirements, undergoing training or mentorship programs, and obtaining endorsement from the religious organisation.

Once ordained, ministers must register with the appropriate town or city clerk to legally perform weddings in New York. This involves providing basic information such as their name and address, and some offices may also request proof of ordination.

It is important to note that ministers must also ensure that the couple meets the eligibility criteria for marriage, such as being of legal age and not being closely related. Additionally, ministers must complete and sign the necessary marriage license and certificate documents.

For weddings taking place in New York City, ministers must register with the City Clerk's Office, which can be done in person at their Manhattan office.

By going through the process of ordination and registering with the appropriate authorities, ministers in New York can solemnise marriages in accordance with the state's laws. Couples who wish to have an ordained minister officiate their wedding should ensure that the minister is properly ordained and registered to perform ceremonies in their desired location.

The legal requirements for the wedding ceremony

The state of New York is a popular wedding destination, offering stunning natural landscapes and the nation's largest city. The legal requirements for a wedding ceremony in New York are as follows:

Age requirements: The legal age to marry in the state of New York is 18 years. The only exception to this rule is for minors who are 17 years old and have secured the approval of their parents or legal guardians, as well as a judge or justice of the court.

Witnesses: The wedding ceremony must be attended by both members of the couple, at least two legally competent witnesses, and the minister, clergyman or magistrate. All individuals present are required to complete and sign a marriage contract, including the date and time of the ceremony.

Marriage license: Couples wishing to marry in New York must first obtain a marriage license from any town or city clerk in the state. The couple must complete a statement that includes their Social Security number, names of both parents and their places of birth, and birthplace. If either person in the couple has previously been married, they must disclose this information and provide evidence that the marriage has been legally dissolved. Both members of the couple will be required to prove they are of legal age to be married by providing an original or certified copy of a birth record or certificate, a passport, a baptismal record, a driver's license, an employment certificate, an immigration record, or a photo ID issued by their school or government.

Waiting period: There is a mandatory waiting period of at least 24 hours after the marriage license is issued before the couple can get married, unless they are granted a court-approved exception.

Returning the marriage license: The minister, clergyman or magistrate must complete, endorse and return the marriage license and certificate to the issuing clerk no later than five days after the date of the wedding.

Officiant registration: All wedding officiants must register with the appropriate town or city clerk. In New York City, officiants are required to register with the NYC Marriage Bureau. Some offices will request proof of ordination.

Restrictions: New York has restrictions on close relatives marrying. Specifically, a marriage cannot take place between ancestors, descendants, siblings (full or half), uncles with nieces or nephews, or aunts with nieces or nephews. New York also requires that both individuals consent to be married and have been deemed mentally able to do so.

Frequently asked questions