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Does NY recognize online ordination?

steph814 Posted:

Does NY recognize online ordination?

I know in MA you can get ordained online and marry people. Is the same true in NY? I've been trying to research the topic but can't really find anything directly on point. If you know, can you please let me know and if it is possible, where did you get this info?

Thank you so much!
miamimerger Posted:

Re: Does NY recognize online ordination?

I know a friend who got married in Upstate NY and her friend performed the ceremony. However, when I was looking into it for my own ceremony, it seemed really tricky to be done. I wish I had actually sites/info to show you!

Gerbera Posted:

Re: Does NY recognize online ordination?

I think yes.

http://openordination.org/state_faq.php#New_York
dctead Posted:

Re: Does NY recognize online ordination?

Yes...I am having my FSIL perform our ceremony, she was ordained online - so long as she files the marriage certificate at the town hall with in 5 business days of the wedding, it is recognized in NY.

steph814 Posted:

Re: Does NY recognize online ordination?

steph814 Posted:

Re: Does NY recognize online ordination?

dctead--Can you please tell me how you got this information that it is legally recognized in NY State?
Thank you!
steph814 Posted:

Re: Does NY recognize online ordination?

If you look up case law it looks negative (but only if your marriage is challenged).
http://www.ulccaselaw.com/legalPDF/Ranieri%20v%20Ranieri%201989.pdf
dctead Posted:

Re: Does NY recognize online ordination?



I was ordained by the Universal LIfe Church http://www.ulc.org/ and performed my best friends ceremony.

The ULC is recognized as 'a member of the clergy or minister who has been officially ordained and granted authority to perform marriage ceremonies from a governing church body in accordance with the rules and regulations of the church body;' (per below)..

I did confirm this with my town hall as well when I filed her certificate.

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 mayor of a city or village;
•the former mayor, the city clerk or one of the deputy city clerks of a city of more than one million inhabitants;
•a marriage officer appointed by the town or village board or the city common council;
•a justice or judge of the following courts: the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern or Western Districts of New York, the New York State Court of Appeals, the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, the New York State Supreme Court, the Court of Claims, the Family Court, a Surrogates Court, the Civil and Criminal Courts of New York City (including Housing judges of the Civil Court) and other courts of record;
•a village, town or county justice;
•a member of the clergy or minister who has been officially ordained and granted authority to perform marriage ceremonies from a governing church body in accordance with the rules and regulations of the church body;
•a member of the clergy or minister who is not authorized by a governing church body but who has been chosen by a spiritual group to preside over their spiritual affairs;
•other officiants as specified by Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law.'

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