Wedding Officiant question.

chmo Posted: Jul 24, 2014 03:28 PM

Wedding Officiant question.

Hello Everyone,
I would love to have my friend officiate my wedding. He's looking into getting a license through the Universal Life Monastery which is one of those online deals. However, I've read that NY State has a murky law regarding the legality of these ceremonies. Meaning that they can be easily annulled or deemed invalid for pension, inheritance or insurance purposes.

I see a lot of other brides have chosen officiants and I was wondering if anyone has a definitive answer on whether it's legal and where their officiants got their license.

Thanks so much! This is the last thing that isn't nailed down and the wedding is in September! AHHH! :)

ndc923 Posted: Jul 25, 2014 10:51 AM

Wedding Officiant question.

I personally don't know the legality of it but I would think as long as the person is certified and you have filled out all the proper paperwork for the state of NY it would all stand the same? Have you read this specific law anywhere officially?

Chels Posted: Jul 25, 2014 11:24 AM

Re: Wedding Officiant question.

Posted by ndc923

I personally don't know the legality of it but I would think as long as the person is certified and you have filled out all the proper paperwork for the state of NY it would all stand the same? Have you read this specific law anywhere officially?

agreed... Worse case you can get married at the court and have your friend preform it... I think i saw that done on one of the 4 weddings

kammy322 Posted: Jul 25, 2014 11:57 AM

Wedding Officiant question.

He get registered through Universal Ministries (I think that is what it is called) online, they will get a certificate and then they need to go to City Hall and register through them and then they are ordained for the state of NY. A good friend of mine has done this and our officiant will be doing the same.