MARRIAGE CEREMONY

Things to Keep In Mind When Planning a Marriage Ceremony in New York

Planning a wedding is a fun and exciting activity. However, it is also something that can be quite tedious at times as well. Many individuals have an idea of the process which they need to go through with regard to finding a church, reception site and wedding gown however, one may be a little more inexperienced when it comes to the steps a couple needs to take prior to getting to the chapel. The following paragraphs will provide some brief details with regard to procedural requirements for being married in New York State.

Marriage License

A marriage license is required by the State of New York in order for a couple to be legally married. These licenses can be obtained via the town or city clerk. The marriage license is effective immediately upon obtaining it; however, the couple must wait at least 24-hours after obtaining the marriage license before they can be married. A couple where both individuals are 18 years of age or older do not require consent of a parent or guardian in order to be married. For those individuals who are under 18, certain forms of consent are required.

Type of Ceremony

There is no set requirement when it comes to the overall ceremony format. The only guideline which the couple must follow with regard to the ceremony is that in order for the marriage to be valid, the ceremony must be performed by an authorized clergy member or public official plus at least one additional witness. The witness may be of any age although it is important that the witness be deemed to be competent overall in order to know what they are witnessing.

Where the Ceremony Can Take Place

A couple who has obtained a New York State marriage license must be married within the State of New York. A marriage that takes place via a New York State marriage license outside of the State of New York will be deemed invalid and be unable to be filed in New York.

These are just a few details to keep in mind when preparing for the big day.