New York Marriage Laws
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed April 02, 2018
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Preparing for marriage can be a very exciting time: It's thrilling to imagine spending a lifetime with that special someone. It might be tempting to be impetuous and get married with minimal planning; Las Vegas is great for that unlike some other destinations that might present problems. However, if you want to get married in New York, there are practical matters that must be taken into account prior to the marriage.
Besides being eligible for lawful marriage with certain age, consent, and capacity requirements, the prospective spouses should become acquainted with other factors in order to comply with New York's marriage laws
New York Marriage Laws at a Glance
Although an attorney's contributions to interpreting statutes can't be denied, it's certainly helpful to have a plain language reference as well. The chart below provides a summary of the statutes that comprise New York's marriage laws.
Statutes |
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Validity of Marriage |
All states including New York have certain requirements to obtain a marriage license. Marriage licenses
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Solemnization (performance) of marriage |
For a valid marriage ceremony, the ceremony must be performed by any of the following individuals:
No particular form or ceremony is required. However, when the marriage is performed, the parties must declare their intention to become lawful spouses in the presence of an authorized member of the clergy or an authorized magistrate and at least one other witness. Time Frame A marriage is not to be performed within 24 hours after the issuance of the marriage license unless authorized by an order of the court of record. Incestuous/Void marriages A marriage is considered incestuous and void (whether the relatives are legitimate or illegitimate) in the following situations:
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Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
New York Marriage Laws: Related Resources
- New York Family Laws
- New York Annulment and Prohibited Marriage Laws
- Tips for Marriage
- Getting Married: Checklist
Connect with an Attorney about New York Marriage Laws
If you're engaged or are preparing to perform a marriage ceremony in New York, you want to make sure that you're adequately informed to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Connect with an experienced family law attorney in your area today.
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