New York State Insider: Albany Desk: [PRESS RELEASE] Senator Biaggi and Senate Majority Pass Bill to Allow New Yorkers to Become One-Day Marriage Officiants.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, March 31st, 2022.

Senator Biaggi and Senate Majority Pass Bill to Allow New Yorkers to Become One-Day Marriage Officiants.

ALBANY, NY – Today, the New York State Senate passed legislation (S739A) sponsored by Senator Alessandra Biaggi to allow lay individuals to be designated as one-day marriage officiants in order to solemnize marriages. 

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi (D-Bronx/Westchester) issued the following statement:

“More and more couples would prefer to be married by a friend or relative. However, the authority to officiate a marriage in New York remains restrictive, even as other states such as California, Massachusetts, and Vermont have passed laws to allow lay people to become temporary officiants. This bill will modernize our law, and provide New York couples with the opportunity to further engage their loved ones on their special day. I thank my Senate colleagues for joining me in passing this legislation, and look forward to seeing it move through the Assembly this year.”