| Believe it or not, in some states a couple can legally | | | | - A member of the clergy or minister who has been |
| marry themselves with no formal officiant. In other | | | | officially ordained and granted authority to perform |
| states, the rules are more strict as only officiants | | | | marriage ceremonies from a governing church body in |
| ordained within that state can legally perform | | | | accordance with the rules and regulations of the |
| ceremonies there. The state of New York has its | | | | church body; |
| own guidelines and when you're planning your big day | | | | - A member of the clergy or minister who is not |
| here, it's good to do your research. | | | | authorized by a governing church body but who has |
| To be valid, a marriage ceremony must be | | | | been chosen by a spiritual group to preside over their |
| performed by any of the individuals specified in | | | | spiritual affairs; |
| Section 11 of the New York State Domestic | | | | - For marriages taking place within New York City, |
| Relations Law. These include: | | | | officiants must be registered with the City of New |
| - The mayor of a city or village; | | | | York. The officiant does not have to be a resident |
| - The former mayor, the city clerk or one of the | | | | of New York State. |
| deputy city clerks of a city of more than one million | | | | - Ship captains are not authorized to perform |
| inhabitants; | | | | marriage ceremonies in New York State. |
| - A marriage officer appointed by the town or village | | | | Ministers must complete a marriage certificate and |
| board or the city common council; | | | | return it to the town or city clerk who issued the |
| - A justice or judge of the following courts: the U.S. | | | | marriage license within five days after the marriage. |
| Court of Appeals, the New York State Court of | | | | Once you have chosen the person who will marry |
| Appeals, the New York State Supreme Court and | | | | you, be sure to discuss with them other details such |
| the Appellate Division, the Court of Claims, the Family | | | | as fees, expected donations, choice of ceremony |
| Court, a Surrogates Court, the Civil and Criminal | | | | and sending in the license to be recorded. Putting all |
| Courts of New York City (including Housing judges of | | | | of the legal issues in order beforehand will leave your |
| the Civil Court) and other courts of record; | | | | mind carefree and focused on each other, on that |
| - A village, town or county justice; | | | | most important of days. |