Senator Biaggi and Assemblymember Galef Announce Passage of Bill to Allow New Yorkers to Become One-Day Marriage Officiants

ALBANY, NY – Last week, the New York State Senate and Assembly passed legislation (S739A/A6300A) sponsored by State Senator Alessandra Biaggi and Assemblymember Sandy Galef to allow lay individuals to be designated as one-day marriage officiants in order to solemnize marriages. 

“An increasing number of couples now prefer to be married by a friend or relative, and our laws should account for that. This bill will modernize our law by providing New York State couples with the opportunity to further engage their loved ones on their special day. I’d like to thank Assemblymember Galef and my Legislative colleagues for their support for this legislation, and I look forward to seeing this bill signed into law,” State Senator Alessandra Biaggi (D-Bronx/Westchester).

"There was always a legal question as to the validity of marriages by online officiants. After this legislation becomes law, the New York State Secretary of State will establish an official system for friends and family members to perform weddings,” said Assemblymember Sandy Galef (D-Westchester/Putnam).

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