§ 3-06 Marriage Officiant Registration.
RCNY § 3-06
Pursuant to § 11-B of the Domestic Relations Law, the Office of the City Clerk will accept the registration of officiants to perform wedding ceremonies within the City of New York upon presentation of documentary proof of authority as outlined below.
(a)In the case of clergy, the person wishing to register (hereafter "the registrant") must comply with one of the following: (1) In cases where the denomination publishes a directory of its clergy, the registrant may show that he or she is listed in that directory. If the registrant's name does not yet appear in the denominational directory, the registrant claiming membership in that denomination may instead present written confirmation for that membership from the body that puts out the directory. Such confirmation can also consist of a certificate or letter showing that the registrant graduated from the seminary or theological school pertaining to the denomination.
(2)In cases where the denomination does not have such a directory, the registrant must show several pieces of documentary proof of authority. First, the registrant must present an ordination certificate accompanied, if necessary, by an English translation thereof. In lieu of an ordination certificate, the registrant must present a "license to minister" or a letter of appointment from his or her religious body, i.e., from its hierarch or its board of trustees. Second, the registrant must present a letter from his or her local congregation verifying that he or she is the pastor or associate pastor of that congregation, and that the congregation therefore consents to the registering of that individual. Lastly, if the church is incorporated, the registrant must present a copy of the articles or incorporation. If the church is not incorporated, the registrant must submit a statement as to the location of the house of worship, the reason for its founding, the number of trustees, the approximate size of its congregation, and how often it meets.
(3)In cases where the registrant belongs to a denomination that does not have a directory and does not grant certificates of ordination or license to minister, the registrant must present a letter stating that he or she is the recognized spiritual leader of a congregation, and that the congregation therefore consents to the registering of that individual. The registrant must also submit a statement as to the location of the house of worship, the reason for its founding, the number of trustees, the approximate size of its congregation, and how often it meets.
(b)In the case of judges, registrants must present identification that shows them to be members of the judiciary of the Unified Court System of the State of New York. In the case of retired judges, registrants must also present proof that they have been certified pursuant to Paragraph (j) of Subdivision two of § 212 of the Judiciary Law.
(c)In the case of all other civil officials authorized to solemnize weddings, registrants must present documentary evidence identifying themselves as holders of their respective offices.
(d)In the case of chaplains of the armed forces of the United States, registrants must present active military identification that indicates their occupation.
