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NY State — NY Penal Law

§ 255.00 — Unlawfully solemnizing a marriage

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Statute text reproduced from nysenate.gov. Not attorney-reviewed for your situation — for reference only.

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What is NY PL § 255.00?

Quick Answer

A person is guilty of unlawfully solemnizing a marriage when: 1. Knowing that he is not authorized by the laws of this state to do so, he performs a marriage ceremony or presumes to solemnize a marriage; or 2.

General informational summary. Not legal advice for your situation. Consult an attorney before acting on any specific matter.

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§ 255.00 Unlawfully solemnizing a marriage

PL § 255.00

§ 255.00 Unlawfully solemnizing a marriage.

A person is guilty of unlawfully solemnizing a marriage when:

1.Knowing that he is not authorized by the laws of this state to do so, he performs a marriage ceremony or presumes to solemnize a marriage; or

2.Being authorized by the laws of this state to perform marriage ceremonies and to solemnize marriages, he performs a marriage ceremony or solemnizes a marriage knowing that a legal impediment to such marriage exists.

Unlawfully solemnizing a marriage is a class A misdemeanor.

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