What's happening
This bill allows marriage certificates from foreign governments or religious institutions as valid documentation to change names on New York driver's licenses and ID cards.
Why it matters
Expands recognition of international and religious marriages. By accepting foreign and religious marriage certificates, the bill acknowledges the validity of diverse marital practices and documentation, which can be especially significant for immigrants and those whose marriages aren't registered with U.S. civil authorities.
Reduces barriers for name changes. Individuals married abroad or through religious institutions often face hurdles when trying to update their identification in New York. This bill streamlines the process, making it easier for them to align their legal identity with their marital status.
Promotes inclusivity and administrative fairness. Allowing these additional forms of proof helps ensure that all New Yorkers, regardless of their country of origin or religious practice, are treated equitably when interacting with state agencies, reducing the risk of exclusion or discrimination.
May improve access to services and rights. Having updated, accurate ID is vital for accessing a range of services, employment, and legal rights. This change could have practical impacts on daily life for affected individuals, supporting their full participation in society.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Driver’s license holders with foreign marriage certificates
The bill would require acceptance of marriage certificates from foreign governments for name changes on their licenses.
Non-driver ID holders with foreign marriage certificates
The bill would require acceptance of foreign government marriage certificates for name changes on their identification cards.
Bona fide religious institutions issuing marriage certificates abroad
Their certificates would have to be accepted for name changes on driver’s licenses and non-driver identification cards.
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
The bill would require the agency to accept these certificates in addition to other acceptable name-change documentation.
Headline styles
Accept Foreign Marriage Certificates
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Accept Foreign Marriage Certificates
In Senate Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Anna Kaplan
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
9083
IN ASSEMBLY
January 17, 2020
Introduced by M. of A. LAVINE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to allowing certificates of marriage from foreign governments and religious institutions as acceptable documentation to change a name on the driver's license or non-driver identification card
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new subdivision 1-a to read as follows:
1-a. In addition to any other documentation acceptable to the commissioner for the purposes of changing a person's name on a driver's license pursuant to subdivision one of this section, the commissioner shall accept a certificate of marriage from the government of a foreign country or from a bona fide religious institution that issues certificates of marriage in a foreign country.
§ 2. Section 502 vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new subdivision 3-a to read as follows:
3-a. In addition to any other documentation acceptable to the commissioner for the purposes of changing a person's name on a non-driver identification card pursuant to subdivisions two and three of this section, the commissioner shall accept a certificate of marriage from the government of a foreign country or from a bona fide religious institution that issues certificates of marriage in a foreign country.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14550-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.