What's happening
This bill allows certified civil celebrants, approved by the secretary of state, to officiate marriages in New York.
Why it matters
Expands who can officiate marriages. By allowing civil celebrants (who are not clergy or government officials) to be certified, the bill increases options for couples who want a nonreligious or personalized ceremony, reflecting diverse beliefs and preferences.
Sets clear standards for celebrants. Certification requires celebrants to be adults, have a high school diploma, and complete a rigorous six-month course covering celebrant philosophy, ceremony structure, and presentation, ensuring professionalism and consistency.
Creates official oversight and accountability. The Secretary of State manages the certification process, including application, fees, and the ability to revoke certification if requirements aren't met or if information is falsified, aiming to prevent misuse and maintain integrity.
Potentially increases access and inclusion. By formalizing the role of civil celebrants, the law could make marriage ceremonies more accessible to people outside religious traditions, those seeking culturally specific or secular ceremonies, or those in underserved communities.
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Who cares
Civil celebrants
They could solemnize marriages after receiving state certification, subject to age, education, training and application requirements and a $50–$75 fee.
Secretary of state and Department of State
They would administer certification, set application rules and fees, maintain records and oversee revocation proceedings.
State-registered non-denominational or educational charitable organizations
Their civil celebrant courses could qualify applicants if they meet the bill’s duration, frequency and curriculum requirements.
Couples seeking a civil celebrant
They could have their marriages solemnized by a state-certified civil celebrant.
Headline styles
Allow Civil Celebrants Marriages
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to judiciary
- Referred to judiciary
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.
Let Civil Celebrants Marry Couples
In Assembly Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Latoya Joyner
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
430
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. HOYLMAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the domestic relations law, in relation to solemnization of marriages by a civil celebrant
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 11 of the domestic relations law, as amended by chapter 95 of the laws of 2011, is amended and a new subdivision 1-b is added to read as follows:
1. A clergyman or minister of any religion, a civil celebrant who is certified by the secretary of state to solemnize marriages as set forth in subdivision one-b of this section, or by the senior leader, or any of the other leaders, of The Society for Ethical Culture in the city of New York, having its principal office in the borough of Manhattan, or by the leader of The Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, having its principal office in the borough of Brooklyn of the city of New York, or of the Westchester Ethical Society, having its principal office in Westchester county, or of the Ethical Culture Society of Long Island, having its principal office in Nassau county, or of the Riverdale-Yonkers Ethical Society having its principal office in Bronx county, or by the leader of any other Ethical Culture Society affiliated with the American Ethical Union; provided that no clergyman or minister as defined in section two of the religious corporations law, or Society for Ethical Culture leader shall be required to solemnize any marriage when acting in his or her capacity under this subdivision.
1-b. A civil celebrant shall be authorized to solemnize marriages if certified to do so by the secretary of state.
(a) A civil celebrant shall receive a certification from the secretary of state to solemnize marriages if the celebrant:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00100-01-9
S. 430 2
(1) is at least eighteen years of age and has graduated from a secondary school in the United States;
(2) has completed a civil celebrant course offered by a non-denominational or educational charitable organization that is registered with the state and which course:
(i) includes classes that meet weekly or with more frequency, either administered in person or by other means, over a period of not less than six months; and
(ii) educates on topics including, but not limited to, celebrant philosophy and history, ceremonial structure, and ceremonial presentations; and
(3)(i) submits a completed application form, developed by the secretary of state pursuant to regulation, which includes the name and address of the celebrant-applicant along with any other relevant information on the celebrant-applicant required by the secretary of state, and supporting documentation with respect to all certification requirements set forth in this subdivision; and
(ii) pays to the department of state, at the time of submitting the completed application, a fee of not less than fifty dollars or more than seventy-five dollars, as determined by the secretary of state by regulation, to cover costs for processing applications, producing and issuing certificates, and maintaining records on applications and certificates issued or denied.
(b)(1) A celebrant-applicant shall not be authorized to solemnize marriages until the application for certification is approved and the certificate received from the secretary of state.
(2) A civil celebrant who has received a certification from the secretary of state may have that certification revoked, through a hearing before an administrative law judge, if the secretary of state determines that any information provided in the celebrant's application was inaccurate or otherwise did not comply with the certification requirements set forth in this subdivision. A civil celebrant subject to a revocation hearing before an administrative law judge or any appeal thereof shall not be authorized to solemnize marriages and shall only again be authorized to do so if a final determination is made permitting the civil celebrant to retain the certification.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the domestic relations law, in relation to solemnization of marriages by a civil celebrant
Purpose of the bill
The purpose of the bill is to expand the list of individuals authorized to solemnize marriages by including civil celebrants who are trained and certified to solemnize marriages.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends subdivision 1 of section 11 of the domestic relations law to authorize a civil celebrant who is certified by the Secretary of State to solemnize marriages. In addition, Section 1 adds a new subsection 1-b to establish certification requirements and proce- dures for certificate revocation.
Section 2 provides for this act to take effect immediately.
Justification
Under the existing law, marriage may be solemnized by a clergyman or minister of any religion, leaders of the Society for Ethical Culture, and certain public officials and judges. This legislation would add to this list of individuals civil celebrants who are properly trained and certified to solemnize marriages.
According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center on Religion and Public Life, nearly 16% of those polled said that they are unaffil- iated with any particular religion. This number indicates a growing need for ceremony professionals who can conduct wedding ceremonies outside the confines of traditional religious institutions.
Civil celebrants are professional ceremony officiants who are trained and educated on the history of celebrancy, ceremonial public speaking, client relationships and interviewing, and other related areas. This legislation recognizes the changing face of families by providing couples of all backgrounds, traditions, cultures and faiths greater choice in how they want to mark the beginning of their married life together. Moreover, the certification requirements for civil celebrants raise the level of professionalism by mandating successful completion of education and training for all licensed celebrants.
Prior legislative history
2017-18: S.1779 (Avella) - Passed Senate 2015-16: S.4189 (Avella) - Died in Judiciary
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.