You’ve got the venue, the dress, the DJ… and your best friend is going to marry you. It’s going to be perfect, right?

Maybe — but only if it’s legal.

So let’s clear things up: Can someone with an online ordination legally marry you on Long Island?

The Short Answer: Not without a special permit.

If your friend or family member was ordained online (like through Universal Life Church or another click-to-ordain site), they’ll need to apply for a Single-Use Permit under New York State legislation (Bill A06300) to be legally allowed to sign your marriage license.

If they don’t? The marriage might look official, but legally, it’s a gray area.

Why Online Ordinations Are Risky in New York

New York State has some of the strictest officiant laws in the country. Unlike New York City (which allows online officiants to register for ceremonies within the five boroughs), the rest of the state does not officially recognize online ordinations.

What does that mean for you?

• Anyone can fill out a marriage license and hand it in.

• Town Halls rarely ask questions — they’ll usually file it either way.

• But that certificate doesn’t guarantee that your marriage can hold up in court.

If the validity of your marriage is ever challenged (in cases involving divorce, inheritance, insurance, or immigration), you could find out the hard way that your marriage wasn’t legal after all.

Real Legal Precedents in NY

Cases like Raniere v. Raniere and Ravenal v. Ravenal have shown that courts can and have voided marriages because the officiant wasn’t legally authorized. That means:

• No spousal rights

• No asset protection

• And potentially — no marriage at all

How to Protect Yourself (And Still Have the Ceremony You Want)

We totally get it — you want someone personal to officiate. But if they were ordained online, play it safe:

1. Get legally married first at your local Town Hall — it’s quick, easy, and only $40.

2. Or have your friend apply for the new Single-Use Permit (if eligible).

3. Or have someone fully legal (like us!) sign the marriage license, and your friend can still lead the public ceremony.

Why Couples Choose Us

All of our officiants are ordained through Church of Ancient Ways, a recognized 501(c)(3) religious organization with full legal standing in New York State since 1997. We’re also registered with the NYC City Clerk, which means we can marry couples anywhere in New York — legally, confidently, and without compromise.

Venues, Town Halls, and even attorneys regularly ask for our credentials — and we’re proud to provide them.

One Last Fun (But True) Example

Did you know you could get a basset hound ordained online? We did. His name was Sebastian Basset, and yes — he passed away in 2008… but he was “legally ordained” in 2015.

If that sounds like a joke, it’s because it is. But it also points to the real issue: online ordinations offer zero identity verification — and zero legal protection.

Final Word: Don’t Leave Your Marriage Up to Chance

Getting married is a once-in-a-lifetime milestone. Make sure it counts — legally and emotionally.

If you’ve already been married by an online officiant and aren’t sure if it was valid, or you want to include a friend in the ceremony without risking your legal status, we can help.

Learn about our Sit & Sign and other services
Or just reach out and contact us — no judgment, just answers.