Friend performing cermony

I would be very wary of that. If I were in your shoes, I would definitely double check New York law to ensure they will honor a ceremony performed by someone ordained by ULM (some states require any minister performing a marriage be ordained in that state). If that checks out, I would then go to the courthouse and get a state issued marriage. Better safe than sorry!

Https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/4210/
You and your fiance will need to apply in person for your marriage license. The court needs to verify your identity.

Some states will recognize common law without a license. If you want to fit cleanly into state laws (certain benefits but also controls) then you get a license in those states that require them. I think NYC is stricter on this stuff, so you would need to make sure your steps are correct if you want that state-sanctioned marriage.

Many states do not recognize online organizations as valid for ordinations. You still have to go to the local marriage license office for a license to be legally married. They have to be registered with the office as a legal representative with the ability to perform the ceremony before the wedding. Those regulations vary by state and will be void if you ignore even one step. You will not know anything until you ask that office directly on the procedures and laws you must follow. If cousin does her own thing, your marriage will not be valid or legal.

After looking into this, it appears as though you will definitely have to obtain a marriage license from the local courthouse. Your officiant also will be required to register with the NYC city clerk, in order for your marriage to be legal

View Quoted Comment Thank you all for info. So update she is aware she has to register and has all the paperwork for that. But I'm def gonna go down to da clerk office to confirm if I have to get the license because she has the certificates already and was told we just after the cermony with it and they would put on record.

View Quoted Comment Typically, it is the reverse. The couple applies for and picks up the marriage license and then the officiant files it with the clerks office after the wedding. When you apply for the marriage license, you have to submit proof you are who you are, and in some states you even have to get a blood test beforehand. They have to ensure that you are who you say you are and that you are not legally married elsewhere.

You have to go in person to the county you live in to get the license. Then your officiant takes that certificate and they sign plus you and your witnesses sign and then it gets sent to the county where you were married.

I live in WNY, and my friend just had a wedding here(she lives in PA) she had to come up over 24 hours early to get their marriage license in the county that they have the wedding. They had mixed reviews if ULM was acceptable, it was. But they had to go together with ID to get their marriage license

You still need a marriage license and you also need to check to make sure her credentials are legal in your state. In my state universal life church is not recognized as a legitimate form of ordination. I hold a doctorate in religion. Therefore, my credentials in my state are recognized, but I also have back up credentials. If that’s not good enough that aside, I’m not saying this is a vendor I’m saying this is someone with experience, but you do need to make sure that it is legal in your state with her credentials

You still need to apply for it yourself with your fiance at the town hall of where you are getting married.

I am from NYC and there, and I daresay in most states, a marriage license is necessary. In order to get married in New York State, you must obtain a marriage license. In NYC, you must make an appointment to apply for a marriage license, costs $35, there's a waiting period of 24 hours before the ceremony, and is good for 60 days. Go on the city clerk marriage bureau site for complete information www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/content/marriage-license You can get all the information you need on this website or by calling the phone number given there.

View Quoted Comment

You absolutely need to apply for a marriage license in NYC. You MUST make an appointment to apply for a marriage license. It costs $35, there's a 24 hour waiting period before you can get married, and you must use the license within 60 days. www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/content/marriage-license. Go to this site for more information about the license and any other officiant info you need. The City must recognize the officiant for the marriage to be legal. But you and your fiance must go get the license, after you make an appointment.