Hello,
Since the end of this weekend is coming upon us, it seems like a good time for Governor Andrew Cuomo to release another Executive Order. This afternoon, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.21, his twenty-second (22nd) order put forth during this state of emergency. This Executive Order is effective from April 19, 2020 to May 19, 2020.
Executive Order 202.21 is very limited in nature as it merely lays out a single directive that clarifies the prior directive contained in Executive Order 202.20 that permitted marriages to be solemnized using audio/video technology. The directive contained in Executive Order 202.21 provides as follows:
- The directive regarding solemnization of a marriage ceremony contained in Executive Order 202.20 shall be modified to expressly include any officiant, public or private, as able to perform or solemnize such marriage ceremony utilizing audio-video technology, as delineated in such directive
Executive Order 202.20 failed to specify who could solemnize or perform a wedding under these circumstances. Now, as per this new directive, any official who is legally permitted to marry a couple may do so during the COVID-19 emergency using audio-video technology provided that the conditions spelled out in Executive Order 202.20 are met. A copy of Executive Order 202.21 can be found here.