© 2006 Christner-Severin Presents . . .
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Recently there have been a number of legal issues with marriages performed
by persons who received their ordination "online" or instantly by simply hitting
the "submit" button on their computers. In some cases marriages have been
nullified by the courts when it is learned that an "online" minister performed
the ceremony. A recent conviction for bigamy was overturned in New York
when the defendant successfully argued that he wasn't really married a
second time because a ULC minister performed the ceremony. In another
court case in Pennsylvania, a marriage by an online minister was nullified
when one of the parties filed for a divorce. States such as Hawaii, Arkansas,
Louisiana, Oklahoma, Nevada, Tennessee, New York and Indiana have all
changed their laws to restrict or control marriages by online or instant
ordained ministers. Other states may soon follow.
by persons who received their ordination "online" or instantly by simply hitting
the "submit" button on their computers. In some cases marriages have been
nullified by the courts when it is learned that an "online" minister performed
the ceremony. A recent conviction for bigamy was overturned in New York
when the defendant successfully argued that he wasn't really married a
second time because a ULC minister performed the ceremony. In another
court case in Pennsylvania, a marriage by an online minister was nullified
when one of the parties filed for a divorce. States such as Hawaii, Arkansas,
Louisiana, Oklahoma, Nevada, Tennessee, New York and Indiana have all
changed their laws to restrict or control marriages by online or instant
ordained ministers. Other states may soon follow.
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© 2006 Christner-Severin Presents . . .
These rulings and laws have increased the risk of having a marriage nullified when performed by persons ordained online
and have shown a growing trend by lawmakers to make such ordinations invalid for marriages. And the courts are
issuing rulings that are causing great duress and legal problems for couples who thought they were married. The courts
are saying that ministers should be ordained by recognized means and not instantly or online. Ordinations should be
"considered, deliberate and responsible acts" and not something granted to anyone with access to the Internet.
and have shown a growing trend by lawmakers to make such ordinations invalid for marriages. And the courts are
issuing rulings that are causing great duress and legal problems for couples who thought they were married. The courts
are saying that ministers should be ordained by recognized means and not instantly or online. Ordinations should be
"considered, deliberate and responsible acts" and not something granted to anyone with access to the Internet.
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