New York Legalizes Online Marriage During The Corona Pandemic

Ilustrasi pernikahan (Image by Pexels from Pixabay)

JAKARTA - In preventing the spread of coronavirus or COVID-19, a number of countries have implemented physical distancing. However, this did not reduce the bride and groom's intention to get married.

Quoting the New York Post page, the New York city government allows its citizens to get married online via video conferencing applications such as Zoom. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said citizens who were virtually married would still receive official marriage licenses from the government.

"Now there is no reason when questions arise to get married (even in the midst of a pandemic). You can do it with Zoom, "said Andrew Cuomo in his press conference.

According to the civil registry office, the US, online marriages will still receive an official marriage certificate from the government. This has also been stated in the provisions of Executive Order 220.20 which regulates wedding procedures through audio-visual devices.

In fact, to have this online marriage, the bride and groom are required to have an adequate internet connection network. Video conferencing should allow for direct interaction between spouses, witnesses and princes.

"There are no pre-recorded videos of people signing or being involved in the wedding ceremony," the order reads.

Later, the license or marriage certificate must be signed by each spouse and faxed to the civil registration office. The enforcement of this online marriage was taken, after New York extended the lockdown until May 15.

This is done in order to break the chain of the spread of COVID-19 in the country, even though this step is relatively small, but has an effect so that there are no crowds that cause physical distancing violations.

Previously, this online marriage had also taken place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). This method is done to help a couple who wants to get married even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Emirates News Agency (WAM) recently reported that the UAE Ministry of Justice allowed its citizens to set a date for the wedding ceremony to be held online via a video link. Later the leader will be presented to guide the procession of the marriage contract.

Not only that, a number of applications such as Webwed also offer online weddings through their devices. Even for couples from different countries.

In Indonesia, the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) through the Office of Religious Affairs (KUA) accommodates online marriage registration for prospective brides. It's just that, to have a virtual marriage is not allowed because it is not in accordance with the rules and applicable Islamic law.