NEW YORK (PIX11) -- It is wedding season, and as people all over are tying the knot, there's a question every couple must answer before they say, "I do." Who will sign as a witness?
Well, New Yorkers are in luck because they are in one of the 29 states that allow your dog, cat, hamster or rabbit to be a "legitimate witness" on a marriage certificate, according to Courtly.
Pets being allowed to participate in weddings as witnesses have been around for "several decades," Courtly said. The full list of states where your pet can act as a witness in your wedding are:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Washington, D.C.
There are an additional eight states where your pet is allowed to serve as a wedding officiant, according to Courtly. They are:
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Maine
- Nevada
- Pennsylvania
- Wisconsin
- Washington, D.C.
Jonathan Rizk is a digital journalist who has covered local news in New York City and Washington, D.C. He has been with PIX11 since August 2022. See more of his work here, and follow him on X and Facebook @OfficialRizk. Get in touch at [email protected].
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