N.Y. Domestic Relations Law Section 24
Effect of marriage on legitimacy of children

1.

A child heretofore or hereafter born of parents who prior or subsequent to the birth of such child shall have entered into a civil or religious marriage, or shall have consummated a common-law marriage where such marriage is recognized as valid, in the manner authorized by the law of the place where such marriage takes place, is the legitimate child of both birth parents notwithstanding that such marriage is void or voidable or has been or shall hereafter be annulled or judicially declared void.

2.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to affect the construction of any will or other instrument executed before the time this act shall take effect or any right or interest in property or right of action vested or accrued before the time this act shall take effect, or to limit the operation of any judicial determination heretofore made containing express provision with respect to the legitimacy, maintenance or custody of any child, or to affect any adoption proceeding heretofore commenced, or limit the effect of any order or orders entered in such adoption proceeding.

Source: Section 24 — Effect of marriage on legitimacy of children, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/DOM/24 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Apr. 26, 2025).

10
Marriage a civil contract 10–A
Parties to a marriage 10–B
Religious exception 11
By whom a marriage must be solemnized 11–A
Duty of city clerk in certain cities of the first class 11–B
Registration of persons performing marriage ceremonies in the city of New York 11–C
Marriage officers 11–D
One-day marriage officiant license 12
Marriage, how solemnized 13
Marriage licenses 13–AA
Test to determine the presence of sickle cell anemia 13–B
Time within which marriage may be solemnized 13–C
Twenty-four hour provision waived in certain cases 13–D
Duty of clerk issuing marriage license 14
Town and city clerks to issue marriage licenses 14–A
Town and city clerks to issue certificates of marriage registration 15
Duty of town and city clerks 15–A
Marriages of minors under eighteen years of age 15–B
Temporary provisions authorizing issuance of marriage license, upon court order, without consent of a parent in armed forces of United St... 16
False statements and affidavits 17
Clergyman or officer violating article 18
Clergymen or officer, when protected 19
Records to be kept by town and city clerks 19–A
Marriages on vessels 20
Records to be kept by the state department of health and the city clerk of the city of New York 20–A
Certified transcripts of records 20–B
Certification of marriage 20–C
Certification of marriage 21
Forms and books to be furnished 22
Penalty for violation 23
Supervision of and inspection of town and city clerks’ records by state commissioner of health 24
Effect of marriage on legitimacy of children 25
License, when to be obtained
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Accessed:
Apr. 26, 2025

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 24’s source at nysenate​.gov

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