N.Y. Penal Law Section 255.20
Unlawfully procuring a marriage license, bigamy, adultery: defense

In any prosecution for unlawfully procuring a marriage license, bigamy, or adultery, it is an affirmative defense that the defendant acted under a reasonable belief that both he and the other person to the marriage or prospective marriage or to the sexual intercourse, as the case may be, were unmarried.

Source: Section 255.20 — Unlawfully procuring a marriage license, bigamy, adultery: defense, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/PEN/255.­20 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Jan. 3, 2026).

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Verified:
Jan. 3, 2026

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 255.20. Unlawfully procuring a marriage license, bigamy, adultery: defense's source at nysenate​.gov

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