The bill amends New Mexico's marriage laws to allow marriages to be solemnized via telecommunication. It introduces new definitions for "solemnize" and "witness," clarifying that a marriage ceremony can be conducted with witnesses present either in person or through telecommunication. This change aims to modernize the process of marriage solemnization, accommodating couples who may not be able to meet in person.

Additionally, the bill specifies that couples must still obtain a marriage license from a county clerk and that the ceremony must be conducted by an authorized individual who is physically present in the state at the time of the ceremony. This ensures that while telecommunication is permitted for the witnessing aspect, the officiant must be present in New Mexico, maintaining a level of legal oversight in the marriage process.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 40-1-2, 40-1-10