Bigamy is the act of marrying one person while being legally married to another. Polygamy is the practice or custom (often religious) of having more than one wife or husband at a time. Most states prohibit a party from having more than one marriage license at a time, and in most states bigamy is a crime.
In New York, both bigamy and polygamy are prohibited by law. Bigamy, which is the act of entering into a marriage with one person while still legally married to another, is considered a criminal offense under New York Penal Law Section 255.20. It is classified as a felony, and a person convicted of bigamy can face up to four years in prison. Polygamy, the practice of having more than one spouse simultaneously, is not legally recognized in New York, and individuals cannot legally obtain more than one marriage license at a time. While some may engage in polygamous relationships due to religious or personal beliefs, such relationships do not have legal standing in the state of New York.