N.Y. Domestic Relations Law § 144: Proof required

§ 144. Proof required. 1. In an action to annul a marriage, a final

judgment annulling the marriage shall not be rendered by default for

want of an appearance or pleading, or by consent, or upon a trial of an

issue, without proof of the facts upon which the allegation of nullity

is founded. Plaintiff shall prove that there has been no such

cohabitation between the parties as would bar a judgment except that in

an action under subdivision (c) of section one hundred forty the

plaintiff may prove instead that the mental illness still continues.

2. In any action, whether or not contested, brought to annul a

marriage, the declaration or confession of either party to the marriage

is not alone sufficient as proof, but other satisfactory evidence of the

facts must be produced.