[§572B-8]  Record of solemnization; reported by whom; affidavit; evidentiary weight of certificate or affidavit.  (a)  Each person who solemnizes a civil union shall certify upon the civil union license certificate the fact, time, and place of the solemnization of the civil union and return the certificate to the agent within three business days following the solemnization of the civil union, or as may otherwise be prescribed by the department of health.

     (b)  If any person who has solemnized a civil union fails to return the certificate to the agent as required under subsection (a), the partners joined in a civil union may provide the agent with a notarized affidavit attesting to the fact that they were joined in a civil union and stating the date and place of the solemnization of the civil union.  Upon the receipt of that affidavit by the agent, the civil union of the partners shall be deemed to be valid as of the date of the solemnization of the civil union stated in the affidavit.

     (c)  The certificate required by subsection (a) or an affidavit received pursuant to subsection (b) shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. [L 2011, c 1, pt of §2]