SAN FRANCISCO — State health officials say the words “bride” and “groom” will reappear on all marriage license applications issued in California starting next month.
In a notice posted on its Web site, the California Department of Public Health says it is making the change because many couples still wanted the option of identifying themselves in traditional terms.
When same-sex marriage became legal in the state on June 16, the health department issued new gender-neutral marriage forms with the words “Party A” and “Party B” where “bride” and “groom” used to be.
The latest paperwork, which county clerks will be required to use starting Nov. 17, will have blank spaces for applicants’ names and personal information next to the words “First Person Data” and “Second Person Data” and boxes for checking “bride” or “groom.”
People are also reading…
Because “bride” and “groom” appear in both sections, couples could check the same title twice to reflect a union between two men or two women.
The health department sent a letter to the state’s 58 county clerks on Friday describing the boxes as optional: “The designation of Groom or Bride is now available but not required,” the letter states.
Eliminating “bride” and “groom” from marriage certificates was a step the department thought it had to take to comply with the California Supreme Court decision in June that legalized same-sex marriage, spokeswoman Suanne Buggy said.
But in the time since, state officials have looked for alternatives to satisfy couples who did not like the ring of “Party A” and “Party B,” she said.
“We have heard from many Californians who have asked to have the option to identify as bride or groom, and we have been reviewing how we could provide the options they have requested and still be in compliance with court rulings.” she said.
Because the revisions won’t take effect until next month, couples who have tied the knot since mid-June will not be able to have their recorded marriage certificates amended to reflect the new language, Buggy said.
A suburban Sacramento couple sued Placer County’s clerk last week for rejecting their marriage license after the couple hand-wrote “bride” and “groom” next to their names. Under state law, changes to official forms are prohibited.
New Tucson lounge to embrace dark and cozy
