Same Sex Marriage License Issued

Since the United States Supreme Court ruling on June 26 allowing same sex marriage nationwide, Jasper County has had one application for a same sex union.

“We had our first same sex application for a marriage license submitted on Monday at 9 a.m.,” according to Michelle Raynor, a clerk for the Jasper County Probate Office when asked had any same sex licenses been issued.

Prior to last Friday’s 5-4 ruling in favor of allowing same sex marriages across the nation, individual state governments were given jurisdiction to determine its take on the issue as it relates to the Constitution. Many states had banned same sex unions as unconstitutional, Georgia was one of those.

The U.S. is now the 21st country to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide, including territories such as Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Married same-sex couples can now be afforded the same legal rights and benefits as married heterosexual couples nationwide and will be recognized on official documents such as birth and death certificates.

When questioned as to whether the Jasper Probate Office has had to make any official changes in the license issuing process yet, Ms. Raynor said nothing major other than changing some key wording on the license application.

Instead of “Groom” and “Bride” the local application now reads “Applicant 1” and “Applicant 2”