'Bride' and 'Groom' to be Restored to California Marriage License Forms

With a statewide vote looming over Proposition 8, the amendment to overturn the legality of same-sex marriage in the state, California Department of Public Health officials say the words “bride” and “groom” will reappear on all marriage license applications issued in California starting next month. The state department says it is making the change because many couples still wanted the option of identifying themselves in traditional terms.

According to the Associated Press, 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. Starting Nov. 17, the latest paperwork 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.”

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.

“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,” spokeswoman Suanne Buggy said.

According to the AP report, the Williams Institute for Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy, a think tank based at the University of California, Los Angeles estimated Monday that 11,000 same-sex couples have exchanged vows since they won the right to do so.

For FAQs about same-sex marriage in San Diego County, read my article here.