This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Southampton Town Clerk Preps for Same-Sex Marriages

Clerk's office to distribute first marriage licenses to same-sex couples on Monday.

The Southampton Town clerk’s office has been preparing for Monday morning, the first time it opens its doors to same-sex couples legally seeking marriage licenses.

Town Clerk Sundy Schermeyer said that at the end of last week her office received updated New York State marriage licenses. Instead of “bride” and “groom,” the documents say “groom/bride/spouse.” The New York State Town Clerk’s Association told Schermeyer late last month — soon after the law was passed  — that she would receive new forms in time for the first business day the law will be in effect, July 25.

The town clerk’s office has five weddings tentatively scheduled for next week, though they are not all same-sex, Schermeyer said. The weddings are only planned, and not definite. “It’s civil ceremonies, they’re not renting a catering hall,” she quipped.

Find out what's happening in Southamptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Immediately after the law was passed last month, two same-sex couples scheduled weddings with Schermeyer for the week of July 25.

“We’ve received some phone calls and some have been coming in,” Schermeyer said. “Our staffing has been sufficient to handle the additional calls.”

Find out what's happening in Southamptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Both partners need to be present at the time of application, Schermeyer said. Applicants must have a current driver’s license or passport and a birth certificate or baptismal certificate, according to the Town Clerk’s website. The license costs $40.

Unlike some states, New York does not require blood tests.

New York State requires that couples wait 24 hours to wed after the license is issued.

Although some clerks will open their doors Sunday to accommodate eager same-sex couples, Southampton Town will not, Schermeyer said. The clerk’s office will open Monday morning at 8:30 a.m.

“We’ve been taking applications in advance to ensure people have their paperwork in order,” she said.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?