"The Department recognizes that it is important for some traditional opposite-gender couples to be able to refer to themselves as “bride” and “groom” on the official document that records their marriage. The Department also recognizes that there are some couples, both opposite and same gender, who may wish to use the designation of “spouse” or who may prefer to use no titles at all to refer to themselves on their certificate. The forms the Department has developed allow for all couples to be able to refer to themselves in the manner of their choice on their marriage documents." — Iowa Department of Public Health Director Tom Newton, 4-17-09.
The statement above comes from a news release just issued by the Iowa Department of Public Health, regarding wedding license forms. Read it below.
Updated Marriage Forms Issued
The following is a statement from Iowa Dept. of Public Health Director Tom Newton regarding the updated marriage forms issued to all Iowa County Registrars today:
As many Iowans know, the Iowa Supreme Court recently struck down as unconstitutional Iowa’s marriage statute which limits marriage to one man and one woman. The Court ordered that same sex couples must be granted access to the institution of marriage on the same terms as opposite gender couples, holding that Iowa law “must be interpreted and applied in a manner allowing gay and lesbian people full access to the institution of marriage.” Varnum at p. 68.
The Director of the Department of Public Health is by law the State Registrar for vital records in the state. The Department is responsible for developing and distributing all vital records forms in the state, including the Application to Marry in Iowa, the License to Marry in Iowa, and the Certificate of Marriage. The Certificate of Marriage is the official vital record used to record the marriage event.
The current marriage forms identify the parties to the marriage by the designations “bride” and “groom.” The Varnum decision requires the Department to amend the forms so that all couples can have access to the institution of marriage on terms which accurately identify and record their marital relationship.
The new marriage forms contain two optional sections. The first allows each party to the marriage the option of designating a title – bride, groom, or spouse – to be included on the Certificate of Marriage.
If an applicant for marriage desires to be referred to as either a bride, groom, or spouse on the Certificate of Marriage, the applicant can check the box in front of their preferred designation on the marriage application and that title will be indicated on the certificate. If an applicant for marriage does not wish to be referred to as either bride, groom, or spouse on the certificate, then the applicant would not check any of the boxes and none of those titles will be designated on their marriage certificate.
The Department recognizes that it is important for some traditional opposite-gender couples to be able to refer to themselves as “bride” and “groom” on the official document that records their marriage. The Department also recognizes that there are some couples, both opposite and same gender, who may wish to use the designation of “spouse” or who may prefer to use no titles at all to refer to themselves on their certificate. The forms the Department has developed allow for all couples to be able to refer to themselves in the manner of their choice on their marriage documents.
The second optional field is gender. Gender is collected for statistical purposes so that accurate data regarding marriages performed in Iowa can be maintained.
The Department has provided the revised marriage forms and instructions for using the forms to all Iowa County Registrars.
About O.Kay Henderson
Kay is a founding member of the Radio Iowa network newsroom. In 1994, she became the network’s news director. She’s a featured reporter and commentator on Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press,” and the 2002 recipient of the Shelley Award.
Recent Comments