Legal News

N.Y. to Recognize Same-Sex Marriages

The state of New York will recognize same-sex marriages and unions that are formed and legally validated in other jurisdictions, under an order issued by New York Governor David Paterson.

According to CNN.com, Governor Paterson's legal counsel has instructed state agencies to revise their policies "to recognize same-sex marriages performed in California and Massachusetts as well as Canada and other countries that allow gays and lesbians to marry." The New York Times calls the move "the strongest signal yet" that Governor Paterson intends to push for the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York.

In California, where the California Supreme Court rejected the state's same-sex marriage ban, state officials announced that -- barring any contrary legal developments -- marriage licenses for same-sex couples may be issued beginning on June 17, 2008 (30 days after the court's ruling).

• N.Y. Times: New York to Back Same-Sex Unions from Elsewhere
• CNN.com: New York to Recognize Gay Marriages
• Information Regarding California Marriage Licenses (CA Dept. of Public Health)
• Same-Sex Couples and the Law (FindLaw)
• Family Law Center: Marriage (FindLaw)

Full post as published by FindLaw's Common Law on May 29, 2008 (boomark / email).