For Local Clerks, SCOTUS Marriage Decision Changes Little

Same-sex couples can now marry nationwide, but marriage license applications in Starke, Pulaski, and Marshall County will remain unchanged.

The Supreme Court declared in a 5-4 decision on Friday that same-sex couples have a right under the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution to wed. According to the syllabus from the majority opinion, same-sex couples must now have their marriages from neighboring state governments recognized by the state in which they currently reside.

Changes in Indiana, however, were made prior to the Supreme Court’s decision. The Hoosier State saw its ban on same-sex marriage struck down in 2014.

Alterations were made to the marriage license application in October of that year, changing the title of the applicants to be non-gender specific. License applications now specify Applicant 1 and Applicant 2 as opposed to “Bride” and “Groom.”

The County Clerk’s offices will continue issuing licenses to same-sex couples in the area should they wish to pursue one.