Bluestem noted in Marriage equality in Southern MN: Blue Earth & Nicollet Counties issuing same-sex licenses that Blue Earth, Nicollet and Pipestone Counties are accepting applications from same-sex couples in anticipation of August 1 weddings.
Same-sex couples can legally marry in Minnesota on August 1, but must apply for a license at least five days in advance.
The New Ulm Journal's Fritz Busch reports in Counties accept same sex marriage applications:
Minnesota County Recorder's Offices began accepting applications for same sex marriages on Thursday, June 6."We met with the Blue Earth County Recorder's Office (after the legislative bill became law), and created an application very much like they have," said Nicollet County Recorder Kathy Conlon. As of Thursday noon, nobody had applied for a same sex marriage license in Nicollet County, according to Conlon.
Minnesota's same sex marriage law, signed May 14, 2013 by Gov. Mark Dayton, is not effective until Aug. 1, 2013. However, metropolitan area counties Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington, plus Nicollet, Blue Earth, Brown, Renville and Sibley Counties began accepting the applications Thursday.
By law, all marriage licenses have a five-day waiting period. In addition, both parties must appear and have valid identification photos to apply. Marriage licenses obtained in one county are valid for marriages anywhere in Minnesota, but they cannot be used in other states. . . .
KARE-11 reported that Pipestone County quietly started taking applications on Monday, and one couple applied that day. On Thursday, June 6, Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington Counties took applications, to much media attention.
The Fergus Falls Daily Journal reports in Gay-friendly marriage licenses make debut that loving gay and lesbian couples in Otter Tail County will have to wait a bit to apply for licenses:
. . . In Otter Tail County, same-sex couples will most likely have to wait until July as well.
“I’m planning on going to summer conference next week and asking some of the recorders there about the language they’re using,” said County Recorder Wendy Metcalf.
A number of practical problems have held back changes to the applications. The language used on applications is the biggest issue, and substitutes for phrases like “bride” and “groom” need to be found, according to Metcalf. She will work on those changes after next week’s conference.
The county’s software also needs to be updated. Right now, the county can’t enter licenses earlier because they become official in the system after a mandatory five day waiting period. Same-sex licenses aren’t legal, however, until August 1.
If the software company makes changes to their system and the language is changed, Metcalf said they could start selling them early. Right now, however, she expects it will still be in July. Otter Tail County hasn’t seen the same demand for same-sex licenses like in counties near the metro area.
“I don’t see the rush that we would be needing those applications … We’ve had a few, but we haven’t had that many inquiries,” Metcalf said. “I know we’ll have some, but I don’t see 100 people waiting at our door on August 1.”
Oh, microaggression much?
Kudoes to Pipestone County for being able to figure this out by last Monday even before the Cities, and Blue Earth, Brown, Nicollet, Renville and Sibley Counties to keep up with the metro by being able to accept applications on Thursday.
Photo: A wedding cake topper.
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