News

Same-sex marriage applications to be available July 25

Same-sex couples looking to wed in Riverhead Town can fill out marriage applications starting July 25, though they might have to wait until July 28 to tie the knot if they want to do it at Town Hall.

Applications will technically become available statewide Sunday July 24, the first day the Marriage Equality Act goes into effect, though Riverhead Town Hall is closed on Sundays. Some municipalities have said they will open Sunday July 24 to handle the increase in demand.

Same-sex marriage license applications will be available in Riverhead Town Monday July 25.

After a license is issued, there is a state-mandated 24-hour waiting period before a ceremony can be performed. Wedding ceremonies are usually only performed at Riverhead Town Hall on Thursdays for scheduling reasons, according to Town Clerk Diane Wilhelm, so the first day she could perform a same-sex wedding would be July 28.

“To me, it’ s business as usual,” Ms. Wilhelm said. “It’s not different than anybody else.”

Though she would consider performing a ceremony earlier in the week if the couple can prove a scheduling hardship, she said.

“I’ll try to work it in my schedule,” she said.

About seven or eight same-sex couples have expressed interest in getting married in Riverhead Town Hall since the legislation was passed by the New York State Senate June 24, according to Ms. Wilhelm.

[email protected]

Looking to comment on this article? Send us a letter to the editor instead.

Tags