We are planning to join together at the Fresno County Clerk’s office on June 17th at 8AM to request marriage licenses. If you are interested we would love to have you join us. If you aren’t ready to make the leap or just want to support those who are, please come out and join us! Please understand that this date may change depending on the courts. If you plan to attend, please email or call me so I can contact you with up to date information.
If you know of any businesses who would like to support us with items/donations or any gay-friendly clergy members who may be willing to perform ceremonies, also, please contact me. This will be a historic moment in the marriage movement and we want you to be a part of it!
Can you volunteer at our Marriage Equality USA booth at Fresno Rainbow Pride on June 7th? We desperately need help covering our booth to answer questions about our event on June 16th and help spread the word. We will have a table, canopy, etc. but need folks who can help at the booth anytime from 11am to 3pm. If you can help us out, please email or give me a call.
Jason Scott
Fresno County Chapter Leader, Marriage Equality USA
(559) 862-4559
Some important information from NCLR:
1. Can same-sex couples marry in California?
Yes. On May 15, 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that barring same-sex couples from marriage is unconstitutional. Beginning as soon as June 16, same-sex couples will be able to marry in California.
2. Can the court’s decision be appealed?
No. The California Supreme Court has the final say in cases brought under the California Constitution, like this case, and there can be no more appeals.
3. If we’re already in a registered domestic partnership in California, do we have to dissolve our domestic partnership before we can marry?
No. The California domestic partnership statutes permit an individual to be both married and in a registered domestic partnership, so long as it is to the same person. In addition, there may be legal protections that are available through domestic partnership but not through marriage. For example, some states that will not honor marriages of same-sex couples may honor domestic partnerships.
4. Do you have to be a California resident to marry in California?
No. There is no residency requirement to marry in California.
5. What do we have to do to marry in California?
First you need to get a marriage license from the office of the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk of any California county. You can get a license application from most counties’ websites and complete it in advance, or complete it in the county clerk’s office. Both of you must go together to the county office and present a government-issued picture ID and proof that you are over 18 years old. (If either or both is younger than 18, different procedures apply.) You’ll need to pay the license fee ($49 for public license or $69 for private license in Fresno County). The license will be valid for 90 days and your marriage can be performed anywhere in California. Neither a blood test nor a health certificate is required.
6. Who can marry us?
In California, clergy members, active and retired judges and court commissioners, and the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners of Civil Marriages are authorized to perform legal marriages. The Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners of Civil Marriages perform marriage ceremonies by appointment at designated county offices. There is a fee ($21 in Fresno County).
Click here to read full FAQ from NCLR
