Washington State Reveals New Certificate Of Marriage

Washington State Department of Health released a sample form of what the new Washington Certificate of Marriage will look like. This is in anticipation of it being legal for same-sex couples to marry in Washington come December 6, 2012.

Originally the state was going to remove the "Bride" and "Groom" options from the certificate and replace them just with "Spouse". However, many comments made by the public suggested having options so couples could choose what terms they wanted to use. Now, the certificates will still have "Bride" and "Groom" but "Spouse" has been added as well. This way applicants can choose what they prefer, be it "Bride" and "Bride", "Groom" and "Groom", "Spouse" and "Spouse", "Bride" and "Spouse", or "Groom" and "Spouse". Furthermore, the certificate has added the term "Parent" to the terms "Mother" and "Father" of the applicants.

I like the look of the new certificate! It gives every couple the chance to choose what terms they prefer, and, likewise, gives same-sex parents to both be listed on their children's marriage certificates. Seeing the new certificate sample form makes me get even more excited for December 6th!