Legally Married Same-Sex Couples Struggle To Make Name Change

Legally Married Same-Sex Couples 
Struggle To Make Name Change

LANSING - On March 22, 2014, County offices such as Ingham County, Washtenaw County, Oakland County and Muskegon County clerk offices opened their doors to issue same-sex marriage licenses after a Michigan Judge lifted the same-sex marriage ban.

Fifty-seven marriage licenses were issued in Ingham county as part of the 323 total that were issued in the State of Michgan.

Michigan recently announced that they will not be recognizing those marriages that were performed on Saturday.

As a result of this, same-sex couples that were legally married on Saturday are already running into problems as simple as changing their last name to follow the marriage process of their significant other.

The first person to perform these marriage ceremonies was Ingham County Clerk, Barb Byrum. She said being able to do this was an honor.

"Usually when people get married their first step is to the social security administrative office, the federal government, you take your marriage license, your birth certificate, your drivers license, you social security card, and change your name," Clerk Byrum said. "I have gotten reports that that has not been permitted."

According to Clerk Byrum, those couples trying to receive the same healthcare benefits through employers has also become an uprising issue.

Equality Michigan has set up a petition on their website in order for individuals to sign, asking Governor Snyder and Attorney General Schuette to drop the appeal against marriage equality in Michigan.

Additional Resources
You can visit the website by going to: http://www.equalitymi.org

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