Thursday, July 31, 2008

1913 Law Repealed

Within the past hour, Gov. Patrick signed S.800 repealing the 1913 law (MGL c.207, s.11-12) that barred couples from marrying in Massachusetts if that marriage was prohibited in their home state. The law had stopped same-sex couples from nearly all other states from marrying here. Because the bill included an emergency preamble, same-sex couples from other states can begin marrying in Massachusetts immediately. Well, almost immediately. There is a three-day waiting period in Massachusetts (MGL c.207, s.19) which can be waived in some circumstances (MGL c.207, s.30). See Mass. Law About Marriage for links to more information and forms.