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The Trumbull County Probate Court was ready when the Supreme Court ruled Friday to reject Ohio’s 2004 ban and allow same-sex unions anywhere in the country.
“We are here today following the law and ready and able to issue marriage licenses for same-sex couples,” Probate Court Judge Jim Fredericka said.
They even had new forms.
The new application forms, instead of distinguishing bride and groom, say “First Applicant” and “Second Applicant.” There is also new wording on the marriage certificate to omit the abbreviations “Mr.” and “M” before the two lines on which applicants’ names are listed. Now there are just the lines with no prefixes.
“If the Supreme Court had not ruled as they did today, we would continue to do what we had been doing. We had anticipated that they would rule that it was unconstitutional, so we did prepare,” Fredericka said. “We are in the process of changing our website.”
The first same-sex couple to obtain a marriage license in Ohio was Daniel Seifried, 34, and Robert Rivera, 44, of Cleveland Heights. The license was issued at 10:48 a.m. Friday by Cuyahoga County Probate Court.
Supervisor Barbara O’Donnell said the couple had been waiting a long time – around 10 years – to get married.
“Oh, my goodness. They were so happy,” she said.
O’Donnell said the Cuyahoga County Probate Court was also prepared Friday with new forms for same-sex applicants.
By Friday afternoon, their court had issued eight same-sex marriage licenses.
The first same-sex couple to be issued a license in Trumbull County was Barry Tenney, 61, and Larry Carr, 55, of Warren. They applied Friday afternoon.