For Immediate Release Media Contacts: Collin Nash, Sid Nathan, and Jason Elan
July 19, 2011 (516) 869-7794
North Hempstead to Perform Nuptial on Day One of Same-Sex Marriage Law
Manhasset, NY—
With New York City capping the number of couples who can be wed the first day the state’s gay marriage law takes effect, North Hempstead Clerk Leslie Gross and Town officials announce that they will be available to marry couples from inside and outside the municipality on Sunday, July 24.
New York City officials said they already received more than 2,660 applications for licenses, prompting them to impose a cap at 764 to “avoid chaos” on Sunday.
Those wanting to get married that cannot be accommodated by New York City on Sunday should, “Come next door to North Hempstead to get married,” said Leslie Gross the North Hempstead Town Clerk.
A Supreme Court Justice will be on hand in North Hempstead to provide waivers and perform wedding ceremonies along with Town Clerk Gross for couples who want to exchange their marriage vows on Sunday between the hours of 10AM and 2PM.
Supreme Court Justices are allowed to waive ceremonies on the first day the takes affect in, giving couples the option of bypassing the 24-hour waiting period mandated under the law after they have applied for a license.
North Hempstead will also process marriage license applications on Sunday by appointment only. Please call (516) 869-7652.
Town Clerk Gross, the Town’s chief marriage officer, reminds couples that they can begin to apply for marriage licenses any time from July 24 on. Details of required documents needed to obtain a license are available on the Town’s website at www.northhempsteadny.gov. Town Clerk Gross stressed that there is a 24-hour waiting period after the marriage license is issued.
The Town’s Business and Tourism Business Development Corporation has also added a directory to its website (www.btdc.biz) of wedding related businesses within the town. “We expect increased interest in the many wonderful businesses in the town that provide wedding services,” said Ian Siegel, the agencies Executive Director. “We want to make it easy for visiting couples to find what they need.”