State issues amended Arkansas birth certificate to same sex couple – first in the state

Civil and family laws and related matters have seen quite a bit of change this year. One very notable event was the recently amended birth certificates issued by the state to same sex couples. This outcome was generated out of a law suit brought about by three couples requesting amended birth certificates to include both of the same sex parents on the birth certificate.

The Health Department issued all three amended birth certificates based on the ruling by the judge. But, the matter may not stop there. The judge also struck down a part of Arkansas’ birth certificate law, which according the plaintiff’s attorney says could clear the way for the issuing of future amended birth certificates. The matter is not officially resolved and implemented, currently.

A Health Department official says they will collect information from other couples seeking birth certificates but are awaiting guidance from the attorney general’s office.

Judd Deere, Communications Director for Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, released the following statement:

“Attorney General Rutledge has advised the Department of Health to follow Judge Fox’s order with regard to amending the birth certificates of the three minors in this case. However, to avoid confusion and uncertainty created by other parts of the order, the Attorney General will ask the Arkansas Supreme Court to stay the decision and will appeal.”

Update: The trial judge’s ruling in this case has been stayed, so it is not enforcable, yet.

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Arkansas issues amended birth certificate to same-sex couple
http://www.thv11.com/story/news/2015/12/01/arkansas-judge-strikes-part-of-birth-certificate-law/76635204/