Town prepares for same sex marriage

Richard Tedesco

The Town of North Hempstead is preparing for a very high demand for marriage license applications and wedding ceremonies following the state’s passage of legislation allowing same-sex couples to marry.

“I have a feeling that because of our proximity to the city we’re going to get a lot of people,” said Town Clerk Leslie Gross, who also the town’s chief marriage officer. “A lot of people have been waiting for a long time and I anticipate we’re going to have a lot of people that want to get married right away.”

Gross said couples will be able to apply for marriage licenses beginning Sunday, July 24, the date the law goes into effect. She said she is considering opening the town offices in Manhasset that Sunday to accommodate the pent-up demand among New York State residents who have been waiting for a change in the law.

“We’ve had inquiries through the years,” said Gross, who noted that the town has been fielding phone calls from people seeking information.

Details of required documents needed to obtain a license are available on the town’s Web site at www.northhempsteadny.gov.

She said that people applying for a marriage license must present original copies of their birth certificates and a photo identification. In cases of residents who were born abroad, they must provide copies of documentation translated into English.

Gross said couples are also interviewed, a process that typically takes 15 minutes.

By New York State law, there is a 24-hour waiting period after the license is granted before Gross or someone else can then perform the marriage ceremony.

“It’s not like you just come in and we give it to you,” Gross said.

The clerk’s office currently maintains extended hours on Wednesday nights until 7 p.m., which will likely be extended each week to cope with the demand Gross anticipates. Gross said her office will be making appointments during those hours, although she said couples without appointments would be accommodated if possible.

The town has no plans to add temporary staff to assist the three employees who are authorized to record marriage licenses in the town database, Gross said.

Gross said she’s looking forward to issuing the licenses and performing the wedding ceremonies. Couples only need to obtain the licenses from the town and can make separate arrangements for the ceremonies.

“I am looking forward to it and I do believe that people have the right to be with whoever they love in a committed relationship,” Gross said.

Gross said she is authorized to perform wedding ceremonies anywhere in the Town of North Hempstead, and she said she currently performs an average of four ceremonies weekly on Friday nights.

The Town of North Hempstead actually undertook its own initiative to enable people to form legal bonds prior to the passage of the state legislation.

Seven years ago, the North Hempstead Town Board voted unanimously to introduce legislation – authored by then town councilman and now Nassau County Legislator Wayne Wink – giving assistance to both heterosexual and same-sex couples to provide evidence of a relationship for health and other such benefits.

“It is heartening to see our state evolving in favor of the civil rights of all our residents,” Legislator Wink said. “The Domestic Partnership Registry, while still helpful will now no longer serve as the only avenue for couples to evidence their loving, committed relationships. And that is a wonderful thing.”

The anticipated spike in marriages this summer is expected to bring a bump in business for local restaurants.

“We expect our private function business at Louie’s to increase by at least 5 percent with additional rehearsal dinners, weddings and anniversaries,” said Marty Picone, co-owner of Louie’s Oyster Bar & Grill in Port Washington.

As part of the effort to promote North Hempstead’s local businesses, the town’s Business, Tourism and Development Corporation will be creating a wedding business directory for prospective couples. The directory will include a listing of wedding facilities, catering halls, restaurants, florists and other local businesses that can assist with wedding planning.

“We expect a financial uptick in North Hempstead as a result of the new marriage equality law,” said Ian Siegel, executive director of the Business, Tourism and Development Corporation. “This is perfect opportunity to attract business to North Hempstead and showcase the many wonderful businesses and locations we have to hold your wedding or get married. You want to get married in North Hempstead. “

For more information call the Town of North Hempstead Registrars Office at 516-869-7652 or 311 or visit www.northhempsteadny.gov.

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