Has anyone else had problems with marriage licenses...

[Critters2]

in Scott County...or anywhere else?

As many of you know, I traveled to Davenport Saturday with two parishioners, to restate their vows and sign their license. By the time we went, they had had to redo the application twice, because of signatory glitches. Once the recorder said the notary had signed on the wrong line. I can't recall what the second problem was, but when they spoke to the person in the recorder's office the second time, the staff person said they didn't like dealing with Illinois gay/les people and "we're working to get this repealed". But, they finally got the license, we went over, and I signed it.

I've been in ministry for 22 years--23 come, September 14. I spent 6 of those years in Iowa, the rest in Illinois. In all that time, I have never once had a license returned because of a problem with a signature. One time I mailed a license and it never got to the courthouse, but beyond that I've never had an issue. Until now.

The couple called this morning, and said they'd gotten a call from the recorder's office. They need to re-sign the license, because they used their birth names, but intend to hyphenate their names. They argued that, for now, their un-hyphenated names are their legal names, since Illinois won't recognize the marriage. They intend to go through the process of a legal name change, but haven't yet. Otoh, Illinois law says that if you consistently use a name, it becomes your legal name after 7 years. So, the issue could be argued either way, I suppose.

But I don't think I've ever had a recorder (or clerk, who does this job in Illinois) be that careful about a bride's signature. I know for a fact that some brides have signed their married names, some their birth names, some hyphenated names, and no one ever said a word. I was skeptical, at first,
as to whether these women were being hassled because they're both women, but I think I believe it now, and it pisses me off. One of the women said this morning, "we were so pleased that Iowa would do this, but now we're really disappointed in Iowa." I told her I know Iowans who are supportive and proud of the court's decision, and that this is just one or two people who are being pitas.

I'm considering calling Scott County and giving someone a piece of my mind. I'm wondering if you know of others who have had similar experiences.

Thanks for reading.

[Blue Gardener]

1. I haven't heard of any problems

But I'm in Johnson County, so I doubt there would be any problems here. It wouldn't hurt to call Scott County and let them know your thoughts. People can be such assholes to try and ruin what should be a happy occasion.

[Critters2]

2. When we talked this morning, I actually said, "Maybe we should've driven

the extra 1/2 hour to Iowa City. I know they'd have been good to deal with."

Thanks for responding.

[Bluzmann57]

4. Half hour to Iowa City?

Just how fast do you drive anyway?

[Critters2]

5. Okay, 45 minutes

I know I've gotten from Davenport to Iowa City in 45 min. I have a parishioner who did her MA in Iowa City, while living in Ottawa, IL, and insists she could drive the whole distance in 2 hours. Now THAT is a heavy foot!

[Bluzmann57]

3. Well the Scott County Recorder is a Liberal person

And I doubt that she's responsible for any percieved biases against gay marriage. But I suppose that if you'd like to call her, then you will. Her name is Rita Vargas, she's about 5'2" and she is a bundle of energy as well as a damn good Liberal.

[Critters2]

6. I don't think these women actually spoke to the recorder herself,

but to a staff person, or two. I think I am going to call tomorrow. As I say, I've never had to re-sign a license before, so this strikes me as odd.

[Condem]

7. Damn, Critters2.

Next time, make the trip to IC. You can stay with the happyiowan and I. And seventeen felines. Love to have ya.

[petersjo02]

13. That would be "happyiowan and me."

I'm something of a grammar freak. ;-)

[Debi]

9. DOH...I should read responses before posting..

Rita will follow the law and make sure her staff follows the law (no matter their personal opinions). :thumbsup: She rocks!

[Debi]

8. Call the Scott County Recorder directly

Her name is Rita Vargas. Tell her who you talked with (if you recall) and what was said. If the clerk cannot do their job properly then either a different person needs to help you OR the clerk needs to not be working with people. :hug: Good Luck.

[47of74]

10. Reminds me of an old joke

This reminds me a little bit of this old joke,

A couple holding a baby came before a judge one day wanting to get married. They had all the requisite paperwork, which the judge examined. The judge said, "You'll need to have this license notarized first."

So the couple went back down to the recorder's office and got the license notarized by the clerk. They went back upstairs and presented the license to the judge again, who said, "The clerk's signature is in the wrong place."

So it was back down to the recorder's office again to get a corrected license. They went back upstairs to the judge and presented the license to the judge. The judge looked over the license and said, "Everything seems to be in order here. Just one question. Who's the baby? Is that your son?"

When the bride to be answered that it was her son, the judge replied, "Ok. I can still marry you. But be aware that the child will be considered a bastard."

"Funny," the groom to be replied, "but that's what the clerk said you were."

[Debi]

11. !

:thumbsup:

[plantwomyn]

12. We didn't have any problems at all.

We were in Lee county. Ft. Madison's clerk's office was very helpfull, both over the phone and when we picked up our paper work. They notorized and gave us an extra copy . The people were great. The only problem we had was while staying in Montrose we had to listen to the LDS Pagent from across the river. The combination of lights, loud speakers and holly rollers is terrible. The greatest irony is that the house we rented is owned by Mormans! We had our ceremony on their deck under a rainbow canopy and christened their house too! :rofl: