"Spouse." It's a word that's making a big difference in marriage licenses across Virginia.
With yesterday's Supreme Court ruling, courthouses across Hampton Roads are figuring out how to make their certificates same-sex friendly.
In Virginia Beach, eight-same sex couples have requested licenses. That means eight separate times, the clerks in circuit court have had to custom-make their paperwork.
In a column, it used to say "bride and groom." Now, the clerks are using white-out, and re-typing it to read "spouse and spouse."
Right next to the word "spouse," a clerk will type in each person's sex. This could go on for another 30 days until updated paperwork is sent to the courthouse.
But Norfolk was ahead of the game. They already had same-sex certificates ready a month ago, and started using them at 1:00pm yesterday.
The word "spouse" is the big difference, instead of bride or groom. Also, there's a box asking for the person's sex.
In Chesapeake, a clerk says they're using an online system that's already prepped for same-sex couples.
