Married moms OK on birth certificates in Maryland

Associated Press//February 11, 2011//

Two women can now be named as mothers on birth certificates without a court order in Maryland.

In a letter to birth registrars on Thursday, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene states that beginning no later than March 1, a woman can be named as a parent of a child born to her same-sex spouse. Previously, a same-sex female spouse had to obtain a court order to be named as a parent.

If a woman who delivers a child indicates that she is married, then registrars will enter that spouse’s information into the vital records system, regardless of gender.

The change is a response to Attorney General Doug Gansler’s opinion last year that state agencies should recognize out-of-state gay marriages until the Legislature or courts decide otherwise. Maryland law defines marriage as between a man and woman.

Tags: maryland, gay marriage, same-sex, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, woman, moms, parent, marriage

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