Orlando – The Social Security Administration has issued an update stating that in states where same-sex marriage is legal, SSA offices must allow same-sex married couples to change their names.
Some Orange County couples hit this roadblock in early January, right after same-sex marriage because legal in Florida.
Congressman Alan Grayson (D-FL) sent a letter to Carolyn Colvin, the commissioner of the U.S. Social Security Administration, stating that several couples who went to an Orlando social security office with name change requests after Jan. 6 were told their request was on hold.
“While the local SSA office that processes name changes is accepting applications, several people have been told that their application cannot be processed until the SSA updates its policies and reviews the legal standing of their marriage under Florida law,” Grayson’s letter reads. “If this review is in fact, needed, I urge you to complete it today. Too many Floridians have waited too long to become a family recognized by their own government. They should not have to wait one minute more to have their love acknowledged.”
The new update released by the SSA tells its employees to accept same-sex marriage documents where same-sex marriage is legal, whether or not the couple actually lives in a state where same-sex marriage is recognized. The update also breaks down what those acceptable documents are, state by state.
“Accept marriage documents issued to same-sex couples for marriages that took place on January 05, 2015 or later by jurisdictions (town, county or State) in the State of Florida as evidence of a name change,” is the criteria for Florida.
When asked to comment on the update, Rep. Grayson simply stated, “Love wins — again.”
