Arkansas issues amended birth certificate to same-sex couple

December 2, 2015 at 10:49 a.m. | Updated December 2, 2015 at 5:10 p.m.

by The Associated Press

Marisa Pavan, poses Wednesday with daughter Tucker Ruth Pavan, 6 months, and their newly issued amended birth certificate for Tucker Ruth at the Arkansas Vital Records office in Little Rock. Marisa Pavan and wife Terrah Pavan sued to have Marisa’s name added to their daughter’s birth certificate.
Marisa Pavan, poses Wednesday with daughter Tucker Ruth Pavan, 6 months, and their newly issued amended birth certificate for Tucker Ruth at the Arkansas Vital Records office in Little Rock. Marisa Pavan and wife Terrah Pavan sued to have Marisa’s name added to their daughter’s birth certificate.

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas health officials say they'll issue amended birth certificates for the children of three married same-sex couples who sued the state but are holding off on issuing them to other gay couples.

One of the three couples was issued a certificate Wednesday listing both spouses as parents, and a spokesman said the Health Department will issue amended certificates to the other two couples in the case.

A state judge ordered the state Tuesday to issue the amended certificates. He also struck down a portion of the state birth certificate law, a move that the plaintiffs' attorney says clears the way for other same-sex couples to receive amended certificates.

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge's office said Wednesday it's appealing the judge's decision to the state Supreme Court.

Read Thursday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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