Sex, Gender ID No Longer Required For Somerville Marriage Certificate

SOMERVILLE, MA — The City of Somerville has updated its marriage certification process and no longer requires partners to share their sex or gender identification, Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and City Clerk Kimberly M. Wells announced Thursday.

"The update is part of Somerville’s ongoing commitment to creating a more equitable environment for all residents, and mirrors the recent example set by the City of Boston," Somerville officials said in a news release.

While the application for a marriage license—a form set by the state—will still include a field for gender, applicants may choose to leave the field blank and any information entered into that field will not appear on a Somerville marriage certificate, according to officials.

"At its core, the purpose of a marriage license is to legally bind two individuals in love, regardless of their gender identity or expression," Ballantyne said. "Our city believes in celebrating love in all its forms, and this change reflects our unwavering dedication to creating a Somerville where every resident is treated with the respect and dignity they deserve."

If you are a Somerville resident who has already been given a marriage certificate with a sex or gender identifier and want it reprinted, you can do so by visiting the City Clerk’s office in City Hall, email cityclerksoffice@somervillema.gov, or call (617) 625-6600 x4100, officials said.