The Native American Suquamish Tribe of Washington State approved Same-Sex Marriage on Monday, Aug 1, 2011 for members of its tribe. The new law allows the tribal court to issue a marriage license to two unmarried people, regardless of their sex, if they’re at least 18 years old and at least one of them is enrolled in the tribe.
It will be up to other courts to decide if unions granted under the Suquamish ordinance will be recognized elsewhere in Washington, said the tribe’s attorney, Michelle Hansen.
* UPDATE: On Wednesday, Feb 8, 2012 the state of Washington voted to approve gay marriage setting the stage for the state to become the seventh in the nation to allow same-sex couples to wed. The Governor signed the bill on Monday, Feb 13, 2012. Marriages can start taking place in 90 days unless a referendum by voters is forced, which has been filed and signatures must be collected by June 6.
OFFICIANTS
Allen Greenky, J.P.Weddings
Tacoma South Sound area Officiant, former Deputy Commissioner of Marriage in CA now offering the same style service in WA
An Event To Remember
Rev. Johanna Respini – Serving all of Oregon and SW Washington
The Marriage Mate
Weddings, Commitments, Renewals, Serving Northern Washington State.
Uniquely, I Do
Rev. Stacey K. Miles, local to Tri-Cities, WA, serving all of WA, OR & beyond
Walla Walla Weddings / Debora Garner Andrews, Officiant
Non-Denominational Wedding Officiant Serving Eastern Washington and North Eastern Oregon.
Weddings by Donna (Western Washington)
Non Denominational Wedding Minister Serving Western Washington
RCW 26.04.050 Persons Authorized to Perform Marriages
State law prescribes who can perform a marriage ceremony: active and retired Supreme Court justices, Court of Appeals judges, Superior Court judges, Superior Court commissioners, and judges of courts of limited jurisdiction, as well as any regularly licensed or ordained minister or priest of any church or religious denomination. See RCW 26.04.050 for a complete list.
Ministers from any state may perform marriage ceremonies, but the ceremony must be performed in the State of Washington. Neither the bride nor the groom may perform the ceremony.