Marriage State by State Analysis
Alabama
Constitutional Amendment 774
http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/Constitution/1901/Constitution
1901_toc.htm
(a) This amendment shall be known and may be cited as the Sanctity of Marriage
Amendment.
(b) Marriage is inherently a unique relationship between a man and a woman. As
a matter of public policy, this state has a special interest in encouraging,
supporting, and protecting this unique relationship in order to promote, among
other goals, the stability and welfare of society and its children. A marriage
contracted between individuals of the same sex is invalid in this state.
(c) Marriage is a sacred covenant, solemnized between a man and a woman,
which, when the legal capacity and consent of both parties is present, establishes
their relationship as husband and wife, and which is recognized by the state as a
civil contract.
(d) No marriage license shall be issued in the State of Alabama to parties of the
same sex.
(e) The State of Alabama shall not recognize as valid any marriage of parties of
the same sex that occurred or was alleged to have occurred as a result of the law
of any jurisdiction regardless of whether a marriage license was issued.
(f) The State of Alabama shall not recognize as valid any common law marriage
of parties of the same sex.
(g) A union replicating marriage of or between persons of the same sex in the
State of Alabama or in any other jurisdiction shall be considered and treated in all
respects as having no legal force or effect in this state and shall not be recognized
by this state as a marriage or other union replicating marriage.
Alaska
Article 1, Section 25 of the Alaska State Constitution
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/cgi-
bin/folioisa.dll/acontxt/query=*/doc/%7B@21%7D?
“Section 1.25 - Marriage.
To be valid or recognized in this State, a marriage may exist only between one
man and one woman.”
Arizona
No Defense of Marriage Amendment
Arizona Code, Title 25-125
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/search/oop/qfullhit.asp?CiWebHitsFile=/ars/25/0012
5.htm&CiRestriction=marriage&CiBeginHilite=%3Cb%3E&CiEndHilite=%3C/b
%3E&CiHiliteType=Full
“A valid marriage is contracted by a male person and a female person with a
proper marriage license who participate in a ceremony conducted by and in the
presence of a person who is authorized to solemnize marriages and at which at
least two witnesses who are at least eighteen years of age participate.”
Arkansas
Constitution of the State of Arkansas, Amendment 83, Sections 1-3
http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/ar-constitution/arcamend83/arcamend83.htm
Ҥ 1. Marriage consists only of the union of one man and one woman.
§ 2. Legal status for unmarried persons which is identical or substantially similar
to marital status shall not be valid or recognized in Arkansas, except that the
legislature may recognize a common law marriage from another state between a
man and a woman.
§ 3. The legislature has the power to determine the capacity of persons to marry,
subject to this amendment, and the legal rights, obligations, privileges, and
immunities of marriage.”
California
California Family Code, Section 300
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-
bin/waisgate?WAISdocID=30033129601+2+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve
“Marriage is a personal relation arising out of a civil contract between a man and
a woman, to which the consent of the parties capable of making that contract is
necessary. Consent alone does not constitute marriage. Consent must be
followed by the issuance of a license and solemnization as authorized by this
division, except as provided by Section 425 and Part 4 (commencing with Section
500).”
Colorado
Colorado Constitution, Article II, Section 31
“Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a
marriage in this state.”
Colorado Code, Section 14-2-104
http://198.187.128.12/colorado/lpext.dll/Infobase4/22f84/22fbf/22fc1/22fe9/2300
c?f=templates&fn=fs-main-doc.htm&q=marriage&x=Advanced&2.0#LPHit1
“(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, a marriage is
valid in this state if:
(a) It is licensed, solemnized, and registered as provided in this part 1; and
(b) It is only between one man and one woman.”
Connecticut:
None
Delaware
Delaware Code Title 13, Chapter 1, Subchapter 1, Section 101
http://delcode.delaware.gov/title13/c001/sc01/index.shtml
“(a) A marriage is prohibited and void between a person and his or her ancestor,
descendant, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, first cousin or between
persons of the same gender.”
Florida
Anticipated for 2008 Ballot: Florida Marriage Protection Amendment
http://election.dos.state.fl.us/initiatives/fulltext/pdf/41550-1.pdf
“Inasmuch as marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as
husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the
substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized.”
Georgia
Georgia State Constitution: Article I, Section IV
http://sos.georgia.gov/ELECTIONS/constitution_2007.pdf
“(a) This state shall recognize as marriage only the union of man and woman.
Marriages between persons of the same sex are prohibited in this state.
(b) No union between persons of the same sex shall be recognized by this state as
entitled to the benefits of marriage. This state shall not give effect to any public
act, record, or judicial proceeding of any other state or jurisdiction respecting a
relationship between persons of the same sex that is treated as a marriage under
the laws of such other state or jurisdiction. The courts of this state shall have no
jurisdiction to grant a divorce or separate maintenance with respect to any such
relationship or otherwise to consider or rule on any of the parties respective rights
arising as a result of or in connection with such relationship.”
Hawaii:
Article 1, Section 23 of the Hawaii State Constitution:
http://www.hawaii.gov/lrb/con/conart1.html
“The legislature shall have the power to reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples.
[Add HB 117 (1997) and election Nov 3, 1998]”
Idaho
Constitution of the State of Idaho: Article III, Section 28
http://www3.state.id.us/cgi-bin/constretr?sctid=003030328.K
“A marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that
shall be valid or recognized in this state.”
Idaho Statutes: Title 32, Chapter 2
http://www3.state.id.us/cgi-bin/newidst?sctid=320020001.K
“Marriage is a personal relation arising out of a civil contract between a man and
a woman, to which the consent of parties capable of making it is necessary.”
Illinois
Illinois Compiled Statutes. Chapter 750-5, Part II, Section 212
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=075000050HPt%2E+II&
ActID=2086&ChapAct=750%26nbsp%3BILCS%26nbsp%3B5%2F&ChapterID
=59&ChapterName=FAMILIES&SectionID=63066&SeqStart=2700&SeqEnd=5
600&ActName=Illinois+Marriage+and+Dissolution+of+Marriage+Act%2E
“(a) The following marriages are prohibited:
(5) a marriage between 2 individuals of the same sex.”
Indiana
Indiana Code, Title 31, Article 11, Chapter 1, Section 1
http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title31/ar11/ch1.html
“(a) Only a female may marry a male. Only a male may marry a female.
(b) A marriage between persons of the same gender is void in Indiana even if the
marriage is lawful in the place where it is solemnized.”
Iowa
Iowa Code. Chapter 595, Section 2
http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-
ICE/default.asp?category=billinfo&service=IowaCode
“1.) Only a marriage between a male and a female is valid.”
Kansas
Constitution of the State of Kansas, Article 15 Section 16
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/KSL/ref/constitution/art15.html
“(a) The marriage contract is to be considered in law as a civil contract. Marriage
shall be constituted by one man and one woman only. All other marriages are
declared to be contrary to the public policy of this state and are void.
(b) No relationship, other than a marriage, shall be recognized by the state as
entitling the parties to the rights or incidents of marriage.”
Kentucky
Kentucky Constitution, Section 233A
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Legresou/Constitu/233A.htm
“Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized
as a marriage in Kentucky. A legal status identical or substantially similar to that
of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized.”
Kentucky Revised Statutes, 402.005
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/KRS/402-00/005.PDF
As used and recognized in the law of the Commonwealth, "marriage" refers only
to the civil status, condition, or relation of one (1) man and one (1) woman united
in law for life, for the discharge to each other and the community of the duties
legally incumbent upon those whose association is founded on the distinction of
sex.”
Kentucky Revised Statutes, 402.020
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/KRS/402-00/020.PDF
“Marriage is prohibited and void…between members of the same sex.”
Louisiana
State Constitution of Louisiana, Article XII, Section 15
http://senate.legis.state.la.us/Documents/Constitution/Article12.htm#%A715.%A0
%A0Defense%20of%20Marriage
“Marriage in the state of Louisiana shall consist only of the union of one man and
one woman. No official or court of the state of Louisiana shall construe this
constitution or any state law to require that marriage or the legal incidents thereof
be conferred upon any member of a union other than the union of one man and
one woman. A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for
unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized. No official or court of the
state of Louisiana shall recognize any marriage contracted in any other
jurisdiction which is not the union of one man and one woman.”
Maine
Maine Statutes. Title 19-A, Part 2, Chapter 23, Section 650
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/19-A/title19-Asec650.html
“A. The union of one man and one woman joined in traditional monogamous
marriage is of inestimable value to society; the State has a compelling interest to
nurture and promote the unique institution of traditional monogamous marriage in
the support of harmonious families and the physical and mental health of children;
and that the State has the compelling interest in promoting the moral values
inherent in traditional monogamous marriage.”
Maine Statutes. Title 19-A, Part 2, Chapter 23, Section 701
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/19-A/title19-Asec701.html
“Prohibited marriages; exceptions
1. Marriage out of State to evade law. When residents of this State, with intent to
evade this section and to return and reside here, go into another state or country to
have their marriage solemnized there and afterwards return and reside here, that
marriage is void in this State
1-A. Certain marriages performed in another state not recognized in this State.
Any marriage performed in another state that would violate any provisions of
subsections 2 to 5 if performed in this State is not recognized in this State and is
considered void if the parties take up residence in this State
5. Same sex marriage prohibited. Persons of the same sex may not contract
marriage.”
Maryland
Maryland Statutes Family Law § 2-201
http://mlis.state.md.us/cgi-win/web_statutes.exe
Only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid in this State.
Maryland Statutes Family Law § 2-502
http://mlis.state.md.us/cgi-win/web_statutes.exe
(a) In this section, "foreign marriage" means a marriage ceremony:
(1) performed outside this State; and
(2) in which 1 or both of the parties were or are citizens of this State.
(b) Each clerk shall keep a foreign marriage record book in the clerk's office. The
clerk shall record a foreign marriage when presented with either:
(1) a certificate of marriage signed by the individual who performed the marriage
ceremony; or
(2) an official certified copy of a marriage record.
(c) On request, the clerk shall provide, under the seal of the court, certification of
a foreign marriage in the same manner as the clerk issues certification of a
marriage ceremony performed in this State.
Massachusetts
Same sex marriage is legal
Michigan
Constitution of Michigan, Article 1 Section 25
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(kkos1o3cgvzkgz2ebgqqomnz))/mileg.aspx?pag
e=getObject&objectName=mcl-Article-I-25
“To secure and preserve the benefits of marriage for our society and for future
generations of children, the union of one man and one woman in marriage shall be
the only agreement recognized as a marriage or similar union for any purpose.”
Michigan Revised Statutes, Section 551.1
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(n5wjmc450ltfoqnjjwnyrw45))/mileg.aspx?page
=getobject&objectname=mcl-551-
1&queryid=18542883&highlight=marriage%20AND%20man%20AND%20wom
an
“Marriage is inherently a unique relationship between a man and a woman. As a
matter of public policy, this state has a special interest in encouraging, supporting,
and protecting that unique relationship in order to promote, among other goals,
the stability and welfare of society and its children. A marriage contracted
between individuals of the same sex is invalid in this state.”
Minnesota
A Constitutional Amendment has been proposed:
http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbill.php?bill=S3500.0.html&session=ls
84
Minnesota State Statutes 517.01
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Family/Marriage50/Minnesota.cfm?StateID=23
“Marriage a civil contract. Marriage, so far as its validity in law is concerned, is a
civil contract between a man and a woman, to which the consent of the parties,
capable in law of contracting, is essential. Lawful marriage may be contracted
only between persons of the opposite sex and only when a license has been
obtained as provided by law and when the marriage is contracted in the presence
of two witnesses and solemnized by one authorized, or whom one or both of the
parties in good faith believe to be authorized, so to do. Marriages subsequent to
April 26, 1941, not so contracted shall be null and void.”
Mississippi
Mississippi Code, § 93-1-1
http://michie.com/mississippi/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm&cp=
“Any marriage between persons of the same gender is prohibited and null and
void from the beginning. Any marriage between persons of the same gender that
is valid in another jurisdiction does not constitute a legal or valid marriage in
Mississippi.”
Mississippi Constitution, Article 14, Section 263A
http://michie.com/mississippi/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm&cp=
“Marriage may take place and may be valid under the laws of this State only
between a man and a woman. A marriage in another State or foreign jurisdiction
between persons of the same gender, regardless of when the marriage took place,
may not be recognized in this State and is void and unenforceable under the laws
of this State.”
Missouri
Missouri Constitution, Article I, Section 33
http://www.moga.mo.gov/const/A01033.HTM
“That to be valid and recognized in this state, a marriage shall exist only between
a man and a woman.”
Missouri Revised Statutes, Section 451.022
http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/c400-499/4510000022.htm
“1. It is the public policy of this state to recognize marriage only between a man
and a woman.
2. Any purported marriage not between a man and a woman is invalid.
3. No recorder shall issue a marriage license, except to a man and a woman.
4. A marriage between persons of the same sex will not be recognized for any
purpose in this state even when valid where contracted.”
Montana
Montana Constitution, Article XIII, Section 7
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/mca/Constitution/XIII/7.htm
“Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized
as a marriage in this state.”
Nebraska
Nebraska State Constitution, Article I-29
http://uniweb.legislature.ne.gov/legaldocs/view.php?page=c0101029000
“Only marriage between a man and a woman shall be valid or recognized in
Nebraska. The uniting of two persons of the same sex in a civil union, domestic
partnership, or other similar same-sex relationship shall not be valid or recognized
in Nebraska.”
Nevada
Nevada State Constitution, Article 1, Section 21
http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Const/NvConst.html#Art1Sec21
“Sec: 21. Limitation on recognition of marriage. Only a marriage between a
male and female person shall be recognized and given effect in this state.
[Added in 2002. Proposed by initiative petition and approved and ratified by the people at the 2000 and 2002 general
elections.]”
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Revised Statutes Chapter 457
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/xliii/457/457-mrg.htm
§ 1. Marriages Prohibited
Men. - No man shall marry his mother, his father's sister, mother's sister,
daughter, sister, son's daughter, daughter's daughter, brother's daughter, sister's
daughter, father's brother's daughter, mother's brother's daughter, father's sister's
daughter, mother's sister's daughter, or any other man.
§ 2. Marriages Prohibited
Women. - No woman shall marry her father, her father's brother, mother's brother,
son, brother, son's son, daughter's son, brother's son, sister's son, father's brother's
son, mother's brother's son, father's sister's son, mother's sister's son, or any other
woman.
§ 3. Recognition of Out-of-State Marriages
Every marriage legally contracted outside the state of New Hampshire, which
would not be prohibited under RSA 457:1 or RSA 457:2 if contracted in New
Hampshire, shall be recognized as valid in this state for all purposes if or once the
contracting parties are or become permanent residents of this state subsequent to
such marriage, and the issue of any such marriage shall be legitimate. Marriages
legally contracted outside the state of New Hampshire which would be prohibited
under RSA 457:1 or RSA 457:2 if contracted in New Hampshire shall not be
legally recognized in this state. Any marriage of New Hampshire residents
recognized as valid in the state prior to the effective date of this section shall
continue to be recognized as valid on or after the effective date of this section.
New Jersey
None
New Mexico
None
New York
None
North Carolina
North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 51. Marriage. Article 1.
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByChapter/Chapt
er_51.html
Ҥ 51-1. Requisites of marriage; solemnization. A valid and sufficient marriage is
created by the consent of a male and female person who may lawfully marry,
presently to take each other as husband and wife, freely, seriously and plainly
expressed by each in the presence of the other, either: (1) a. In the presence of an
ordained minister of any religious denomination, a minister authorized by a
church, or a magistrate; and b. With the consequent declaration by the minister or
magistrate that the persons are husband and wife; or (2) In accordance with any
mode of solemnization recognized by any religious denomination, or federally or
State recognized Indian Nation or Tribe.
§ 51-1.2. Marriages between persons of the same gender not valid. Marriages,
whether created by common law, contracted, or performed outside of North
Carolina, between individuals of the same gender are not valid in North
Carolina.”
North Dakota
North Dakota Constitution, Article 11, Section 28
http://www.legis.nd.gov/constitution/const.pdf
“Marriage consists only of the legal union between a man and a woman. No other
domestic union, however denominated, may be recognized as a marriage or given
the same or substantially equivalent legal effect.”
North Dakota Century Code. Chap. 14, § 03.
http://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t14c03.pdf
§ 03-01. What constitutes marriage - Spouse defined.
Marriage is a personal relation arising out of a civil contract between one man and
one woman to which the consent of the parties is essential. The marriage relation
may be entered into, maintained, annulled, or dissolved only as provided by law.
A spouse refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife.
§ 03-08. Foreign marriages recognized - Exception.
Except when residents of this state contract a marriage in another state which is
prohibited under the laws of this state, all marriages contracted outside this state,
which are valid according to the laws of the state or country where contracted, are
valid in this state. This section applies only to a marriage contracted in another
state or country which is between one man and one woman as husband and wife.
Ohio
Ohio Constitution, Article 15 Section 11
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/constitution.cfm?Part=15&Section=11
“Only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or
recognized by this state and its political subdivisions. This state and its political
subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of
unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities,
significance or effect of marriage.”
Ohio Revised Code, 3101.01
http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/3101.01
“(1) Any marriage between persons of the same sex is against the strong public
policy of this state. Any marriage between persons of the same sex shall have no
legal force or effect in this state and, if attempted to be entered into in this state, is
void ab initio and shall not be recognized by this state.
(2) Any marriage entered into by persons of the same sex in any other jurisdiction
shall be considered and treated in all respects as having no legal force or effect in
this state and shall not be recognized by this state.
(3) The recognition or extension by the state of the specific statutory benefits of a
legal marriage to nonmarital relationships between persons of the same sex or
different sexes is against the strong public policy of this state. Any public act,
record, or judicial proceeding of this state, as defined in section 9.82 of the
Revised Code, that extends the specific statutory benefits of legal marriage to
nonmarital relationships between persons of the same sex or different sexes is
void ab initio. Nothing in division (C)(3) of this section shall be construed to do
either of the following:
(a) Prohibit the extension of specific benefits otherwise enjoyed by all persons,
married or unmarried, to nonmarital relationships between persons of the same
sex or different sexes, including the extension of benefits conferred by any statute
that is not expressly limited to married persons, which includes but is not limited
to benefits available under Chapter 4117. of the Revised Code;
(b) Affect the validity of private agreements that are otherwise valid under the
laws of this state.”
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State Constitution, Section II-35
http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/
“A. Marriage in this state shall consist only of the union of one man and one
woman. Neither this Constitution nor any other provision of law shall be construed
to require that marital status or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon
unmarried couples or groups.
B. A marriage between persons of the same gender performed in another state shall
not be recognized as valid and binding in this state as of the date of the marriage.
C. Any person knowingly issuing a marriage license in violation of this section
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.”
Oregon
Oregon Constitution, Article XV, Section 5a
http://www.leg.state.or.us/orcons/orcons.html
“It is the policy of Oregon, and its political subdivisions, that only a marriage
between one man and one woman shall be valid or legally recognized as a
marriage.”
Oregon passed HB 2007 (Effective Date: January 1, 2008), which established a
domestic partnership system. The text of the bill may be found here:
http://landru.leg.state.or.us/07reg/measures/hb2000.dir/hb2007.en.html
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Statutes. Title 23, Chapter 17, Section 1704.
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Family/Marriage50/Pennsylvania.cfm?StateID
=38
It is hereby declared to be the strong and longstanding public policy of this
Commonwealth that marriage shall be between one man and one woman. A
marriage between persons of the same sex which was entered into in another state
or foreign jurisdiction, even if valid where entered into, shall be void in this
Commonwealth.
Rhode Island
None
South Carolina
South Carolina Constitution, Article XVII, Section 15
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Family/Marriage50/South_Carolina.cfm
“A marriage between one man and one woman is the only lawful domestic union
that shall be valid or recognized in this State. This State and its political
subdivisions shall not create a legal status, right or claim respecting any other
domestic union, however denominated. This State and its political subdivisions
shall not recognize or give effect to a legal status, right or claim created by
another jurisdiction respecting any other domestic union, however denominated.
Nothing in this section shall impair any right or benefit extended by the State or
its political subdivisions other than a right or benefit arising from a domestic
union that is not valid or recognized in this State. This section shall not prohibit or
limit parties, other than the State or its political subdivisions, from entering into
contracts or other legal instruments.”
South Carolina Code of Laws. Title 20, Chapter 1, Section 15
http://www.scstatehouse.net/code/t20c001.htm
“A marriage between persons of the same sex is void ab initio and against the
public policy of this State.”
South Dakota
South Dakota Constitution, Article XXI, Section 9
http://legis.state.sd.us/statutes/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=0N-
21-9
“Only a marriage between a man and woman shall be valid or recognized in South
Dakota. The uniting of two or more persons in a civil union, domestic partnership,
or other quasi-marital relationship shall not be valid or recognized in South
Dakota.”
South Dakota Statutes, Title 25, Chapter 1, Section 1
“Marriage is a personal relation, between a man and a woman, arising out of a
civil contract to which the consent of parties capable of making it is necessary.
Consent alone does not constitute a marriage; it must be followed by a
solemnization.”
Tennessee
Constitution of the state of Tennessee, Article XI, Section 18
“The historical institution and legal contract solemnizing the relationship of one
man and one woman shall be the only legally recognized marital contract in this
state. Any policy or law or judicial interpretation purporting to define marriage as
anything other than the historical institution and legal contract between one man
and one woman is contrary to the public policy of this state and shall be void and
unenforceable in Tennessee. If another state or foreign jurisdiction issues a license
for persons to marry and if such marriage is prohibited in this state by the
provisions of this section, then the marriage shall be void and unenforceable in
this state.”
Texas
Texas Constitution, Article 1, Section 32
http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/txconst/sections/cn000100-003200.html
(a) Marriage in this state shall consist only of the union of one man and one
woman.
(b) This state or a political subdivision of this state may not create or recognize
any legal status identical or similar to marriage.
Utah
Utah Constitution, Article I Section 29
http://www.livepublish.le.state.ut.us/lpBin22/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-
j.htm&2.0
(1) Marriage consists only of the legal union between a man and a woman.
(2) No other domestic union, however denominated, may be recognized as a
marriage or given the same or substantially equivalent legal effect.
Utah Code, 30-1-2
http://www.livepublish.le.state.ut.us/lpBin22/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-
j.htm&2.0
“The following marriages are prohibited and declared void…[marriages] between
persons of the same sex.”
Vermont
Vermont Statutes, Title 15, Chapter 1, Section 8.
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/statutes/fullsection.cfm?Title=15&Chapter=001&Secti
on=00008
“Marriage is the legally recognized union of one man and one woman.”
Virginia
Virginia Constitution, Article 1, Section 15-A
“That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in
or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions. This
Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal
status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the
design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this
Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union,
partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits,
obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage.”
Washington
Revised Code of Washington 26.04.010
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Family/Marriage50/Washington.cfm?StateID=
47
Marriage contract -- Void marriages. (1) Marriage is a civil contract between a
male and a female who have each attained the age of eighteen years, and who are
otherwise capable. RCW 26.04.020 (c) When the parties are persons other than a
male and a female. (3) A marriage between two persons that is recognized as
valid in another jurisdiction is valid in this state only if the marriage is not
prohibited or made unlawful under subsection (1)(a), (1)(c), or (2) of this section.
West Virginia
West Virignia Code 48-2-603
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Family/Marriage50/West_Virginia.cfm?Stat
eID=48
Certain acts, records, and proceedings not to be given effect in this state. A public
act, record or judicial proceeding of any other state, territory, possession or tribe
respecting a relationship between persons of the same sex that is treated as a
marriage under the laws of the other state, territory, possession, or tribe, or a right
or claim arising from such relationship, shall not be given effect by this state.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Constitution, Section 13 of Article XIII
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/05JR-030.pdf
“Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized
as a marriage in this state. A legal status identical or substantially similar to that
of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized in this
state.”
Wyoming
Wyoming Statutes 20-1-101
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Family/Marriage50/Wyoming.cfm?StateID=50
“Marriage is a civil contract between a male and a female person to which the
consent of the parties capable of contracting is essential.”