Arkansas officials want suit tossed over gay spouse on birth certificate

Little Rock, Ark. (AP) — The Arkansas attorney general's office is asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by same-sex couples that seeks to have birth certificates show a spouse who isn't the child's biological parent as a parent.

State lawyers argue in a petition filed Thursday that marriage doesn't convey a right to a parental relationship.

They argue all nonbirth parents, regardless of sexual orientation, have to go through a legal process to be listed on the documents. They contend the state Department of Health is powerless to amend birth certificates outside of legal procedures and court orders.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that the couples sued the agency after it refused their requests to add the other spouse. They say the changes are necessary so a child can qualify for insurance coverage.

Information from: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, AR.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Gayly – August 14, 2015 @ 11:15am.