Name Changes in New Paltz

In a move that puzzles pretty much all involved, the Social Security Administration is refusing to accept (link via QueerDay) as proof of identity for name change any marriage license issued in New Paltz, NY, and claims that this policy has been in effect since February 27, the date when Mayor Jason West began conducting marriage ceremonies for same sex couples.



SSA spokeswoman Jane Zanca stated that the policy originated with the state of New York allegedly deciding not to recognize any marriage certificates issued in New Paltz as valid documents. Trouble is, no one else seems to recall this decision, no one from the state has yet corroborated the policy, and no marriage licenses or certificates were ever issued to any of the gay couples.



The NY Dept. of Health oversees marriages, and denies every issuing or having knowledge of this "state policy." Same response from the NY Dept. of State, which handles state records. The Town of New Paltz Clerk denies every receiving any information about such a state or federal policy. The Social Security Administration headquarters in Washington, D.C. did not respond to inquiries about the issue.



According to the Social Security Administration's webpage concerning name changes (the link is conveniently placed in the special "For Women" section of the site - why isn't there a comparable "For Men" section on the site? But that's a rant for another time), there's nary a mention of any exclusion on the use of marriage licenses from New Paltz, NY. In fact, a search of the entire SSA site for the word Paltz turned up nothing.



Is this one overzealous SSA beaurocrat overstepping her authority? A simple miscommunication at some level? Are the citizens of New Paltz being singled out because of their many shows of support for the actions of Mayor West and a number of area ministers who performed the ceremonies?