Brookhaven, Islip Town Clerks Prepare for Same-Sex Marriages

Islip and Brookhaven officials continue to prepare to accommodate same-sex couples who plan to tie the knot once the state's marriage equality law takes effect on Sunday, July 24.

The Brookhaven Town Clerk's office in Farmingville will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Two judges have volunteered their time to waive the 24-hour waiting period for any couple who may want to get married on that day.

Brookhaven Town Clerk Patricia Eddington told The News yesterday afternoon that 31 couples have indicated they plan to either apply for a marriage license or tie the knot on Sunday. She said she expects other couples may opt to return to her office on Monday, July 25. "It's totally up to the people," said Eddington. "I decided to open the clerk's office on Sunday because it's the first day the legislation becomes law."

In neighboring Islip, Town Clerk Regina Duffy said her office has received "tons and tons of calls" from couples who plan to take advantage of the state's new marriage equality law. Her office will not be open on Sunday, but she said she has extra staff on hand to accommodate those who may want to get married.

Duffy added she plans to officiate the first same-sex wedding in her office herself on Friday, July 29, the first day Islip will marry couples after the law takes effect.

"I'd like to do the first one myself to kind of lead by example," she said. "I've written the vows to personalize them. I wanted them to be a little bit nicer. I'm looking forward to it."

The Brookhaven Town Clerk's office (One Independence Hill, Farmingville) is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday and from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday. The Islip Town Clerk's office (655 Main St., Islip) is open 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on other weekdays.