Couples in Virginia will no longer have to disclose race to obtain a marriage license

The change comes after three couples filed a lawsuit calling the requirement "offensive" and "unconstitutional."

Sept. 14, 2019, 5:19 PM EDT
By Minyvonne Burke

People seeking a marriage license in Virginia will no longer have to disclose their race, the state's attorney general said, announcing that he is eliminating the requirement that sparked three couples to file a lawsuit.

Circuit court clerks in the state were notified of the change in an email on Friday, according to the Associated Press.

"These changes will ensure that no Virginian will be forced to label themselves in order to get married," AG Mark Herring said in a statement to the AP. "I appreciate the courage these couples showed in raising this issue, and I wish them all the best in their lives together."

Last week, three couples filed a joint lawsuit in the Eastern District of Virginia calling the statute "offensive," "unconstitutional" and "reflective of a racist past."

One of the couples, Sophie Rogers and her fiancé, Brandyn Churchill, went to the Rockbridge Circuit Court clerk's office for a marriage license ahead of their Oct. 19 wedding and was informed that if they do not disclose their race, they would not receive their license.

-snip-