Gay couples seeking marriage in Indiana could be charged

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Same-sex couples applying for a marriage license in Indiana could face a charge of perjury simply for submitting the application to their county clerk.

Tippecanoe County Clerk Christa Coffey tells WLFI-TV that marriage applicants sign their paperwork under penalty of perjury, so if they knowingly make a false statement, they can be charged with perjury. That’s a Class D felony carrying a possible penalty of six months to three years in jail and a possible fine of up to $10,000.

Currently the state’s electronic marriage license application specifically designates “male applicant” and “female applicant” sections for gathering required background information. Coffey says that means if two men or two women applied for a marriage license, one of them would commit perjury.

Gay advocates say the law isn’t fair.