Man wants spouse's death certificate to reflect same sex union

By Associated Press

DALLAS (AP) - A Conroe resident is arguing in federal court that the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark decision recognizing gay marriage means his name should be placed on his spouse's death certificate.

John Stone-Hoskins filed court papers on Wednesday asking a judge to force Texas officials to place his name on the certificate for his husband, James Stone-Hoskins, who died in January. The two were married in New Mexico in 2014.

The certificate listed James Stone-Hoskins as single and recognized his husband as a "significant other." In court papers John Stone-Hoskins says he's facing a terminal illness and wants to settle his estate and have state records recognize his marriage.

The Texas Department of State Health Services says it's reviewing the Supreme Court ruling to determine if changes must be made to death certificate documents.

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