ALBANY, NY – The New York State Health Department today released a new marriage license for the state to recognize same-sex couples, changing the form to have two columns for “bride/groom/ spouse.”

The new marriage licenses – which add the term spouse — will be distributed to town and city clerk offices across the state in advance of the same-sex marriage law taking effect July 24.

Clerks have been awaiting the new forms so they will be ready to process them when the law starts.

The Health Department offered new details today about the marriage license process, explaining the 24-hour waiting period to receive a license in New York.

If a couple gets a license on July 24, they’d have to wait 24 hours to be officially  married.

However, the agency notes that the waiting period may be waived by an order of a Supreme or County Court judge.

But there is no waiting period for a “second or subsequent ceremony” if a couple is already married and wants to renew their vows. The state says the waiting period is lifted for “valid marriages between same-sex couples that have already occurred in other jurisdictions.”

Some same-sex couples in New York have been married in neighboring Massachusetts or Canada, for example. The state in 2008 began recognizing same-sex couples married in other jurisdictions.

“A couple that intends to be married in New York state must apply in person for a marriage license to any town or city clerk in the state outside of New York City,” the Health Department said.

“The application for a license must be signed by both applicants in the presence of the town or city clerk. Arepresentative cannot apply for the license on behalf of either applicant.”

New York City has its own licensing program.