Female same-sex marriages dominate same-sex marriages on Saipan

Majority of same-sex marriages on Saipan since 2023 were female same-sex marriages, according to the Saipan Mayor’s Office.

The SMO’s marriage coordinator Frank Camacho said from Jan. 1 to June 7, 2024, his office issued marriages licenses to a total of 195 couples, with 83 of them being same-sex and 112 of them being opposite gender. Among the 83 same-sex marriages recorded, 50 were female and 33 were male, and 77 were nonresidents and from China.

In calendar year 2023, there were a total of 118 same-sex marriages with 71 being female and 47 being male. A total of 105 marriages were also for nonresidents couples.

“Many same-sex marriages or any marriages coming from China or like for nonresidents chose Saipan as their marriage destination because of our beautiful beaches and it’s really paradise. You know we have so much that they can see and with the reviews that they get online about Saipan, it’s one of their potential targets to come to Saipan to get married,” said Camacho.

Camacho said that he never encountered any issues or problems in dealing with marriage applications from other countries.

“So far, I’ve never had trouble with off-island marriages requesting, nothing so far. All we do is require them to submit all supporting documents that’s needed including an English translator if they were to apply.”

The current fees for obtaining a marriage license and to hold a ceremony are no different from the opposite gender’s fees which is $75 for the marriage license (resident applicants) and $150 (nonresident applicants). For the marriage ceremony, it’s $30 for residents and $75 for nonresidents.

Same-sex marriage was legalized in the Northern Mariana Island by the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges on June 26, 2015, which struck down same-sex marriage bans nationwide. On June 29, 2015 then governor Eloy S. Inos issued a statement hailing the decision as “historic” and said he would work with the Attorney General and local officials to bring the U.S. territory into compliance.

Attorney General Edward Manibusan issued a memorandum on June 30, 2015 confirming that the territory was bound by the court decision and said that marriage license forms would be changed to include same-sex couples.

To apply for marriage license and schedule a wedding ceremony, visit www.saipanmayor.cnmi.gov website.