Married lesbian couples in New York City can now be listed as parents on birth certificates as soon as their children are born.
Before, the women would have to go through an adoption process to be listed as the official parents.
The city Board of Health voted Tuesday to make the change.
The state made a similar move in December, after a court ruling and a directive from Gov. David Paterson ordered state agencies to respect out-of-state gay marriages.
The city says married male couples still will need to adopt their children in order to be officially declared their parents.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
