Polygamous Family Applies for Marriage License in Montana, Application Still Pending

Tyler McNally | July 1, 2015
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A semi-famous polygamist family has applied for a marriage license in Montana, emboldened largely by the Supreme Court's recent Obergefell v. Hodges gay marriage decision.

After starring in one episode of the TLC show "Sister Wives", Nathan Collier and his two wives are trying to wed under the Marriage Equality Act. "We just want to add legal legitimacy to an already happy, strong, loving family, said Nathan.

Nathan and Christine tried to legally wed at Yellowstone County Courthouse Tuesday.

However, Nathan is already legally married to Vicky.

Under Montana state law, polygamy is a misdemeanor offense.

When confronted by Nathan and Christine at the courthouse, a clerk responded:

"We'll have to deny that, let me go grab the other supervisor real quick so I can get confirmation but as far as I'm aware you can't be married to two people at the same time." 

The Montana Attorney General's office responded to MTN News saying that there are two sections of state law that outline the prohibition of polygamy. 

The three are trying to change that though.

Christine told MTN News:

"It's two distinct marriages, it's two distinct unions, and for us to come together and create family, what's wrong with that?... I don't understand why it's looked upon and frowned upon as being obscene."

The only things the Colliers want is legitimacy and tolerance.

Nathan also told MTN News:

"We're not even asking for acceptance, we're just asking for tolerance. Let us live our lives together without fear."

The Colliers could be the first legal polygamous couple in the Union if the application is accepted.

"We aren't asking anybody for anything else. We just want to give our marriage and our family the legitimacy that it deserves," said Nathan Collier.

According to MTN News, the application is still up in the air.

H/T Reddit and KRTV

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