New Hampshire's governor officially signed gay marriage legislation into law, Wednesday, making the state the sixth to redefine its definition of marriage.

Gov. John Lynch made the move just one hour after lawmakers voted to approve the measure.  In all, there were three bills, which will all take effect next January.

Although it allows same-sex partners to marry, the legislation exempts religious charities and schools from having to provide benefits to the couples.

The bill also says that religious groups have "exclusive control" over their doctrines and policies on marriage.

A similar bill failed to pass last month.

Lynch has said that he opposes gay marriage, but agreed to sign the bill if it included exemptions for religious groups.

To date Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont and Iowa have also legalized same-sex marriages.