Politics & Government

Four Same-Sex Couples Apply for Marriage Licenses in County

Couples seek marriage licenses in the county within 36 hours of first day same-sex couples can pick up licenses.

 

Four same-sex couples have applied for marriage licenses within the first 36 hours of being able to do so in Howard County, according to the Marriage License Department of the Circuit Court for Howard County.

"We were kind of expecting more, but maybe they know they have time," said Drew Furletti, manager of the county's land records office.

Find out what's happening in Columbiawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Thursday marked the first day same-sex couples could apply for marriage licenses in the state. Gov. Martin O'Malley signed the election results around 10 a.m. Thursday morning, which made the Question 6 referendum results official.

Marriage licenses obtained in December won't become effective until Jan. 1 when the law legalizing gay marriage goes into effect. But by opening up license applications in December, same-sex couples in the county and the state can now have the option of marrying on New Year's Day, with all the added significance of it being the first day that gay marriage is legal in Maryland.

Find out what's happening in Columbiawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A marriage license in Howard County isn't issued until 48 hours after the day in which a license is applied for, thus a same-sex couple has until Dec. 29 to apply for a license if interested in getting married on New Year's Day.

Related Articles

  • Same-Sex Couples Can Now Obtain Marriage Licenses in Howard County
  • Maryland Voters Approve Same-Sex Marriage
  • Same-Sex Marriage Expected to Boost Wedding Business
  • Report: Poll Shows Marylanders Support Same Sex Marriage
  • OPINION: County Executive Celebrates Same-Sex Marriage


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here