California Couples

Mercury News reports that beginning at 5:01 p.m. today, same sex couples will be able to marry in California. Most counties, including Santa Clara County, are waiting until Tuesday morning to begin issuing marriage licenses and conducting ceremonies for couples who wish a non-denominational ceremony.

Alameda County is granting marriage licenses to couples after normal working hours today, beginning at 5:01 p.m. and ending at 8 p.m. As of Friday, so are Sonoma and Yolo counties.

Also as of Friday night two counties, Butte and Kern, were refusing to arrange for marriage ceremonies for all couples, but the court decision requires that county clerks issue licenses to same-sex couples beginning Tuesday. A ceremony, with a witness and officiated by a person allowed by law to conduct marriages in California, must occur within 90 days.