After the Supreme Court decision Friday legalizing same-sex marriage in all 50 states, some county clerks around the U.S. began issuing licenses right away, including Travis County in Texas. Other counties held out, though, citing a need for updated forms that incorporated the new rule.
Those forms had been distributed by Monday, so more counties opened up marriage licenses to both same- and different-sex couples Monday morning. This is despite a statement from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that called the Supreme Court's decision "lawless" and said that Texas county clerks could opt-out of issuing licenses to same-sex couples if it violates the clerk's religious beliefs. They'd still face lawsuits if they did so, he said, but the state would provide pro bono representation in those cases.
On Friday, the Travis County Clerk issued 313 marriage licenses to both same- and different-sex couples. The other nearby counties that are issuing licenses to all couples as of Monday are:
- Hays: Began issuing them Monday morning. By 10 a.m. the clerk's office had issued some licenses to same-sex couples, but the numbers were not immediately available. You can call the clerk's office at 512-393-7738 for more information.
- Williamson: On Friday, the Williamson County Clerk's office posted a sign on the door saying that it was not issuing any marriage licenses, as they were waiting on updated forms and software. They opened up marriage licenses to all couples Monday morning, "following the guidance of the Williamson County Attorney," says Chester Holton with the County Clerk's office. The clerk's office phone number is 512-943-1515 if you need more information.
- Burnet: According to Janet Parker at the County Clerk's office, they received updated forms late Friday evening, after they'd closed. The office began issuing licenses to same-sex couples Monday morning. Their office number is 512-756-5406.
- Caldwell: Though as of 10 a.m. today they hadn't issued any, according to Katrina Reyna at the clerk's office, Caldwell County is issuing the licenses to all couples. For more information on obtaining a license in Caldwell, you can reach the clerk's office at 512-398-1804.
- Blanco: Laura Walla, Blanco County Clerk, says that they're issuing licenses to all couples as of Monday morning, but no one had applied for one as of 10 a.m. That office number is 830-868-7357.
Update 2:30 p.m. Bastrop County began issuing licenses to all couples today around noon.
So far, the only nearby holdout is Bastrop County. The office is prepared to issue licenses to same-sex couples, says a spokesperson from the county clerk's office, but they are waiting to hear the recommendation of the district attorney.
For those seeking a marriage license in Travis County, the clerk's office is open from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. They're also staying open 4th of July weekend, on Saturday from 8 to 5, and Sunday from noon to 5. Applicants need to bring proof of identification, social security cards for both parties, and the $81 fee. Find more information for Travis County marriage licenses here.
