gaymarriageel20121.jpg
Same sex couples won't have to wait a minute extra to get their marriage licenses in King County. (AP Photo)

King County signing gay marriage licenses at midnight

BY Stephanie Klein  on November 15, 2012 @ 1:57 pm (Updated: 2:10 pm - 11/15/12 )

Same sex couples won't have to wait a minute extra to get their marriage licenses in King County.

County Executive Dow Constantine says the County Recorder's Office will open at 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 6, the first official day licenses can be issued.

"I don't want couples to wait a minute longer than legally necessary to get the rights that voters have recognized," said Executive Constantine, who will personally sign the first marriage licenses at 12:01 a.m.

Couples will have to wait another three days before the actual marriage ceremony may be performed.

The move will make King County the first jurisdiction in the nation to issue marriage licenses based on voter approval. Voters in Maryland and Maine approved marriage equality initiatives last week, but their laws will not take effect until January.

Couples can start lining up at the King County Administration Building James Street entrance at 10:00 p.m. on Dec. 5. Both parties must be present to obtain a marriage license in person. Couples should bring a completed application, photo ID, and the $64 fee (cash or check).

Stephanie Klein, MyNorthwest.com Editor
Stephanie joined the MyNorthwest.com team in February 2008. She has built the site into a two-time National Edward R. Murrow Award winner (Best Radio Website 2010, 2012).
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Comments (16)


  • Add A Comment

  • BeenThere wrote...
    Be careful what you wish for.
    November 15, 2012 2:05 pm
    A license does not guarantee happiness, as many have come to realize. Welcome to the reality of marriage. Just make sure you've decided where your going to live BEFORE you take the plunge(Solo and Stevens).
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dadof3 wrote...
    I curse them all with marriage...hahahaha
    November 15, 2012 2:10 pm
    They wanted it, let them have it. And can anyone give me a good reason why plural marriage should not be legalized now? Why shouldn't 3, 4, 5 or even 10 consenting adults who all love each other be able to marry? Anything less is discrimination.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • gaymarriedchristianfromhollywood wrote...
    yes. marriage is a union between one person and another person. nice try, but we the people will not redefine marriage.
    November 15, 2012 5:52 pm
    Got it?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • 2shbag wrote...
    Not sure
    November 15, 2012 2:47 pm
    not sure why the county thinks this is cause to pay someone overtime to open an office at odd hours of the day? Why does this have to be such a big deal? The gays got what they wanted yet we will never here the end of it.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • RoPo wrote...
    Another way to cost the taxpayer money.
    November 15, 2012 2:50 pm
    Business Hours Customer Service 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m Monday through Friday Recording 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m Monday through Friday Documents received after 3:30 p.m. will be recorded the next business day.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • calapete wrote...
    great news!
    November 15, 2012 3:12 pm
    It will be interesting to see the financial impact of this over the year.

    Funny how Republicans say they are for job creation, yet are opposed to SSM.

    wrong again!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Yep
    November 15, 2012 9:38 pm
    But we won't see the real results for a few years when the fun wears off. then the real money will be made by the divorce lawyers.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • FormerMarineSgt wrote...
    @maplefish...
    November 15, 2012 9:48 pm
    I see that divorce (not being allowed by God) isn't a problem, but gay marriage is? Fascinating.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dori monson fan wrote...
    how come after 100 years of streamlining the driver's license process
    November 15, 2012 4:36 pm
    in our state it takes a 3 hour wait during normal business hours to get one? if we have the technology to issue a license in one minute, why the 180x delay at bellevue dol? say wa.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • daveismenotyou wrote...
    Sorry to be insensitive,
    November 15, 2012 7:53 pm
    but why do the two hands there look like a picture from two people out of a german concentration camp?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • RoPo wrote...
    because....
    November 15, 2012 9:22 pm
    they have aids? At least its not another pic of gays tonguing each other
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • FormerMarineSgt wrote...
    @RoPo
    November 15, 2012 9:41 pm
    Pathetic comment dude. Simply pathetic.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • W900A wrote...
    Irony
    November 15, 2012 9:25 pm
    Isn't it ironic that for the later 60s and 70's the left preached they didn't need a piece of paper. Marriage was so yesterday... Now by hook or crook they absolutely MUST have a piece of paper to be legitimate. Next they will force it into Churches that don't believe in it. But NOT Mosques because that would be offensive.. Can't offend anyone except those who hold traditional values. I think we should pass the next law that states you must declare your sexuality by age 21 and you will be held to only have relations in accordance with their chosen gender selection for life.. Only fair since we know they don't have a choice, born that way and all. Since that is what we are supposed to believe, why not make that official too. Put it on ID so that they can prove it since it isn't apparent unless you announce it or demonstrate it. I suspect that there will be an uptick in spousal abuse and longer waits for divorce court so this won't be free. Police will tell you same sex couples tend to beat on each other more then traditional ones. To me it is just a farce and will remain one. I can't be compelled to accept it as authentic marriage. Certainly not Holy Matrimony. That little twinge of guilt eating away at you after your ceremony is your conscience reminding you what you are doing is wrong.. even though now you have a piece paper from the state endorsing it. But you will just suppress it like always. Happy Honeymoon
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • FormerMarineSgt wrote...
    @W900
    November 15, 2012 9:46 pm
    ah, interesting - you decry the changes that 'the left' wanted in the 60's and 70's, then ignore that they returned (mostly) to the old standard where a marriage license is important so that you can slam 'the left' and 'the gays' now... Interesting... And for the rest of your diatribe - please dude... Get over yourself. You're perfectly free to have your own opinion, but please, don't spew it in a condecending, immature and completely free of actual facts manner.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • BeenThere wrote...
    A death row inmate is allowed to marry. Are you good with that?
    November 16, 2012 12:17 am
    A license issued by the State does not impute righteousness to the licensee. It is not a "morals" license or religious instrument, it's about property rights,children, etc. A legally binding contract between two people. It doesn't require you be a person of faith or even be in love. Love has nothing to do with it(although Jay Inslee seems to think you need a marriage license in order to love who you want to love). Marriage can be two different things, a State contract and a covenant with God. You don't need a covenant with God to be legally "married" according to the State, but you do if you are Christian. Government is not a moral entity and if its' standard was a Biblical one, such as only virgins could marry, would there be many weddings?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • R L M 456 wrote...
    Wish they would pay overtime and do a special opening, wasting Taxpayer money
    November 16, 2012 4:10 am
    whenever I need to get a King County building permit

    Have to wait hours in Line

    I should have told them I was Gay and it was for a "Gay Rally" parade platform

    would have been escorted to the front of the line and out the door in 15 seconds

    tell me again how all you want is EQUAL treatment???

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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