May 21, 2014 2 min read

Four same-sex couples registered for marriage licenses in Washington and Greene counties Wednesday, one day after a federal judge struck down Pennsylvania’s ban on gay marriage.

One same-sex couple appeared at the Greene County Courthouse early Wednesday to apply for a marriage license. The two women, who have Pittsburgh addresses, showed up early, shortly after the courthouse opened at 8:30 a.m., said Sherry Wise, Greene County clerk of courts.

“They made an application for a license, but they won’t be able to pick it up before Tuesday, because of the three-day waiting period,” Wise said. That is, of course, unless there is an appeal or a stay granted on the ruling.”

Gov. Tom Corbett released a statement Wednesday saying he would not challenge that ruling.

Wise said she was informed the licenses have to be issued. A memo she received Tuesday, prior to the ruling, from David C. Cleaver, solicitor for the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans Court Association of Pennsylvania, had spelled out the possible ramifications, depending on the judge’s decision.

One, which proved to be applicable, was if the judge found the state Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, did not grant a stay of the decision and order, or if a request for a stay was not granted by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

“In that case, same-sex marriage becomes legal in Pennsylvania and you will start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples,” he wrote.

Wise said she also had conferred with Greene County Judge William Nalitz on the matter and he, too, believed the office must issue the licenses.

While there was no line when the register of wills office opened at Washington County Courthouse about 9 a.m. Wednesday, three female same-sex couples trickled in for marriage licenses throughout the day.

Mary Jo Poknis, register of wills, described all three couples as being reserved, but happy to apply for their marriage licenses. She said the first young couple was “really excited that they were the first ones in Washington County.”

Poknis said the application and procedure will be the same for same-sex couples, and employees will continue to do “what we do for everyone.”