SAN ANTONIO – Just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for same-sex marriage, the Bexar County Clerk's Office on Friday began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
County spokeswoman Laura Jesse said despite a 72-hour waiting period from the issuance of the license, a civil judge can waive the waiting period to allow the ceremony to happen immediately.
Jesse said if couples are inside the Paul Elizondo Tower by 6 p.m. Friday, they will be issued a license today. Licenses are $81 and cash is only accepted.
According to The Associated Press, Jon Truho and Larry Stern were the first same-sex couple to get married in Bexar County. In a late morning ceremony, Judge Eugenia "Genie" Wright did the honors, advising the newlyweds: "Please stay married. Be nice to each other."
Truho and Stern exchanged rings as part of the ceremony.
County Clerk Gerard Rickhoff said Thursday his office was ready for a possible surge in marriage license applications.
"We issue about 1,000 licenses a month, 60 to 70 a day. So I don't see it overcoming our resources," Rickhoff said. "It will just be another day in the sun in San Antonio. I don't see any catastrophic events happening."
Rickhoff said he has held multiple staff meetings and plans to have security officers at his office.
"We're not going to tolerate any hate speech or disruptive behavior. It's not going to happen," Rickhoff said.
In preparation for the possibility of the high court ruling in favor of same-sex marriage, the clerk's office prepared two different marriage license documents. The old license indicated where the male and female signed their names. The new form removes gender from the form.
Rickhoff said the new documents are ready for immediate use.
Same-sex couples interested in securing a marriage license are urged to visit the clerk's website for more information.
Requirements for a marriage license can be found by clicking here.