The first, busy days that same-sex couples will be allowed to wed in California promise to be chaotic and confusing, as counties throughout the state are coming up with widely varying procedures for implementing the Supreme Court's order lifting the ban on gay marriage.
In Los Angeles County, marriage licenses will be issued Tuesday -- the first full day the court's order takes effect -- on a first-come, first-served basis. Orange County, by contrast, has been allowing couples to make appointments to get licenses. San Bernardino County plans to close its two satellite offices and issue licenses and perform ceremonies only at its main location.
Butte County, however, indicated that it would follow the lead of Kern County in halting its practice of performing marriage ceremonies altogether, citing budget reasons.
Officials in most other counties, however, expect next week to be very busy, as gay couples throughout the state scramble to avail themselves of the newly bestowed right to marry.
"Undoubtedly it will be hectic," said Sonoma County Recorder Janice Atkinson. "I think it will be hectic just by the numbers we will be doing. If you're interested in getting married next week, call the county."
San Diego County, which is allowing appointments and walk-ins for marriage licenses, already has started feeling the crunch: 160 couples have made appointments for Tuesday, surpassing the Valentine's Day crush of 151 couples.
Diana Bradrick, San Diego's chief deputy recorder/county clerk, said, "We don't really know what the total number will be."
But procedures regarding where to go -- and when -- to get a marriage license vary widely among the counties, confusing even the county clerks.
"In 58 counties, the county clerks do things about 57 different ways," said Atkinson, who is trying to keep track of it all for the California Assn. of Clerks and Election Officials. "I've got a spreadsheet trying to keep these things straight."
Sonoma County, along with at least three others, is starting early, issuing licenses and performing ceremonies beginning at 5:01 p.m. Monday, the moment the court order officially takes effect.
L.A. County Acting Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean C. Logan is considering allowing one couple -- one of the litigants in the case that overturned the marriage ban last month -- to wed before Tuesday. Logan said Wednesday that he hadn't made a decision yet.
