Same-sex couples in Alaska began submitting applications for marriage licenses on Monday after a federal judge struck down the state's gay marriage ban Sunday night.
Gov. Sean Parnell has called the ruling unconstitutional, saying it will be appealed. However, the state instructed Alaska’s bureau of vital statistics to begin accepting applications from same-sex couples beginning Monday.
[seealso slug="gay-marriage-photos-nevada-idaho"]
Alaska's new gender neutral marriage license. pic.twitter.com/tzLNHFBSHP— suzannacaldwell (@suzannacaldwell) October 13, 2014
Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics Section Chief Phillip Mitchell told Mashable the state has accepted applications from 10 same-sex couples, all in Anchorage, as of Monday afternoon. Matthew Hamby, the lead plaintiff in the case that ultimately struck down the marriage ban, was among the applicants Monday.
Same-sex marriage is now legal in about 30 states in the U.S. after the Supreme Court refused to hear appeals on the matter Oct. 6, effectively greenlighting it.
Alaska has a three-day waiting period between application and issuing of marriage licenses, so the first same-sex marriages in the state could take place as early as Thursday.