Same-Sex Couples Expecting To Receive Marriage Licenses
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- The New Year began with a momentous occasion for many same-sex couples in Florida after a federal judge cleared the way for marriage.
The landmark ruling means same-sex marriage licenses are expected to be issued on Tuesday,January 6th but that could happen even sooner.
If Judge Zable rules to put an end to her stay at 11:00 am on Monday, then the clerk's office in Miami-Dade will be prepared to start issuing marriage licenses soon after her ruling.
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If Judge Zable does not lift her stay then same-sex marriage licenses will be given out on Tuesday morning.
Some however are ready to tie the knot now.
On Friday, William Lee Jones and Aaron Hunstman, a Key West couple walked into the Key West's Monroe County Courthouse and filled out their application to wed at midnight on Monday, January 5th.
"We mainly hope that our marriage shows everybody that we are like everybody else. We want to live like a family and have the same right and benefits as everybody else" said William Lee Jones.
On Thursday, Miami-Dade County uploaded its same-sex marriage application online starting at 7 p.m.
An apparent glitch in the system would not let the two women enter their correct gender.
Michelle Gaber and her partner, Alison Burgos, filled out the application anyways.
"Because history has shown that sometimes marriage is legal one day and maybe not legal the next day in some states, I wanted to be there to make sure that we did it while the window was opened in case the window closed," said Gaber.
On the first day of the New Year, U.S. Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that Florida clerks can issue Licenses to same-sex couple as of 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday.
On Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. hundreds of same-sex couples will be renewing their vows at Botanical Garden in Miami Beach and perhaps hundreds more will be officiating their marriage.
"There will be someone here from Unity on the Bay, Trinity Cathedral and Temple Israel" said Cindy Brown with Botanical Garden.
For more on this event you can contact SAVE at (305)751-SAVE.
On January 10th at 10:00 a.m., a massive ceremony will be held at Unity on the Bay in Miami for all same-sex couples. Private ceremonies will also be held after 2:00 p.m.
For those who would like to be a part of this event you can register at www.unityonthebay.org.
In Broward County, the clerk's office will begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses and performing same-sex marriages at the Central Courthouse beginning January 6 at 12:01 a.m.
For more information in Broward County, click here.
In Miami-Dade County, one last court hearing will need to take place to determine when the licenses will be issued.
For more information in Miami-Dade County, click here.
Judge Zable will rule whether a stay will be lifted in the County or not.
If it is lifted, the Clerk's office is prepared to issue licenses right away, if it is not, the County will issue the licenses Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. at seven locations. Office hours will still apply in Miami-Dade County.
The main office is at 140 W Flagler Street. Six additional district offices will be open.
The marriage application will be available beginning at 7 p.m. Friday night.
For more information in Monroe County, click here.
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