The legislation was certified by Governor Chris Gregoire & Secretary of State Sam Reed. The legislation now allows the same sex marriages that could start as early as Sunday.
Marriage licenses will be starting in 2 counties on Thursday midnight. King County and Thurston County are the two counties to issue marriage licenses. Same-sex couples can start lining up at the King County at 10 p.m. on Wednesday i.e. 2 hours before the opening of the recorder’s office.
Thurston County will issue 10 same-sex marriage licenses starting Thursday midnight. The news has been confirmed by the spokesman for the governor, Cory Curtis, via email.
There is a three day waiting period before the same sex marriage licenses turn valid. It means that, Sunday is the earliest time for a wedding to take place.
Washington is joined by Maine and Maryland where the same-sex marriage got legalized on November 6. In term of issuing licenses, Washington would be the very first. There are 6 other states where same-sex marriage is legal.
