Community Corner

Appeals Court Lifts Ban on Gay Marriage, Weddings to Start July 1

Five years after it was banned, gay marriage is once again legal in California. 

On Friday,  the U.S. Ninth District Court of Appeals lifted its stay on weddings, prompting a rush by same sex couples to get married in San Francisco and Los Angeles, many in the very same clothes they went to work in.

Initially, public officials had said it would take at least 25 days for the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to be upheld, meaning same sex couples could not obtain marriage licenses until at least July 22.

Find out what's happening in Petalumawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But a panel of three federal appellate court judges lifted an injunction against the marriages, taking many by surprise. That same day, the Sonoma County Clerk's Office announced that it will begin issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples starting July 1.

Couples planning to get hitched need to make an appoint, then prepare for the longer than normal wait times.

Find out what's happening in Petalumawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

To accommodate the anticipated increase in marriage license and ceremony requests, the Clerk’s Office will be open on Monday, July 1 at 8am and remain open until 8pm.  

Parties to the marriage must appear together, with valid, government-issued photo identification.  More information about marriage license requirements can be found on the Clerk’s website at http://www.sonoma-county.org/clerk/.  

Applications for a Sonoma County marriage licenses can be completed online at https://clerkdocs.sonoma-county.org/.  

Wedding ceremonies are offered in English or Spanish, and can be performed in one of several private rooms, or in the public courtyard.  


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here