The Broward County Clerk of Court announced it would begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, January 6th.
The move comes after a federal judge said Florida's county court clerks have a legal duty to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle issued a ruling Thursday in Tallahassee federal court responding to requests to clarify his previous order that Florida's same-sex marriage ban was unconstitutional. He stayed that order, but the stay is scheduled to expire at the end of the day Monday.
In response to Hinkle's order, the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers released a statement, saying in part, "Given this development, we are strongly encouraging all Clerks to follow this clarification order and to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-gender couples on January 6, 2015."
Broward's Main Courthouse will have special hours Tuesday, opening from 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. They also announced they would extend their hours until 7 p.m. until further notice.
All other Broward courthouse locations will hold regular hours, from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The division located inside the Rick Case car dealership will be closed until further notice.
