Supreme Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage Nationwide

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled same-sex marriage constitutional, allowing marriage equality in all 50 states.

The Travis County Clerk’s office, after requesting the county attorney “review and interpret the legal implications of the ruling,” has announced it will issue marriage licenses to gay couples. “Because of the ruling, the Travis County Clerk’s office will begin to issue marriage licenses to same gender couples at 10:30 AM on June 26,” wrote County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir in a press release. “This is a joyous day, I am delighted for all couples who wish to be legally married in Texas.” Details about getting a marriage license are below.

The historic 5-4 ruling, authored by Justice Anthony Kennedy, grants same-sex couples the right to marry based on the Equal Protection clause. The ruling reads, in part:

"No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right."

You can read the full ruling here.

The Travis County Clerk is located at 5501 Airport, 512/854-9188. Marriage licenses will be issued today to anyone who is in line by 6:30pm. Hours next week are 8am-6:30pm, Mon.-Fri. The clerk's office will also be open Sat., July 4, 8am-5pm, and Sun., July 5, noon-5pm.

You must bring 1) proof of identity and age (possible documents: official copy of birth certificate, driver’s license or state-issued ID card, passport, visa, military identification); 2) Social Security Number (but not the actual card) for each applicant (if the applicant has one); and $81 (may be paid with cash, or credit/debit cards, no checks accepted). Note that the fee may be waived for certain members of the military who are preparing to be deployed to a hostile-fire zone, and that the fee may be reduced for individuals who provide a certificate of completion of the Texas Twogether Program. Information on the program can be found at www.twogetherintexas.com. Additional information has been posted at www.traviscountyclerk.org and on the County Clerk's social media accounts.

Check back for updates.