Fulton County ready to open for extended hours if same-sex marriage becomes law of land

If you are a same-sex couple living in Fulton County and plan to marry the day of the Supreme Court’s decision on marriage equality, then you will be happy to know the government is already making accommodations.

In an interview with WSB-TV, Fulton County Chair John Eaves said he is lining up judges who are willing to perform same-sex weddings and plans are also being made to open up the atrium of the Fulton County Government Center for extended hours.

“So these are some exciting times with the anticipated decision of the Supreme Court,” says. He notes that changing the marriage application license is as simple as changing husband and wife to spouse and spouse.

And he does expect a lot of same-sex couples are going to want to get married if the Supreme Court rules that marriage equality should be recognized in all states.

“Typically we are open from 9 to 5, but in anticipating a sort of of deluge of folks who are going to want to do it, we may look at some extended hours,” he says.

On Wednesday morning, the commission approved a resolution in support of marriage equality that also asks the Clerk of the Fulton County Probate Court to prepare for anticipated changes in the legal recognition of marriage for same-sex couples. The resolution was sponsored by Eaves and openly gay commissioner Joan Garner.

“We’re going to seize this historic moment, we’re going to be ready, and we’re going to welcome same-sex couples who want to get married in the state of Georgia right here in Fulton County,” Eaves says.

Eaves, who originally supported civil unions, came out in support of same-sex marriage in 2010 after he was challenged for his post by Mary Norwood, a longtime marriage equality supporter.