Same sex couples get marriage licenses across midstate

(Harrisburg) — A day after a federal district judge struck down Pennsylvania’s law banning same sex marriage, couples headed to the Dauphin County Courthouse to get a marriage license.

A marriage license in Dauphin County costs $55, and to people like Susan Bailey of Harrisburg, it means so much more than that.

“When you look at each other, it’s just a little different now, you know? And I know people talk, people that have the choice to get married or not get married, some don’t get married because they say you don’t need the license and you don’t need this. I will tell you, last night it was very interesting looking at her and going, ‘oh my gosh, we can’”.

Bailey was among a group of at least 10 same sex couples this morning who applied for same sex marriage licenses.

She and her partner Barbara have been together for 17 years.

“I can’t believe it. I mean it’s really, you’re gonna make me cry,” says Julie Lowery of Mechanicsburg. She and her partner got “married” 8 years ago.

“It hardly seems real. It hardly seems true that we’re here today. I’m very excited.”

Jean Marfizo King, the Register of Wills for Dauphin County, says the office is expecting a steady stream of couples over the next few days.

She says the County had to change its in-house computer system: instead of Bride and Groom, it now reads Applicant 1 and Applicant 2.

Marriage licenses are good for 60 days, but couples must wait 3 days after getting the license to officially get married.

Governor Corbett has 30 days from Tuesday to decide whether to appeal the ruling.