OC Probate Judge readies for Same-Sex Marriages

The Probate Judge’s Office in Oconee County is actively preparing for same-sex marriage requests. Starting next week the office will begin accepting applications from same-sex couples to marry. On the heels of this week’s ruling by a federal judge striking down South Carolina’s ban on same-sex marriages as unconstitutional, Judge Kenny John’s staff drafted a revised form for those applications. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson formally filed notice Thursday of his appeal to the federal judge’s ruling. Unless the appeal leads to a stay, the office of the Oconee County Probate Judge will accept same-sex marriage requests starting at 12:01am on Nov. 20. Judge Johns says he expects a few applications, but no mad rush to his office at the county administrative complex on South Pine Street in Walhalla.