The Montgomery County Marriage License Office is accepting applications for same-sex marriage.

Gov. Martin O'Malley signed a proclamation enabling Maryland courthouses to issue the licenses last week so that same-sex couples could be legally wed as of Jan. 1, 2013, when the law recognizing same-sex marriage takes effect.

“We got about 20 calls asking would we be taking marriage applications for same sex marriage, so I was expecting at least 10 of them to come in," Montgomery County Circuit Court clerk Loretta Knight told the Gazette recently.

Knight said one woman was at the office when they opened at 8:30 a.m. the first day it was legal to apply, Dec. 6.

However, those eager to wed at the courthouse in Rockville on the first day will have to wait, as it will be closed on Jan. 1. 

Those planning to be married at the courthouse must make an appointment. Knight said she does have same sex weddings scheduled for the courthouse, just not on New Year's Day.

Maryland's attorney general issued a statement last month that courts could begin issuing licenses as soon as the governor signed same-sex marriage into law, reported The Washington Post, though the licenses won't take effect until Jan. 1, 2013. 

For more information on obtaining a marriage license, contact the Montgomery County Circuit Court, located at 50 Maryland Ave., Rockville by calling 240-777-9460

The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. but marriage license applications are not taken after 4 p.m., and carry a fee of $55.