Gardiner + Augusta Will Be Open Dec. 29 to Issue Marriage Licenses

Augusta and Gardiner will each open for three hours to issue marriage licenses Saturday, December 29. They are not normally open on weekends, but this is a special case. December 29 is the first day same-sex couples in Maine can get married.

 Yes, it’s a Saturday and yes the offices would normally be closed that day, but officials decided the city clerk's office in both cities will be open from 9 a.m. to noon for marriage licenses only. It is to accommodate the anticipated interest from couples who want to get married the first day the new law, allowing same-sex marriage, takes effect. For towns that don’t open for the first day, couples will have to wait until Monday, Dec. 31, to get marriage licenses. Either way, I bet there will a whole bunch of New Years Eve weddings this year.