California counties can issue marriage licenses in June

SAN FRANCISCO " California officials are telling county clerks that they can start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on June 17.

The state Office of Vital Records says it chose June 17 because the state Supreme Court has until the end of business on June 16 to decide whether to grant a stay of its ruling legalizing gay marriage.

Gay rights advocates and some clerks initially thought couples would be able to wed as early as June 14 " exactly 30 days after the court's May 15 ruling.

New marriage license forms also will include lines for "Party A" and "Party B" instead of bridge and groom.