Probate judges in some Alabama counties are saying they will stop issuing marriage licenses to anyone after same-sex marriages become legal in Alabama Monday. Judges in at least four counties have said they won't issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Pike County Probate Judge Wes Allen announced Friday that the county won't issue marriage licenses or perform marriage ceremonies anymore. A federal judge's ruling legalizing same-sex marriage in Alabama takes effect Monday.

"Marriage licenses and ceremonies are not available at the Pike County Probate Office," the judge's office said on Facebook Friday afternoon. "Pike County residents who are seeking marriage licenses can do so at any Probate Judge's office in the state that offers that service and are not required to apply for their license in their county of residence."

Allen said in a news release that the decision allows him to obey the law and his Christian beliefs. He cited state law that says marriage licenses "may" be issued by probate judges.

"The people of Pike County elected me to perform my duties and they also elected me because of who I am and the values I live by," Allen told the newspaper. "I am choosing to take the Pike County Probate Office out of the marriage licensing business altogether."

Marengo County Probate Judge Laurie Hall told The Demopolis Times that her office will make marriage license forms available, but she won't sign the forms or perform marriages.

Clarke County Probate Judge Valerie Davis said in a news release that her office wouldn't issue marriage licenses or perform marriages.

"I do not think I am required to compromise my religious beliefs to be Probate Judge," Davis said in the release. "Alabama law does not mandate me to issue marriage licenses to anyone of any gender."

Covington County Probate Judge Ben Bowden issued a statement Friday that he will not issue the licenses to same-sex couples. Bowden says he does not believe a decision of a federal judge overturning the state gay marriage ban requires him to do so.

Washington County Probate Judge Nick Williams issued a statement saying he "will continue to abide by his oath of office as supported by his constituents and guided by the Alabama Supreme Court, and will only issue marriage licenses and solemnize ceremonies consistent with Alabama law and the U.S. Constitution; namely, between one man and one woman only, so help me God."

Same-sex marriage will be legal on Monday after a federal judge in Mobile ruled two weeks ago that Alabama's ban was unconstitutional. A stay on that decision will be lifted Monday.

David Kennedy, an attorney for plaintiffs Cari Searcy and Kim McKeand in Mobile, said the law is ambiguous as to whether probate judges unilaterally can stop issuing licenses. But it is "incredibly foolish" either way, he said.

"I think it's doing a incredible disservice to the residents of their county," he said.

Michael Hansen, with One Alabama, criticized the judges' decisions.

"That's not the way our system of government works and any civil servant should know better," he said in a statement. "Nothing but animus is behind this decision. Judge Allen's first job as an elected official is to follow and protect the U.S. Constitution, the very same Constitution that Judge Callie Granade found incompatible with the Sanctity of Marriage Amendment and the Alabama Marriage Protection Act -- just as court after court after court has determined since June 26, 2013."

AL.com's Brendan Kirby and the Associated Press contributed to this report.