RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina’s top lawyer has advised local officials to prepare for an influx of same-sex couples seeking marriage certificates following a federal judge’s ruling expected within days.

Attorney General Roy Cooper said Tuesday that county registers of deeds should expect a ruling from the federal judge striking down the state’s ban on same-sex marriages “relatively soon.”

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear appeals of a July ruling striking down Virginia’s gay marriage ban.

Chief U.S. District Judge William L. Osteen in Greensboro then told lawyers to submit briefs within 10 days on how to move forward in overturning North Carolina’s ban.

Legal experts agree Osteen is obligated to follow the July ruling from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction over North Carolina.

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