Probate judges across the state grappled with conflicting rulings this morning as they decided whether to go ahead with same-sex marriage or put all nuptials on hold until they received legal guidance.

Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore issued an order Sunday night telling probate judges not to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Two weeks ago, U.S. District Judge Callie V. Granade overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage. Both the U.S. Supreme Court and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals declined to intervene, which should have allowed gay marriage to move forward this morning.

Citing legal confusion, probate judges in most counties contacted decided not to issue any marriage licenses at all - to same-sex or heterosexual couples. In some counties, including Butler County, Colbert County and Coosa County probate courts are taking marriage applications from all couples but not issuing licenses.

Officials at Mobile County Probate Court turned away all couples seeking marriage licenses this morning. Windows at the marriage license department remained closed several hours after the office opened.

The couple that sued to overturn the state's ban on same-sex marriage lives in Mobile County, and their attorneys were drafting a motion to compel the court to comply with the federal court ruling, according to Al.com.

In at least nine counties, including Jefferson County, Etowah County, Montgomery County and Madison County, probate judges said they will issue marriage licenses to all couples, gay and straight, on Monday morning.

Same-sex couples and their supporters celebrated in Jefferson County, even as a handful of protesters waved crosses and shouted "Repent!" In Huntsville, supporters of same-sex marriage carried rainbow-painted buckets full of roses for newly-married couples.

Gay and lesbian couples did not find a warm welcome in all counties. Probate judges in at least seven counties statewide chose to follow the order issued late Sunday by Chief Justice Moore. Probate judges in Bibb County, Covington County, Cleburne County and Washington County refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples on Monday, even as they issued licenses to opposite sex couples.

Washington County Probate Judge Nick Williams said he would not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Al.com reporter Casey Toner asked him whether he was worried about getting sued.

"I'm not worried about following the U.S. Constitution and the Alabama Constitution," he said. "I'm standing on solid ground."

Colbert County Probate Judge Charles D. Rosser, Jr. said he is accepting applications but not issuing any licenses until further clarification. He said he hopes to revisit the policy by tomorrow morning.

"There's a conflict, and I want to follow the law," Rosser said. "But it is difficult this morning to follow the law."

Across the state, probate judges said they were seeking more clarification in the wake of Moore's order.

Probate Judge Jerry Pow of Bibb County said he is not issuing marriage licenses to any couples this morning.

"I don't know whether I want to defy the chief justice of the state supreme court or a federal judge," Pow said.

However, other probate judges determined that Moore was out of line when he issued his order.

Probate Judge Steven Blair of Coffee County released a statement that said he would respect the ruling issued in January by U.S. District Judge Callie Granade.

"While I have the greatest respect for Chief Justice Roy Moore's opinions and beliefs, the question of federal pre-emption of state law is long settled," Blair wrote. "See, Gibbons v. Ogden, 22 U.S. 1 (1824). In recognition of my oath as a judge, I am sworn to follow the order of the federal courts with respect to same sex marriages."

Reporters Debbie Lord, Mike Cason and Erin Edgemon contributed to this story. Updated at 6:55 a.m. to include more information from Washington County Probate Judge Nick Williams.

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