Although the Supreme Court struck down state bans on same-sex marriage on Friday, officials in Mississippi and Louisiana made statements that left the next steps in doubt.

AP / Rogelio V. Solis Hinds County Circuit Clerk Barbara Dunn (right) reads an order on Friday by Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood placing a hold on circuit clerks from issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples, including Knol Aust and partner Duane Smith (left).

While many states were quick to accept Friday's Supreme Court ruling that struck down same-sex marriage bans nationwide, state officials in Mississippi and Louisiana issued statements that made it unclear when, exactly, marriages could begin. But after those officials clarified their positions, clerks began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples Monday.

In Mississippi, Attorney General Jim Hood told clerks in an email Monday that his comments last week had been "misinterpreted" and that they could issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. "If a clerk has issued or decides to issue a marriage license to a same sex couple, there will be no adverse action taken by the Attorney General against that circuit clerk on behalf of the State,” Hood wrote. "On the other hand," he continued, "a clerk who refuses to issue a marriage license to a same sex couple could be sued by the denied couple and may face liability.”

In response, clerks in Mississippi began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, the Jackson Free Press reported.

Cyndi & Evelyn pose with their marriage license in Jackson, Mississippi. #msmarriage

In neighboring Louisiana, Gov. Bobby Jindal had decried the ruling in a statement from his presidential campaign on Friday as an "all out assault against the religious freedom rights of Christians who disagree.” Attorney General Buddy Caldwell's office issued a statement on Friday that it “has found nothing in today’s decision that makes the Court’s order effective immediately."

But on Sunday, Jindal announced on NBC's "Meet the Press" that his state will abide by the Supreme Court's decision. "We don't have a choice,” Jindal said. “Our agencies will comply with the court order." By Monday afternoon, officials were issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in Jefferson, St. James, and St. Charles Parishes, the New Orleans Advocate reported.

Jefferson Parish issues 1st same-sex marriage license in Louisiana to clerk office employees: http://t.co/mHby5GC35w