Baldwin County Probate Judge Tim Russell (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

Tim Russell is joining a growing list of probate judges in Alabama who said they will begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples after Thursday's ruling by U.S. District Judge Callie V. Granade ordering Mobile County Probate Judge Don Davis to do so.

Russell, probate judge in Baldwin County, was one of many judges on Monday who was not issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples after Alabama Supreme Court Presiding Judge Roy Moore instructed them not to do so.

Russell's office has allowed same-sex couples to fill out marriage applications.

The first couple to seek an application on Monday was only allowed to leave the office with the letter Moore sent to probate judges on Sunday, which explained his position.

Russell, in a news office, indicated his office will process same-sex marriage applications and license beginning Friday.

"I have reached this decision after much thought and prayer," Russell said. "While this offends my personal beliefs, I feel compelled to follow the order of Judge Granade issued to Judge Davis, absent further direction by the federal courts of the courts of the state of Alabama."

Russell, last week, said his office will cease conducting marriages.

"I have a moral issue with same-sex marriage," Russell said during a news conference Monday, the first day the state became the 37th in the country where same-sex couples can legally wed.

Legal confusion since Moore's ruling prompted Russell and probate judges around the state to question whether they should grant same-sex marriage licenses.

Marion County Probate Judge Rocky Ridings has said that his office could be doling out marriage licenses to same-sex couples within days.

But not all probate judges will take the ruling issued in Mobile into consideration. Randolph County Probate Judge George Diamond told AL.com that he won't follow an order that doesn't apply to his county. Right now, the county is not issuing licenses to any couples, same-sex or straight.

Russell, in Baldwin County, had been issuing marriage license to heterosexual couples.