The professional association of Alabama's probate judges said Wednesday it now is satisfied that a federal court order striking down the state's same-sex marriage ban applies to them.

The Alabama Probate Judges Association had taken the position that the order Friday by U.S. District Judge Callie V.S. "Ginny" Granade in Mobile applied only to the two women who brought the suit and the Attorney General's Office, which was the named defendant.

Lawyers for plaintiffs Cari Searcy and Kim McKeand, as well as same-sex marriage advocates and legal experts, roundly criticized that position. Earlier Wednesday, Granade released a "clarification" making clear that her ruling applied broadly statewide.

The Probate Judges Association now is satisfied, as well.

That means the final hope for opponents of same-sex marriage is that the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will agree to a request by the state to extend a "stay" Granade ordered delaying the ruling from taking effect until Feb. 9.

"It is the opinion of the Association, on the advice of legal counsel, that until the stay is lifted, probate judges cannot issue marriage licenses to same sex couples," Monroe County Probate Judge Greg Norris, the group's president, said in a prepared statement. "However, on the occasion that the stay is lifted, same sex couples may apply for marriage licenses."

Norris added that the association will encourage its members to follow the law. He stated that marriage forms may need to be modified to accommodate same-sex applicants. Those forms are created and distributed by the Alabama Department of Public Health through the Office of Vital Statistics.

Norris stated that the association has been in contact with the Department of Health to discuss potential changes.

It is unclear whether Granade's clarification would change the mind of Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore, who argued in a letter to Gov. Robert Bentley that the federal government has no constitutional authority to regulate state marriage laws.

David Kennedy, an attorney for Searcy and McKeand, said he hopes the group's change-of-heart means a "smooth and orderly transition" on Feb. 9.

"We're certainly happy to hear that the Probate Judges Association has decided to follow Judge Granade's order and also reject Chief Justice Roy Moore's contention," he said.

Updated at 5:54 p.m. with reaction from David Kennedy.