Washington begins issuing same - sex marriage licenses Thursday . Chris Gregoire and Secretary of State Sam Reed certified Referendum 74 Wednesday , surrounded by the marriage equality bill 's supporters . A lesbian couple who have been together since 1977 received the first license in King County . Counties in Maryland and Maine also approved same - sex marriage last month .
Washington begins issuing same - sex marriage licenses Thursday . A lesbian couple who have been together since 1977 received the first license in King County . Counties in Maryland and Maine also approved same - sex marriage last month .