Since Montana’s ban on same-sex marriage was overturned a week ago, Flathead County District Court issued four marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Two of the licenses went to male couples and two to female couples.

Last week a total of 23 marriage licenses were issued in Flathead County, but that number includes 12 proxy marriage licenses.

Of the remaining 11 licenses issued, seven were for marriages between men and women.

Montana is the only state that allows double proxy marriages, where neither the bride nor groom needs to be present.

However, at least one applicant needs to be either a Montana resident or a member of the military. Proxy licenses are most often used by military members. Karole Sommerfield, office administrator at the Flathead County Clerk of Court’s Office, said that during the summer “wedding season,” the number of marriage licenses averages about 50 per week. The majority of those are proxy marriages, she said.

Last week, some employees at the Yellowstone County clerk’s office objected to processing same-sex licenses on religious or moral grounds, according to The Associated Press.

Sommerfield said that’s an issue to be resolved at the state level.

However, she said no one working in customer service positions in Flathead County made any request for accommodation regarding same-sex licenses.

“That is still an issue that is being worked out with attorneys at the state level,” Sommerfield said. “As to how to interpret the statute, and when you take an oath as a [county clerk] deputy, what does that oath entail, what may you step back from without discriminating against the customer?”

Reporter Brittany Brevik may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at bbrevik@dailyinterlake.com.