By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

COLUMBIANA – The Shelby County Probate Court will continue to issue both same-sex and opposite-sex marriage licenses as county Probate Judge Jim Fuhrmeister works to review an administrative order issued by the Alabama chief justice.

On Jan. 6, Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore issued an administrative order calling for all state probate judges to stop issuing marriage licenses contrary to the state’s Sanctity of Marriage Amendment or Marriage Protection act.

“Judge Fuhrmeister and the county attorney are reviewing this administrative order and all of the other applicable court orders from the state and federal courts,” Fuhrmeister wrote in a statement at about 4:25 p.m. on Jan. 6.

The Supreme Court issued a 5-4 ruling on June 26, 2015, ordering states to issue same-sex marriage licenses a few months after the Alabama Supreme Court ordered the state’s probate judges to stop issuing same-sex marriage licenses.

While reviewing Moore’s order, Fuhrmeister said he will continue issuing marriage licenses to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples, in accordance with the U.S. Supreme Court order.

The Shelby County Probate Court has been issuing same-sex marriage licenses since June 29, 2015.

“Judge Fuhrmeister stated that he will continue to follow the law as it applies to Shelby County, and will continue to review his decisions in light of any and all new court orders to determine if there has been a change in the law which applies to Shelby County or the office he holds,” read Fuhrmeister’s statement.