NEW JERSEY February 19, 2007 —Today is the first day same sex couples in New Jersey can register for civil unions. New Jersey is the third state in the nation to create institution as a close alternative to marriage. WNYC's Kathleen Horan has more.

REPORTER: Even though today is the President's Day holiday - some towns will keep their municipal buildings open for the occasion. They include Maplewood, Asbury Park and Lambertville - which opened its doors at midnight this morning to accommodate anxious couples - that want to be among the first to get their licenses.

REPORTER: A civil union can be performed 72 hours after filing for the license. Some Mayors have said they'd refuse to perform the same-sex ceremonies.But they've been warned by the Attorney General - if they perform marriages but refuse civil unions they'd be violating the state's anti-discrimination laws.

REPORTER: Many of the state's estimated 20,000 same-sex couples view the law as a historic step in the right direction. But others say they're still holding out for the chance to marry.