City clerks across Massachusetts are handing out marriage licence applications to gay couples, making it the first state in the U.S. to legalize same-sex unions.

The state's Supreme Judicial Court in November ruled 4-3 that gays and lesbians must be allowed to marry.

Clerks in the city of Cambridge handed out the first licence at one minute after midnight. About 5,000 people gathered outside the city hall to cheer as about 260 couples filed in to apply. The first couple in line, Marcia Hams, 56, and Susan Shepherd, 52, showed up 24 hours ahead of the deadline to secure the spot.

Celebration at the courthouse in Cambridge Mass.(AP photo)
Celebration at the courthouse in Cambridge Mass.(AP photo)

A small group of about 15 protesters stood across the street from city hall, holding signs denouncing homosexuality.

Cambridge was the only city in the state to hand out licence applications at midnight; most waited until Monday morning.

Couples must wait three days once the application is completed, but many couples in the line planned to ask the courts to waive the waiting period so they can immediately marry.

"It feels both like a historic moment and a personal moment," said Neema Eshgee, who filed an application with her partner of 18 years.

Vermont has legalized same-sex civil unions and some American cities have issued gay marriage licences that are not recognized by their states. Massachusetts is the first state to fully legalize gay marriage.

The Massachusetts legislature has passed a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, but it must pass another session and be put to a vote in 2006 before it can become law.

Belgium, the Netherlands and Canada have legalized same-sex marriages.