Protest pays off: Same-sex couples in Outagamie Co. will receive full refund for application fee

APPLETON (WITI) — Same-sex couples who applied for a marriage license in Outagamie County, but couldn't get married will now get a full refund for their application fee. Thanks, in part, to the county executive.

Arti Alan and his partner Joshua were among dozens of people who showed up to protest at the Outagamie County Courthouse Monday morning, June 16th.

They were supposed to get married.

Since marriage wasn't an option, they were hoping for a full refund on their marriage license fee.

Initially, the county told couples they would only get a portion refunded. The couple's would have the state's portion of the $100 fee refunded -- amounting to $55.

"I think it's only fair for the county to receive some remuneration for the amount of time we've had with applying for this," Outagamie County Clerk Lori O'Bright said.

In the last few years, the Outagamie County Clerk says only two or three couples have ever asked for their money back, but only the station portion has been refunded. The county keeps its portion for services rendered.

"The money is useless. I mean, not useless, but it's unimportant. It's just $100 bucks. It is largely symbolic because our county clerk -- when she started accepting those marriage applications, chose not to waive a five-day waiting period," Alan said.

In the end, the county executive stepped in and offered to pay the county's portion the refund from his budget.

"So from the county executive's budget, we just won't spend those dollars. Instead, we'll be dedicating those dollars to pay for a refund for those applications," Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson said.

While the full refund is good news, Alan says the fight isn't over yet.

"Those refunds are a very, very small consolation prize to me being able to spend the rest of my life with the man I love and until I have that, I'm not going to stop," Alan said.

Couples also have the option to keep their application on file, in the hopes the hold will be lifted.

The county executive says he will issue up to $1,200 in refunds.

The money comes from a fund that goes toward a wide variety of things, including office repairs and supplies.