i'm so grateful to finally have the protection of the state. >> this is it. it's go time. >> reporter: hundreds of lgbt couples lining up at clerk's offices, weathering frigid temperatures. >> in the cold all night long. >> reporter: and long waits to tie the knot, getting their hands on marriage licenses. >> try number four for us. >> reporter: it's a victory nine years in the making since the state's ban in 2004. utah joins the nation's capital and 17 other states that have legalized same-sex marriage. >> it's a huge deal. because for mormons who have been spending these years fighting this battle they've seen it happen across the country but they didn't expect to have it come to their backyard. >> reporter: the conservative states refusing to back down, it filed an appeal in the 10th circuit court, the states's governor accusing shelby of being an activist federal judge and saying he's working to determine the best course to defend traditional marriage within the borders of utah.