DES MOINES — The Iowa Supreme Court is delaying the date when same-sex couples can begin filing for marriage licenses.

Court spokesman Steve Davis announced Tuesday that people can file for licenses Monday, April 27, three days after the previously announced date of April 24.

Davis says the court opted for the delay because April 24 was designated as a furlough day, when the courts will close to save money due to budget cuts. It’s one of eight days the courts will close before the end of the fiscal year June 30.

Last Friday, the Supreme Court ruled a state law limiting marriage to a man and a woman violates the constitutional rights of equal protection, opening the door to same-sex marriage.

Court decisions normally take effect 21 days after an opinion is filed.