Published: 2015-09-04 16:35:04

A 49-year-old woman in the US state of Kentucky was jailed for contempt of court yesterday after refusing to issue marriage licences to gay couples.

The woman, Kim Davis, is a christian who works as a clerk in Rowan county of and is responsible for filing vital records, or important documents related to a specific county's population, including birth, death and marriage certificates.

According to the New York Times, Davis is a "longtime government worker who is one of three of Kentucky’s 120 county clerks who contend that their religious beliefs keep them from recognizing same-sex nuptials."

Yesterday when same-sex couples showed up to Davis' office to get their licence, they were refused and Davis also told her deputies not to issue licences to those in need.

Under US law, Davis' deputies have to obtain her permission to issue such licences.

However, a judge has granted permission from the deputies who have agreed to issue the licences without Davis' approval.

According to a report by The Guardian, for Davis to be released, she will either have to resign, or agree to allow licences to be issued.

The New York times reported that The White House press secretary said the matter was reported to president Barack Obama but added that Davis should not have defied the court order.

“Every public official in our democracy is subject to the rule of law. No one is above the law. That applies to the president of the United States and that applies to the county clerk of Rowan County, Ky., as well,” the White House press secretary told the New York Times.

Meanwhile Davis' husband said she is in "high spirits" and is willing to stay in jail as long as it takes.