BOSTON (AP) – Governor Mitt Romney distanced himself from reports that the administration had scheduled specific training for city clerks in anticipation of same-sex marriages in May.

Town and city clerks said that they had been notified that they will be trained in early May for the issuance of marriage licenses for gay and lesbian couples, scheduled to begin May 17, but they were given few details about what the training will entail.

Romney, who opposes same-sex marriage, denied that any training was scheduled.

“It’s very possible that various agencies in state government are making preparations, but as to what would be taught or what would be provided to people – I don’t think we know what that answer is until we end up hearing from the Legislature,” he said.

Massachusetts’ highest court has ruled that same-sex marriages must be allowed under the current state constitution.

Linda E. Hutchenrider, clerk of the town of Barnstable and president of the Massachusetts Towns Clerks’ Association, said the state’s Registry of Vital Records and Statistics told her that the training would be in early May, but she was given no specifics.

Stanley E. Nyberg, registrar of vital records, confirmed that the training was scheduled, The Boston Globe reported. Nyberg did not return calls for comment.

The clerks’ association had written to members of the administration and legislative leaders in February, seeking clarification on how they should handle marriage licenses for gay and lesbian couples, should a ruling by the Supreme Judicial Court go into effect in May.

Romney declined to comment on whether he will ask the court to stay its decision. In the past, administration officials have said that no decisions will be made until after the Legislature acts on a proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

Clerks in many Massachusetts communities have received inquiries from gay and lesbian couples and say they need guidance on how to handle the requests.

The prospect of issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples presents some logistical challenges for clerks. For instance, the current form includes entries for “husband” and “wife.”

Hutchenrider said state officials are preparing forms with gender-neutral language for same-sex couples who request marriage licenses. They are scheduled to be available by May 17.

Another bureaucratic challenge involves a 1913 state law that prohibits clerks from issuing marriage licenses to couples whose marriage would be illegal in their home state. Thirty-eight states have “defense of marriage” laws that prohibit same-sex marriages.

“The state has an obligation to make this process as orderly for people as possible,” said Mary Bonauto, the attorney who represented seven gay and lesbian couples whose lawsuit led to the court decision to allow same-sex marriage. “Certainly some folks are looking forward to getting married a great deal, and you’d hate to have it ruined in any way because of paperwork.”