WASHINGTON (February 21, 2013)--The Obama administration is considering whether to urge the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn California's ban on gay marriage, a move that could have a far-reaching impact on same-sex couples across the country.

The administration has one week in which to file a friend-of-the-court brief with the justices on the California ban, known as Proposition 8.

While an administration brief alone is unlikely to sway the high court, the government's opinion does carry weight with the justices.

Proposition 8 opponents believe the president signaled his intention to file a brief when he declared in last month's inaugural address that gays and lesbians must be "treated like anyone else under the law."

An administration official said Mr. Obama was not foreshadowing any legal action, though the administration was considering filing a brief.