"Star Trek" star George Takei is ready to "live long and prosper" with his partner of 21 years.

The 71-year-old actor known for his role as Sulu on the science fiction television series was the first to pay $70 early Tuesday for a marriage license in West Hollywood, Calif.

"It's going to be the only day like this in our lives and it is the only day like this in the history of America," said a jubilant Takei.

Takei will marry 54-year-old Brad Altman on Sept. 14 in the Democracy Forum at the Japanese National Museum in Los Angeles.

The marriage license is good for 90 days.

The actor, who also has had a recurring role on the television series "Heroes," announced on his blog last month that he and Altman were going to marry with the lift of the gay marriage ban in California.

Takei told reporters and a swelling crowd outside the West Hollywood city auditorium, "May equality live long and prosper."

Takei recently told AP Radio that when he weds Brad Altman on Sept. 14, Walter Koenig, who played Chekhov in "Star Trek," will be the best man and Nichelle Nichols, who played Uhura, will be the matron of honor.

Leonard "Spock" Nimoy is also invited, but William Shatner, who played Captain Kirk in the series, is not on the guest list.