Couples looking to tie the knot on Valentine’s Day will be able to obtain a marriage license and get married all in the same location Feb. 14 at various county clerk locations in Southern California.
In Los Angeles, such can be done at the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s Office in Norwalk.
Same-day marriage licensing and civil wedding ceremonies will be offered at the location at 12400 Imperial Highway. The services will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The fee is $35 for the ceremony and the marriage license is $91, but couples can choose a confidential license for $85.
On Valentine’s Day last year, 140 couples took advantage of the same-day licensing and ceremonies in Norwalk—where usually about 30 ceremonies are performed on a normal day. Another 73 couples were married on Valentine’s Day 2023 at the various registrar-recorder offices across Los Angeles County.
“Valentine’s Day is one of our most popular days of the year, and I am excited to increase accessibility of our marriage services with extended hours. Our department’s priority is to create a memorable start to the new chapter of each couple’s love story,” Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen said in a statement.
In Orange County, a public marriage license is $61, and $66 for one that is confidential. The civil ceremony costs $28.
In San Diego County, the San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk has a limited number of appointments available Feb. 14.
Jordan Marks, the county assessor-recorder-county clerk, also serves as county commissioner of civil marriages. He said Valentine’s Day is historically one of the busiest and most sought-after days of the year for same-day marriage licensing and civil ceremonies.
“Valentine’s Day is a favorite day to tie the knot and say ‘I do' because it can be easily remembered as a memorable milestone for many future decades,” Mr. Marks said. “My office is ready to help hundreds of local couples celebrate their romance and commitment to each other with a special, magical marriage service.”
The San Diego Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk has five offices around the county.
Valentine’s Day appointments for marriage licenses and wedding ceremonies can be reserved between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at any of the county clerk’s five offices—Chula Vista, San Marcos, Santee, Kearny Mesa, and at its Downtown San Diego headquarters at the County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway.
Walk-in appointments will be available only at the downtown location.
As a nod to couples looking to enter matrimony, the Larry Himmel Neighborhood Foundation, a nonprofit that supports individuals and other nonprofits in San Diego County, will cover the costs for the first 20 weddings at the County Administration Center. This initiative includes payment for marriage licenses and associated fees.
“My dad loved Valentine’s Day and always looked for ways to spread joy on this special day,” said Miles Himmel, founder of the Larry Himmel Neighborhood Foundation. “In keeping with my dad’s spirit, we want to continue the tradition by helping couples tie the knot.”
The cost for a non-confidential marriage license is $129. Cost for a staff member to perform the ceremony is an additional $107. Ceremonies can be conducted in English or Spanish.
