February 5, 2015

Contact: Mark Church, Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
Alternate: Jim Irizarry, Assistant Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder

(Redwood City, CA) Every year, Valentine’s Day is the most popular wedding day of the year.  “This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday, which is outside of our regular office hours.  As a service to all those who wish to tie the knot on the most popular day for nuptials all year, we are extending our office hours to be open,” said Mark Church, Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder and Chief Elections Officer.

“Valentine’s Day is a special day, and even more special to those who are married on that day. It is a wonderful time for a couple to celebrate their wedding surrounded by friends and families,” he added.

Last year, the San Mateo County Clerk’s Office performed 16 wedding ceremonies on Valentine’s Day.  Typically, the office averages about four wedding ceremonies a day.

Unlike any other chapel that can be rented for a wedding, San Mateo County’s Chapel has an internet broadcast service available so that couples can share their special day with friends and family all over the world. This service includes a special invitation to guests and a complimentary DVD keepsake of their ceremony for only $50. Wedding guests receive a stylish e-mail invitation with viewing instructions for watching the ceremony on the internet.

“We will continue a special tradition in the San Mateo County Clerk’s Office on Valentine’s Day of providing each couple with a long-stem red rose to commemorate their wedding day,” said Church. He noted that Valentine’s Day couples who make advance reservations will also receive a complimentary DVD of their ceremony. (This does not include internet broadcast)

Chapel reservations are highly recommended, regardless of the day.  Volunteer Wedding Commissioners conduct most of the wedding ceremonies at the chapel and do it as a labor of love. The County’s chapel, which is located on the first floor of the San Mateo County Clerk’s Office at 555 County Center in Redwood City, holds up to 25 people, can be reserved for a 25 minute ceremony and rents for $65.

Any couple that would like to be married at the County’s chapel any weekday can call 650.363.4500 and ask for ext. 6063 to inquire about available reservations and ask questions about wedding arrangements. For those that would like to see what the chapel looks like, review the steps of getting a marriage license, ask about the costs, and learn about having their wedding on the web, the information is available on the Assessor-Clerk-Recorder’s website at www.smcare.org/clerk/marriage/default.asp

Couples need a marriage license to get married. They may submit their marriage license application online by going to the website, www.smcare.org or they can fill it in online at one of the terminals in our office. A marriage license costs $79 and $15 for a certified copy and requires the couple to show proof of identification and be present together to sign the application form.

With the passage of the Name Equality Act, couples need to decide what they want their married legal names to be — and do so before they purchase a license to marry. Otherwise, they will have to retain an attorney and go through the legal process to change their names which is both costly and time-consuming. This law allows couples to keep their own name, take their spouses name, or create a brand new name from a combination of their two middle or last names – or use any combination of these options.

Some couples want to be married by someone known to them – a friend, a family member, or colleague.  If arrangements are made with the County Clerk’s Office in advance, these people can be deputized by the County Clerk to perform the wedding ceremony.


The press release is displayed in its original format. San Mateo County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder & Elections website now resides at www.smcacre.org

Related Contacts

Mark Church

Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder and Chief Elections Officer
555 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94063-1665Get Directions
Phone:
650.363.4988

Jim Irizarry

Asst. Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder & Asst. Chief Elections Officer
555 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94063-1665Get Directions
Phone:
650.363.4988