SAN DIEGO (CNS) - The San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk's office began offering "Walk-Up Wednesday" marriage services Wednesday at the clerk's "Marriage Hut," located in Waterfront Park in downtown San Diego.
The clerk's office has received an unprecedented number of requests for marriage licenses and civil services -- and to meet pent-up demand caused by COVID-19 interruptions, it opened more appointments across the county and began offering the no-appointment-required services starting Wednesday.
The venue is the Marriage Hut -- a converted concession booth at the park that recently won an achievement award from the National Association of Counties for innovative ideas during the pandemic.
Walk-Up Wednesday will continue through the summer or until demand subsides.
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"July is the start of what we are calling the Summer of Love, and it is sizzling hot," said San Diego County Clerk Ernest J. Dronenburg Jr. "So many couples had to delay or rebook their weddings because of the pandemic and are now ready to start their lives together.
"My San Diego County Clerk team is pulling out all the stops and offering walk-up services to make sure your summer of love is unforgettable."
For Paulette Lewis and Eduardo Sousa, it was written all over their faces -- the happiness and excitement of getting married.
The two have known each other for years and reconnected during the pandemic.
Lewis said,” Yesterday, when we came to the county to ask questions to find out what we needed to do, we just said let’s just do it and get married.”
Dronenburg said they had 1,600 people on a waiting list to get married.
Dronenburg added, “If you decide this morning to get up and get married, you can come down. Come down, get married. Love is a thing that’s there for you.”
Walk-Up Wednesday will only be offered at the Marriage Hut, located at 1600 Pacific Highway on the north side of the County Administration Center in Waterfront Park. Services will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests are welcome.
Marriage licenses, under California law, are valid for 90 only days from the date issued. Couples are encouraged to complete their applications online for faster service at www.sdarcc.com.
Other than Walk-Up Wednesdays, license and ceremony appointments are still required for Downtown, Chula Vista, San Marcos and Santee locations. The cost of a non-confidential marriage license is $70, with an additional $88 for a civil ceremony performed by county staff in English or Spanish.
