Every year, February 14—Valentine’s Day—is the busiest day for weddings at the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder’s Office, with dozens of couples visiting the County Government Center to obtain a marriage license or say “I do” during a civil marriage ceremony. However, Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year, which is outside the Clerk-Recorder’s regular business hours. Recognizing the high demand for weddings ceremonies on February 14, Ventura County Clerk-Recorder Michelle Ascencion has announced a special Valentine’s Day group wedding ceremony to give couples the opportunity to marry on this popular and meaningful day.
“Everyone wants to get married on Valentine’s Day—it’s very romantic,” said Clerk-Recorder Ascencion. “When Valentine’s Day is during the week, we’ll have up to 40 couples come in to tie the knot at our office, many times more than our usual schedule of about 10 ceremonies on a regular day.
“Since we know people want to get married on Valentine’s Day, we decided to open for a few hours on that Saturday to be able to accommodate the couples who want to make Valentine’s Day their wedding and future anniversary date.”
A single group ceremony will be officiated by Clerk-Recorder Ascencion at 10:00 AM in the Hall of Administration at the Ventura County Government Center, 800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura. All couples participating in the Valentine’s Day wedding event need to register through the County Clerk-Recorder’s website at ClerkRecorder.VenturaCounty.gov. They must obtain a Ventura County-issued marriage license no later than Friday, February 13.
Wedding day check-in (physical IDs required) will take place between 9:00 and 9:30 AM only. The ceremony will be performed in English with simultaneous Spanish translation and will last approximately 15 minutes. Couples are welcome and encouraged to carry flowers and exchange rings during the ceremony. Due to space restrictions, couples are limited to no more than 8 guests (for a total of 10 in their party).
Following the ceremony, the Clerk-Recorder staff will process each marriage license so couples can purchase certified copies of their marriage certificate the same day. Service will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis according to check-in order.
The ceremony fee is $60, payable by cash, check, or credit card (a $2.50 processing fee applies to each credit card transaction) and is due at check-in. Certified copies of the marriage certificate are available for $19 each after the ceremony.
Please Note:
- Marriage licenses will not be issued on Valentine’s Day; the event is ceremony only.
- Parking for the Hall of Administration is available in Lot F or Lot G.
- Couples must bring their valid, pre-purchased Ventura County marriage license and a physical ID to check-in.
- Appointments for marriage licenses may be made at ClerkRecorder.VenturaCounty.gov.
Visit the Valentine’s Day Wedding Page or call (805) 654-2263.
“Valentine’s Day is a day of love, and we love being a part of it!” Ascencion said. “We look forward to hosting this special, one-of-a-kind ceremony and celebrating many new beginnings.”
The Ventura County Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters is committed to Preserving History and Protecting Democracy for the people of Ventura County—past, present, and future. More information about the agency’s services is available 24/7 at ClerkRecorder.VenturaCounty.gov.