Civil Weddings Resume After Coronavirus Shutdown In Orange County

ANAHEIM, CA —Couples in the southland have the opportunity to say "I do" in civil ceremonies starting Friday at the Honda Center in Anaheim. After closing marriage license and wedding services in mid-March, the Orange County Clerk Recorder's office has reopened services to the public. They are adhering to strict social distancing rules.

Weddings will take place in private civil ceremonies at stand-up booths, the Recorder's office says. There are a few photo opportunities for selfies after couples say "I do" but after commemorating the moment there is no reason to linger, and no large receptions to attend. Just two lives, becoming one in a time filled with uncertainty.

In a world where weddings could take up to a year to plan, with brides spending excessive amounts on gowns and decor worthy of Instagram and Pinterest, things have taken a stark turn. Still, the wedding ceremonies are no less meaningful. For one couple, it was even more so.

On Friday, the mood was one of hopefulness for better days to come as the first couple, Josemar and Tatiyana Brown of Inglewood, stepped up to say their vows.

They stood in front of a booth reminiscent of a ticket window at Disneyland for their brief ceremony with the clerks. The pair had one witness present.

Afterward they mugged for the camera, N95 masks in place, in front of an instagram worthy sign proclaiming "let the adventure begin!"

An adventure, indeed.

"It's surreal, but once this is all over we will celebrate," Josemar Brown told NBC4LA. "We've just got to get through COVID."

The Clerk-Recorder of Orange County was excited to offer marriage services again during these challenging times.

“We looked into ways of providing these services in the safest way possible due to the demand and feel that this is a great solution," ,” said Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen.

Ceremonies will look differently than couples may expect, Nguyen warned.

For couples like Josemar and Tatiyana Brown, it is the marriage, not the wedding that really matters.

Couples can tie the knot at the Honda Center in Anaheim, by appointment only, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Upon arrival at the Honda Center, couples must wait inside their cars until a staff member contacts them to approach the booth for their appointment, ensuring there is always a minimal amount of people at the wedding booths.

Clerk-Recorder staff will provide services from inside booths, ensuring a protective barrier exists between them and the couples.

They expect to offer 60 appointments a day, enabling social distancing during all weddings, ensuring the safety of couples and staff.

Here's what you need to know:

• For couples looking to obtain a marriage license, only the couple can be present. No guests allowed.
• For couples looking to obtain a public marriage license and have a ceremony performed, only the couple and one witness may be present. No guests allowed.
• For couples looking to obtain a confidential marriage license and have a ceremony performed, only the couple can be present. No guests allowed.
• Couples will need to pay fees with a check or money order made payable to the Orange County Clerk-Recorder.
• No cash or credit card payments accepted.
• Couples must present valid government-issued photo identification at their appointment.
• Next-day appointments must be scheduled before 3 p.m. the day before the appointment.

You can complete your marriage license application at the OC Recorder's online application site.

Once you're complete your application, call the Marriage Service Hotline at 714-834-2740 for more information on setting up your appointment, starting Monday.

Nguyen thanked the Honda Center, the Orange County Fairgrounds, the Mayor of Anaheim, the Orange County Sheriff's Department, OC Public Works, OC Community Resources, and especially my staff for making the wedding services possible.

Are you getting married during the time of coronavirus? Tell us all about it by emailing your Patch editor, Ashley.Ludwig@Patch.com.

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