Couples looking to tie the knot on Valentine’s Day will need to look beyond the L.A. County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s offices — they’ll be closed Saturday because, this year, the most romantic day on the calendar falls on a Saturday.
But the Orange County Clerk-Recorder still has a “heart” … as does its counterpart down in San Diego.
“Unfortunately, we will not be able to have any of our offices open to conduct or perform any of the same day Valentine’s Day activities like in years past when it falls on weekdays,” Mike Sanchez, a spokesman for L.A. County Registrar-Recorder, told City News Service.
“This is consistent with our practice. When Valentine’s Day would fall on a Saturday or Sunday, our offices, unfortunately, would be closed, and we would not have any type of special event.”
Last year, when Valentine’s Day fell on a Friday, a total of 286 couples got hitched at the L.A. county clerk’s four offices, including 113 at the Norwalk headquarters.
L.A. Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan even gushed in 2025, “Valentine’s Day is a beautiful reminder of love and commitment, and our department is honored to be a part of such a special moment in people’s lives. Helping couples begin their journey together is a privilege we cherish, and we take pride in making the process as seamless and memorable as possible.”
Well, most years, anyway.
Like the L.A. Registrar-Recorder, Riverside County’s Assessor-Clerk-Recorder’s Office will also be closed Saturday, nixing any nuptials.
But take “heart” — the county clerks in Orange and San Diego counties are making accommodations despite the weekend timing.
Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen said offices in Anaheim, Santa Ana and Laguna Hills will be open Saturday to meet the demand for Valentine’s Day nuptials.
The offices at 222 S. Harbor Blvd. in Anaheim; 211 W. Santa Ana Blvd. in Santa Ana; and 24031 El Toro Road in Laguna Hills will be open from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. Couples can obtain marriage licenses, hold ceremonies or renew vows.
Nguyen told CNS that the last time his office handled Valentine’s Day weddings on a Saturday was in 2015 — when 223 marriage licenses were issued and 187 ceremonies were conducted.
“That was kind of cool, but I think we’ll beat those numbers (Saturday),” Nguyen said. “As of today (Friday), we have 305 appointments already for Valentine’s, so I think we’ll break the record. Ninety percent of the people will get married, so I think we’ll beat those numbers.”
Nguyen said his staff has specially decorated the offices for the day.
“For us in the Orange County Clerk-Recorders Office it is the most romantic day of the year … and my staff do amazing work to make it a special day for the couples coming in,” he said. “I will be doing some marriages myself to help out because they’re so busy. We’re going to make it a wonderful day for all the couples coming in.”
Down in San Diego, more than 150 couples are expected to be married through the county’s Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s Office, which will open its popular downtown ceremony location at the historic County Administration Center for the occasion.
Of 165 available appointments, only seven remained as of Friday.
Employees there get in the holiday spirit as well.
“They’re excited,” said San Diego Recorder/County Clerk Assistant Division Chief Denisse Levy. “Usually, they’ll wear festive attire, do a potluck. They come in and work on a volunteer basis so we have a team that loves marriages and celebrating couples.”
ARCC offices are typically closed Saturdays, but San Diego Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk Jordan Z. Marks decided to open his most popular location at County Administration Center. Marriage rooms and outdoor arbors offer a view of San Diego Bay.
“Our team loves being part of your love story,” Marks said. “While most government offices are closed on Saturdays, we are opening our doors and providing more opportunity for couples to celebrate love on Valentine’s Day.”
Meanwhile, in L.A. County this year, local lovebirds will just have to wait to say their I-Do’s … or find other accommodations.
L.A. County offers civil weddings weekdays, year-round. Civil ceremonies cost $35, while marriage licenses are $91, or $85 for confidential licenses.