City and County of San Francisco exact answer
Who can perform a marriage ceremony for a license from City and County of San Francisco?
This answer belongs to the issuing office and task named above. It does not substitute a statewide summary or infer a rule the office does not publish.
Direct answer
In City and County of San Francisco, the ceremony must be performed by someone authorised to solemnize marriages in California. County Clerk commissioners perform civil ceremonies at City Hall by reservation for parties of 6 guests or fewer; larger parties, and weekend or holiday ceremonies, are booked through City Hall Events instead, and walk-ins are not accepted. The Clerk also performs ceremonies at a San Francisco location of the couple's choosing. Anyone over 18 can be deputised to perform one specific ceremony: they must appear in person at the Office of the County Clerk with valid legal photo identification, be fluent in English, and take an oath of office. Deputisation is granted only on a San Francisco-issued license, the ceremony must be performed in California, and the service is walk-in only, Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 11 am. The Clerk does not publish a registration requirement for outside officiants.
Published rule and conditions
- Officiant and ceremony rule
- The ceremony must be performed by someone authorised to solemnize marriages in California. County Clerk commissioners perform civil ceremonies at City Hall by reservation for parties of 6 guests or fewer; larger parties, and weekend or holiday ceremonies, are booked through City Hall Events instead, and walk-ins are not accepted. The Clerk also performs ceremonies at a San Francisco location of the couple's choosing. Anyone over 18 can be deputised to perform one specific ceremony: they must appear in person at the Office of the County Clerk with valid legal photo identification, be fluent in English, and take an oath of office. Deputisation is granted only on a San Francisco-issued license, the ceremony must be performed in California, and the service is walk-in only, Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 11 am.
The Clerk does not publish a registration requirement for outside officiants.
Official requirementA civil marriage ceremony may only be performed for 2 unmarried persons who present a valid original California marriage license prior to the ceremony.
Issuing office
San Francisco Office of the County Clerk
Official sources for this answer
- Have a civil marriage or domestic partnership ceremony at City HallSan Francisco Office of the County Clerk - checked July 26, 2026
Make a reservation for an in-person ceremony with 6 or fewer guests. Walk-ins are not allowed. A civil marriage ceremony may only be performed for 2 unmarried persons who present a valid original California marriage license prior to the ceremony. Bring your original government-issued marriage license on the day of your ceremony. They will not be available for purchase on the same day as your ceremony. Be prepared for your civil ceremony appointment with the following: Valid, authentic, legal government-issued photo identification for each person. A valid, unexpired, marriage license issued by a California County. Photocopies are not acceptable. 1 witness if you are presenting a public marriage license. No witness is required if presenting a confidential marriage license.
- Fees for County Clerk ServicesSan Francisco Office of the County Clerk - checked July 26, 2026
Marriage License Services *New Fees Below Effective July 1, 2026 Public Marriage License......................................$129 Confidential Marriage License.............................$129 Duplicate Copy of Marriage License....................$30 Amendment to Confidential Marriage License.....$37. Civil Marriage Ceremonies *New Fees Below Effective July 1, 2026 Civil Marriage Ceremony..........................................................$113 (City Hall, office hours, by appointment) Civil Marriage Ceremony, offsite, weekends, holidays........$336 (Fee at the time of reservation $186, commissioners fee at ceremony $150) One-Day Deputy Marriage Commissioner..............................$186. Methods of Payment In-person Payments Cash, checks, money orders, cashier's checks, all major debit and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express), Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Checks, money orders, and cashier's checks made payable to SF County Clerk. We do not accept foreign checks. Mailed Payments Checks, money orders, and cashier's checks. Online Payments All major debit and credit cards, and checking accounts.
- Become a deputy marriage commissioner for a daySan Francisco Office of the County Clerk - checked July 26, 2026
Anyone over 18 can get authorized to perform a civil marriage ceremony for a specific couple. You must have a San Francisco County-issued marriage license. Your ceremony must take place in California. Deputization will only be granted on a San Francisco County-issued marriage license. Deputization may occur immediately after the San Francisco marriage license is issued to the couple or up to the specific ceremony date. This person must: Appear in person in the Office of the County Clerk with valid legal photo identification, Be at least 18 years old, Be fluent in English, Be willing to take the oath of office. Deputization service is only offered on a walk-in basis Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 11 am. The process takes approximately 30 minutes.
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MarriageLicenseCheck is an independent reference, not the issuing office or legal advice. Applicant facts, timing, prior marriages, and document type can change the result. The official office decides what it will accept.
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