In Celebration of Valentine’s Day and the 20-Year Anniversary of the Winter of Love, Assessor-Recorder Joaquín Torres Shares Marriage Data and Announces New Pilot Program for Same-Day Marriage Certificates

For Immediate Release
Date: Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Contact: Abigail Fay, abigail.fay@sfgov.org

In Celebration of Valentine’s Day and the 20-Year Anniversary of the Winter of Love, Assessor-Recorder Joaquín Torres Shares Marriage Data and Announces New Pilot Program for Same-Day Marriage Certificates

***Press Release***

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – In celebration of Valentine’s Day and the 20th Anniversary of the Winter of Love, Assessor-Recorder Joaquín Torres is pleased to share that following a decrease in marriages during the COVID-19 Pandemic, love is alive and well in San Francisco with over 9,000 public marriages recorded with our office into the permanent public record in 2023.

Additionally, as part of the Office’s ongoing work to provide a more immediate and seamless customer service experience for all those that we serve, in Spring 2024 a fixed number of newlyweds each day will be able to receive same-day copies of their Marriage Certificates, a process that can typically take up to 10 days, as part of a new pilot appointment service.

“Twenty years after the Winter of Love where San Francisco made history in issuing the first Marriage License to a same-sex couple, we continue to shine brightly as a city of hope and inclusivity for LGBTQIA+ communities across the world. It’s heartwarming to see the number of marriages increasing over the last few years in San Francisco as a testament to our energy and vibrancy,” said Assessor-Recorder Joaquín Torres. “Recording your Marriage Certificate with our office is the last box to check for many newlyweds and this new pilot program for same-day marriage certificates is a great step forward in providing a more effortless experience to all our constituents. It’s a privilege to lead an office where every day we see couples from across the country walk through our doors beaming with love, excited for the future, to get married in this great city that continually fights for equality for all.”

Same-Day Marriage Certificates Pilot Program

Beginning in Spring 2024, the Office of the Assessor-Recorder will have a certain number of appointments available each day for newlyweds who want to take advantage of this new, same-day service, saving them time and effort as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

In Spring 2024 the Assessor-Recorder's Office will issue further instructions and eligibility details, but generally, couples looking to take advantage of this new pilot service will need to meet the following requirements:

1. Obtain a valid San Francisco public marriage license issued by the County Clerk at least 24 hours prior to your same-day marriage copy appointment.
2. Make an appointment on the Assessor-Recorder's website for the date of your wedding, or a following day when you will record your Marriage License with the Assessor-Recorder's office.
3. Get married, and after the ceremony, have the marriage license signed by all the interested parties.
4. Complete a marriage certificate request form which can be found here.
5. Bring your completed marriage license, marriage certificate request, a valid photo ID and $17 marriage copy fee payment to City Hall Room 190.

Today’s announcement follows prior upgrades the Office has made to make it easier to obtain copies of Marriage Certificates in San Francisco, including the creation of an online access tool where you can order them online to be sent via mail.

For more information on how to record your Marriage License with our office and receive copies of your Marriage Certificate, you can visit our website here. To begin the process of getting married in San Francisco, you first need to obtain a marriage license issued by the County Clerk—more information on this process can be found here.

Public Marriage Data

In 2023, over 9,000 public marriages were recorded with the City, up from approximately 3,800 in marriages in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

About the Office of the Assessor-Recorder

The Office of the Assessor-Recorder's mission is to fairly and accurately identify and assess all taxable property in San Francisco, and record, secure, and provide access to property, marriage and other records.