frequently asked questions
When should we book Love in San Francisco for our ceremony?
Most couples book us at least a few months in advanced, once they reserve their date and appointment. Ceremonies at City Hall happen every day, at every hour — contact us to save your date!
What is the best day and time to get married at City Hall?
The least busy days are mid-week, typically Mondays and Tuesdays. Fridays are typically much more crowded than the rest of the week with other couples and tourists. The least crowded times in City Hall are in the early morning and late afternoon. Even with other couples and tourists, we do our very best to make your photos feel as if you’re the only one around!
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GET MARRIED AT SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL?
The marriage license itself is $124, and the civil ceremony is $108. There are also options to rent spaces for more private weddings on either the fourth floor or the Mayor’s Balcony, starting at $1,000; visit or call the Events Office at City Hall for more info (room 495, 415-554-6086).
how DO I GET A MARRIAGE LICENSE?
To get your marriage license, you must book an appointment with the Office of the County Clerk. Once you obtain your license, the ceremony must take place within 90 days from the date that your license issued.
How do i get a copy of my marriage certificate?
You'll be able to obtain a copy of your marriage certificate 10 days after your marriage license is received from the person conducting your ceremony. The County Clerk will be able to issue you a certified copy of the record for a $15 fee.
Your marriage certificate can be obtained in person, online, or requested by phone at 800-708-6733. Learn more about the process at the Office of the County Clerk official website.
Where do we get our marriage license?
The couple should arrive at Room 168’s Information Desk ready to check-in 5 minutes before your appointment time with your witnesses close by. Your other guests can wait for you in the waiting area (a long corridor with seating) near room 168.
Do we need to bring witnesses?
With regular wedding license, you can have up to two witnesses. If you don’t have one, we are happy and honored to serve as your witnesses!
How many guests can I bring with me?
Weddings in the Rotunda are limited to 6 guests, as the space is limited. The rule is often flexible, but please be respectful of other's ceremonies and the space.
How long is the ceremony?
Ceremonies taking place in the Rotunda usually last around 5-10 minutes. So, be sure to savor it as it will be going by very quickly! If you book a private wedding on the fourth four or Mayor’s Balcony, ceremonies can last 1-2 hours.
Where will the ceremony take place?
Most civil ceremonies will be in the Rotunda, on the second floor at the top of the grand staircase. In rare cases, on slow days, you make be asked by your officiant if you would like to have your ceremony at one of the other locations around city hall like the Mayor’s Balcony or the 4th Floor.
You can also reserve the North and South 4th Floor Galleries and the Mayor’s Balcony for a fee, which are a great option for couples with larger number of guests or couples looking for a more private ceremony.
Do we get the marriage license the same
time that we get married?
You will need to make 2 separate appointments to get married at City Hall. The first one is to get your marriage license and the 2nd is for your ceremony. You can get your license anytime 90 days before your wedding but typically we recommend to get it on the same day as your Ceremony or the day before. If you want to get your marriage license the same day as your ceremony, we recommend making the appointment 1 hour before your ceremony appointment. This gives you plenty of time to get your license without having to arrive at City Hall too early before your Ceremony.
Do we get the marriage license the same time that we get married?
Do I need to hire an officiant for my ceremony?
If you are booking a general ceremony at the Rotunda then City Hall will provide you with a judge for your ceremony. If you reserve one of the other locations at City Hall, the 4th Floor Galleries or the Mayor’s Balcony, you will need to find and book your own officiant for the ceremony.
We are interested in going to another location after City Hall. What are some good locations for photographs?
We love exploring San Francisco! Take a look at our Pricing for some of our favorite second locations.
how do we get to city hall and where do we park?
The easiest way to get to city is to take a taxi or car service to avoid the trouble of parking. There is a central underground parking garage, Civic Center Garage, right in front of City Hall between Polk Street and Larkin Street, as well as street parking.
we are traveling from another country, can we get married at city hall?
we are traveling from another country,
can we get married at city hall?
Yes! California residency and US citizenship is not required for marriage in California. As long as you have a valid passport, you may register for your marriage license. Your marriage certificate will be mailed to you in 2 weeks.
