How Do You Get Married At SF City Hall in 2022?
Getting married is a huge milestone in anyone's life. It's a time to celebrate love and commitment with friends and family. If you're looking to get married in San Francisco City Hall, you may be wondering what the process is like. In this article, we will outline the steps you need to take to get married at SF City Hall in 2022. Keep reading to learn more.
Ways on How to Get Married at SF City Hall in 2022
If you're looking to get married, San Francisco City Hall is the place to do it. While getting married at City Hall may not be as glamorous as getting married at a fancy resort or on a beach, it's the quickest and easiest way to tie the knot.
Here are the basic steps to prepare for your Civil Ceremony City Hall wedding experience in 2022:
- San Francisco Marriage license applications: Make sure to secure your marriage license at City Hall in San Francisco.
The marriage license application can be obtained online through the city's website. The cost will vary, and you will need to provide identification for both you and your partner, as well as proof of residency. There are two types of marriage licenses: public marriage license (the most common) and confidential. If you are interested in a confidential marriage license rather than a public marriage license, you can read about the California laws and specifics here and here. Once you have your license, you can make an appointment for a civil ceremony at City Hall. Appointments are available Monday-Friday from morning until early afternoon. You will need to bring your marriage license with you when you come for your appointment. The civil ceremony at City Hall is very brief and simple, but it is a legal marriage. You can also choose to have a more elaborate ceremony elsewhere, but make sure that the officiant is registered with the state of California.
- Book your wedding at SF City Hall.
While you can technically get married anywhere in San Francisco, City Hall is the most popular spot. It's conveniently located downtown and there are a variety of photo spots nearby for post-ceremony pictures. You can book your wedding date and time online through the city's website or by calling the office of the County Clerk. Once you have your date and time booked, you will need to fill out a form with your personal information and submit it to the office. The cost of booking City Hall varies depending on the day and time of your wedding.
- Make sure you have up-to-date identification.
Both you and your partner will need to show identification when you apply for your marriage license and when you come for your civil ceremony. Make sure that your identification is up-to-date and that you have multiple forms of ID with you, just in case (at least bring your driver's license). And make sure that you have all the required documents.
- Check-in for the ceremony.
When you arrive for your ceremony, you will need to check in with the office of the County Clerk. You will need to show your marriage license and identification at this time. Once you're checked in, you can head to the Rotunda (at the top of the Grand Staircase), where you will be married by a civil officiant.
- Have your witness sign the marriage license.
After the ceremony, your witness will need to sign the marriage license and return it to the office of the County Clerk. You will also need to provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope so that the office can mail you a copy of your marriage certificate.
- Depending on the availability, you can choose your wedding location at SF City Hall.
If you're looking for a more unique elopement style wedding experience, you can try to get married in one of the other locations at SF City Hall (The 4th Floor or the Mayor's Balcony). There are a few different options, but they are all first-come, first-serve, and depend on availability. You can check the website for more information or ask when you book your wedding date. The most popular spot is the Rotunda due to the low cost, that does is just as beautiful as the rental locations.
- Wedding ceremony.
When you get married at SF City Hall, your time slot (30 minute increments) will likely include other couples. This means that you may have to wait for other couples to get married before your turn. Make sure your photography package starts at the Ceremony and does not include waiting time. The ceremony is very brief and simple(4-5 minutes). You will say your vows and exchange rings, and then you will be pronounced husband and wife. The standard City Hall Civil wedding vows are as follows:
"We are gathered here in the presence of witnesses for the purpose of uniting in matrimony ____________ and ____________.
The contract of marriage is most solemn and is not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and seriously with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities.
____________ and ____________, no other words of mine or any other person truly marry each of you to the other. That is done when you exchange your promises and commit yourselves to this marriage and each other.
By entering into this marriage, you are pledging yourselves to a lifetime in which each will enrich the life of the other. You will be partners standing together to cushion the difficulties of life. Rejoice in your partner’s graces. Nurture your marriage carefully and watch it grow gracefully.
Please face each other and join hands.
Do you _______, take ________, to be your lawful wedded (wife/spouse)? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish as long as you both shall live?
Do you _______, take ________, to be your lawful wedded (husband/spouse)? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish as long as you both shall live?
Ring Ceremony (optional)
_______, the ring, please. Place the ring on (her/his) left finger and repeat after me, “I give you this ring, in token and pledge of my constant faith and abiding love. With this ring, I thee wed.”
_______, the ring, please. Place the ring on (her/his) left finger and repeat after me, “I give you this ring, in token and pledge of my constant faith and abiding love. With this ring, I thee wed.”
You have joined yourselves in solemn matrimony. May you strive all your lives to meet this commitment with the same love and devotion that you now feel. For love is truly the greatest gift we are given to share: love’s compassion is the glory of life. Delight in each other’s company and never take the other for granted, for you are destined to enjoy the blending of your two lives.
And now, in as much as you, _______ and_________ have given and pledged your love and faithfulness, each to the other, and have declared the same by joining hands, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the State of California as Deputy Marriage Commissioner, I now pronounce you (husband and wife/spouses for life)."
After the ceremony, you will have some time to take photos. Typically, the photographer will first take family and group photos (if you have guests). We love the 4th floor for family and group photos, especially for groups over 6. There are many locations at for group photos that may have less traffic in the background, but in our opinion do not match the 4th floor for larger groups. Therefore, right after the Ceremony, we ask that the couple and guests go up the 2nd floor elevators to the 4th floor. The 4th floor is usually very busy due to it being the only place in city hall that has reliable natural light. You will usually see other couples in the background on the other side of the 4th floor. If you use us for your wedding photography, the people in the background will be edited out (all one hour or larger packages).
If you’re looking to tie the knot in an elegant and historic location, look no further than SF City Hall. While getting married at City Hall may seem like a daunting task, we hope this article has helped you make it easy. If you need more clarification or still have questions in mind, we can help. Give us a call today to find out more about how we can help make your special day perfect.
Are You Looking for a Wedding Photographer You Can Trust?
The team at San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photography are specialists in capturing the beauty of your wedding day in the magnificent surroundings of City Hall. We serve both local and destination wedding clients from all over the world. Photography packages are available for just Ceremony coverage or all-day premium photo tours with transportation included! Here’s a helpful video we put together on booking your City Hall Photography.
No matter what package you select, you will get stunning photographs that exceed your wildest dreams. Contact us today!
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