February 17, 2005


Love is in the air at county clerk’s office

Valentine’s Day is still a popular day to wed for couples in Santa Clara County. The county’s Office of the Clerk Recorder, which performs civil ceremonies, reports that 39 couples scheduled marriage ceremonies for Valentine’s Day. On a typical day, the office performs about 16 marriages. On Valentine’s Day, the number could grow to accommodate as many as 65 couples. Last Monday 51 weddings were performed.

Christine and Pedro Batista and their children Pedro Jr. Batista and Crystal Batista, and their officiant, Rev. Mari Presedo.

“We prefer to have the ceremonies scheduled in advance,” said Mary Ann Barrous, marriage license supervisor. “However, there are couples who show up on Valentine’s Day without an appointment and we accommodate them.”

Last year, Valentine’s Day was on a weekend and the clerk recorder’s office was closed. However, in 2003, 64 couples were married and in 2002, 60 couples were.

“It is great that people choose Valentine’s Day,” said Supervisor Liz Kniss, chair of the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors. “Wedding days are always memorable. These couples will have the added bonus of the romance associated with Valentine’s Day.”

The county offers civil marriages as a service to the community. Apparently, it is a popular county service. Some couples come alone, others come with the pageantry of a full wedding party. Last year 2,350 couples were married by the county clerk recorder’s office in civil ceremonies. To schedule civil marriage ceremonies, call (408) 299-5664.