Photos: Isabella Vanderheiden, County of Humboldt

Press release from the Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder’s Office:

Couples looking to tie the knot on Valentine’s Day can take advantage of extended hours and unique ceremony locations offered by the Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder’s Office on Saturday, Feb. 14. 

In-person civil wedding ceremonies will be available, by appointment, during extended hours from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to accommodate couples who wish to make their love official on this romantic holiday. 

This year, the Clerk-Recorder’s Office will perform civil wedding ceremonies at two memorable locations.

Couples have the option to exchange vows aboard the historic Madaket and experience romance on the water with breathtaking views of Humboldt Bay as their backdrop. Couples may also choose to say “I do” surrounded by knowledge and history at the Humboldt County Public Library’s beautiful Humboldt Room in Eureka. The Humboldt Room offers an elegant, intimate indoor setting with a fantastic view of Humboldt Bay from the library’s second floor. 

Ceremonies scheduled at both locations will be held rain or shine.

How to Book a Valentine’s Day Wedding Ceremony

Civil wedding ceremony bookings must be done in person at the Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder’s office. The fee to book a wedding ceremony is $100. Spanish language ceremonies are available upon request.

Due to high demand, couples must book their Valentine’s Day ceremonies no later than Wednesday, Feb. 11 and are reminded that a marriage license is required for a wedding to be performed. 

All couples must arrive to their ceremony with marriage license materials on hand. 

How to Obtain a Marriage License

A marriage license can be obtained up to 90 days before the ceremony date. A marriage license application may be completed in person in the Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder’s office, or you may begin the application process online at tinyurl.com/HumCoWeddings. 

Please note that the couple must appear in person to complete the application process and provide a valid government-issued ID. The marriage license application process takes about 30 minutes and costs $78 for a public license or $80 for a confidential license.

Choose Your Own Wedding Officiant

Couples can make prior arrangements with the Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder’s Office for the ceremony to be performed by a person of their choice, age 18 or older. The persoAbout the Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder’s Office About the Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder’s Office n must be an ordained officiant or deputized to perform the ceremony in advance by the Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder. The fee to be deputized to officiate a wedding ceremony is $55. The Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder’s Office will provide comprehensive wedding ceremony packets containing ceremony wording, instructions and sample license completion guides for all officiants.

For more information or to schedule your wedding ceremony, please call 707-445-7593 or visit HumboldtGov.org/Clerk-Recorder

About the Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder’s Office

The Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder’s Office maintains vital records and provides essential services to the public, including the issuance of marriage licenses and performance of civil marriage ceremonies. The office is committed to providing efficient, professional service to all Humboldt County residents. For more information on services the Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder’s office provides, please visit humboldtgov.org/Clerk-Recorder