Orange County loves love and wants couples looking to take the marriage leap to stop by the courthouse on Leap Day Thursday, that special date that only comes once every four years.
Future honeymooners are encouraged to make an appointment first, but walk-ins are also welcome.
The Orange County Recorder's Office doesn't necessarily tolerate impulsive nuptials, but it does offer extended hours of operation for civil ceremonies at three locations, including its county offices in Anaheim, Laguna Hills and the former Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“Leap Day is the perfect setting for couples to let their love soar into an exciting chapter,” Orange County Recorder Hugh Nguyen said in a news release. “My department hopes to make couples' dreams of a joyful, perfect and romantic wedding day come true.”
Staff will be available to help prepare wedding certificates, and while walk-in weddings will be on a first-come, first-served basis, the county strongly encourages couples to schedule an appointment online. According to the county press release, an online application will need to be completed before any wedding ceremony can begin in person.
Leap day comes every four years thanks to the fact that the Earth's annual rotation around the sun lasts a little more than 365 days. The extra time accumulated results in February 29 appearing on the calendar every four years (leap year) to help the seasons align. That means couples who take the plunge on Leap Day can celebrate their wedding anniversary every four years, just in time for the Summer Olympics and presidential election.
A public marriage license in Orange County won't break the bank either, costing $61, while a confidential marriage license costs $66. A civil marriage ceremony can be performed for an additional $28, according to the registrar's office.
For those who plan to say “I do” on a leap day and still have questions (about the ceremony, not the relationship), you can call the registrar-registrar information line at (714) 834-2500 during business hours normal work, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
