This guide is aim to help you speed up your San Francisco City Hall wedding planning, including the “when & how”, hotels near SF city hall, what is the cost of having a San Francisco City Hall wedding and other tips to bypass all the “twists and turns”, pointing you straight to the maze exit!
The popular question from couples who are thinking about having a San Francisco City Hall wedding ceremony is when should they start planning. Although the general answer you see all over Google states “90 days“, my genuine answer is as soon as possible.
Why?
Here is a few things to consider:
- The timeline of getting your wedding dress altered and fitted usually takes 6 – 10 months for any Bay Area local bridal boutique.
- The risk of not able to find your ideal vendors available on your San Francisco City Hall wedding ceremony date.
But what if you miss the 90 days sweet spot to plan your San Francisco City Hall wedding?
Don’t sweat! I have helped couples plan their whole San Francisco City Hall Wedding within 1 month. Check out our all-inclusive San Francisco City Hall Wedding Packages and let me help off load your planning weight!
Snag Your Marriage License
First thing first, in order to legally get married in California, you need to obtain a marriage license first, then have a ceremony. But your marriage license is valid for 90 days, so don’t procrastinate too hard.
- Book an appointment online through the San Francisco County Clerk’s website. No walk-ins, folks!
- Both partners must show up in person at City Hall Room 168 with:
- A valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or alien registration card).
- $124 (credit/debit only—no cash!).
Choose Your Ceremony Type
Before you hop into booking a ceremony location for your San Francisco City Hall wedding, let’s take a look at what types of ceremony you can choose from.
Civil Ceremony (Quick & Simple, but Cute. Maximum 6 guests)
- Book an appointment online for a $111 civil ceremony officiated by a County Clerk Wedding Commissioner (again, card only). The ceremony usually happens in the rotunda, 2nd floor. But they will give you whatever space is available. You don’t get to pick.
- Want to bring your own officiant but can’t find a space online for your desired date? No problem. Just storm in and find a space that’s available at the moment. This option is perfect for my last minute planning friends. Life wouldn’t be so exciting without a bit of gambling, right?
Pro Tip: if you’d like a friend or family member to officiate your wedding ceremony, they can get ordained online for free at Universal Life Church. Or your officiant must pay $182 to register with the County Clerk as a one-day deputy marriage commissioner.
Private Ceremony (Extra Bougie & Glamorous. Can host more than 6 guests)
Rent a private space inside City Hall:
- 1-hour rental at 4th Floor Gallery or Mayor’s Balcony on weekdays for a semi private experience – $1,200.
- 2-hour rental Full City Hall Buyout on Saturdays only for true private experience – $6,000.
Pro Tip: Fridays in San Francisco City Hall is usually the busiest. Choose Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday for a quieter experience.
Whether you choose a civil ceremony or private ceremony for your San Francisco City Hall Wedding, you need at least one witness (or two if you’re feeling extra). Your photographer can be your witness 
!
Hotels Near SF City Hall
A hotel near SF City Hall can be such a great bonus to add to your wedding day. You can take your time to get ready for your ceremony and stroll in leisurely with a 10 minutes Uber ride. Check out this recommended list with some of the highlights for each hotel:
- Inn at the Opera – Literally a block away from SF City Hall! No pets allowed except service pets.
- Mansion on Sutter – The only 5-star victorian style luxury boutique hotel in SF.
- Palace Hotel – Marriot Bonvoy Hotel Reword program; Historical building with a charming dome; Pet friendly with a fee.
- The St. Regis San Francisco – Marriot Bonvoy Hotel Reward program; Large windows filled with natural light; Pet welcomed with a fee; EV charging station.
- The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco – Large windows filled with natural light; Pet Friendly with a fee.
- Hotel Nikko San Francisco – Pet friendly with a fee or you can upgrade to a luxury pet accommodation package.
- The Marker Union Square San Francisco – The longer and save; Pet friendly with a fee; Waymo autonomous ride discount
- Kimpton Hotel Enso – Lots of natural light in room; Pet allowed with a fee; EV charging station; Stay longer and save.
Tips on Your Ceremony Day
- Don’t forget to bring your marriage license!!!
- Highly recommend to use ride share like Uber, Lyft or Waymo (robot) to get to San Francisco City Hall. Or you can get chauffeur service through this 5 star local company who offers hourly rate.
- Be patient to queue for the Grand Staircase in San Francisco City Hall. It’ll be worth it!
After Ceremony - Drop off Your Marriage License and Get a Copy
Your officiant is responsible for returning the completed license to the appropriate office for recording.
After your license is recorded, it typically takes about 10 days before you can request a copy of your marriage certificate.
You can obtain a copy ($17) in several ways:
- Online: Use the Records Manager marriage access tool to order a certified or informational copy. Processing times may take up to 10 business days.
- In-Person: Visit the Assessor-Recorder’s main office at City Hall, Room 190. Complete the application form and submit it along with your payment. The recording window is open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You can schedule an appointment for more efficient in-person pick up
- By Mail: Complete and notarize the application form. Send it along with a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment to the Assessor-Recorder’s office.
Please visit the official page for more details and for special cases.
Conclusion (P.S. You Should Read It)
Now that you have all the useful information, I hope it helps you to confidently plan your San Francisco City Hall wedding. If all the information is too overwhelming. No worries! Whether you’re planning months ahead or you want to get married spontaneously last minute, I’ve got your back!