COVID-19: Hitched at Honda Center through Marriage Services

About the Program

Category: County Administration and Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

When obtaining marriage services, California law requires couples to appear in-person before a deputy clerk. Once a safeguard, this law quickly became an impediment in the wake of Covid-19. Resuming this essential service hinged upon a number of factors, though none was more important than keeping employees safe from illness and working efficiently in an unfamiliar environment. After collaborating with Anaheim’s Honda Center, Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen opened in-person marriage services using portable ticket booths, and later the Honda Center’s box office. The Hitched at Honda Center program allowed the department to reimagine the marriage services process. Through thoughtful planning, training, and management, staff working from Honda Center were given the resources to be fully functional despite operating from a remote location. Originally intended for a limited audience, our staff had the resources and training to successfully manage unfamiliar procedures and obstacles. Staff at Honda Center ultimately provided the majority of marriage services on our department behalf during one of our busiest years yet, issuing 25% more marriage licenses and performing 37% more ceremonies than any previous year. With competent management, our department rendered services in an efficient manner despite the improvised location and with less staff.