Special Saturday Hours - Increasing Access to Better Serve the Public

About the Program

Category: County Administration and Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2015

The Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department provides several essential services to the public including the issuing of marriage licenses, performing civil marriage ceremonies, issuing copies of vital records, official records and accepting passport applications. Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen wanted to make many of the services provided by his department more accessible to the public. Nguyen wanted to make it easier for couples to bring their families and friends to witness their marriage ceremony. On June 22, 2013, the Clerk-Recorder Department held its first special Saturday opening hours. The response from the community was tremendous. Staff served 347 customers, performed 53 marriage ceremonies, issuing 144 marriage licenses and accepting 20 passport applications. The department’s goal for opening one Saturday a month was to make services more accessible to busy individuals, students and working families without increasing cost to taxpayers. This program is to service the public to those who are otherwise are not able to access our services during regular hours. To increase efficiency and convenience, an online appointment system was implemented for Saturday marriage and passport services. Most recently, Nguyen opened a passports office at the department’s branch office in Laguna Hills, increasing the number of passport acceptance facilities available during the department’s special Saturday opening hours.