Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu Prepares Office to Record Hundreds of Anticipated Same Sex Marriages

For Immediate Release
Date:  Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Contact:  Edward McCaffrey, (415) 554-5502

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San Francisco, CA - On Wednesday, June 26, the United States Supreme Court declined to consider the appeal in the case of Dennis Hollingsworth, et al., Petitioners v. Kristin M. Perry, et al. This decision allows the District Court decision striking down Proposition 8 to stand, thereby allowing resumption of same-sex marriage in the State of California. Carmen Chu, San Francisco Assessor-Recorder said,
“Today is a great day for Californians, and a great day for the LGBT community. We can all rejoice together that inequality will not be tolerated under the law and all couples who share a love for one another can marry without obstacle or discrimination.”

The Office of the Assessor-Recorder will play a significant role in helping the thousands of couples who plan to visit City Hall in the coming months to be married.  Assessor-Recorder Chu stated, “I am proud that our staff is fully prepared and are eager to officially record these marriage licenses.  I want to ensure a smooth and efficient process for everyone during this remarkable moment in history.”

The Assessor-Recorder is responsible for recording all official documents including marriage licenses, death certificates, and real property.  For newly married couples there is no charge to record their marriage license, but there is a $14.00 fee if they wish to receive a copy of the document.

After nearly ten years since then Mayor Gavin Newsom issued 4,000 marriage licenses and five years since the Supreme Court of California overturned the state’s ban on same-sex marriage with the ruling of In re Marriage Cases, San Francisco will once again be able to marry same-sex couples.  In 2008, a constitutional amendment passed on the November ballot banning same-sex marriage, but in March of this year, the Supreme Court began to hear oral arguments on the constitutionality of California’s Prop 8 and the federal Defense of Marriage Act.  The new decision is expected to take effect in mid-to-late July of this year.

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