Vested Power

One of the fun things about getting married in California is that anyone can perform the ceremony. Here’s how to be deputized for a day: Write a letter to Joseph E. Holland requesting appointment as a Deputy Commissioner of Civil Ceremonies for the purpose of one specific marriage ceremony. The letter should be addressed to: S.B. County Recorder, Attn: Bev Curren, PO Box 159, Santa Barbara, CA 93102. Curren can also be reached at bcurren@co.santa-barbara.ca.us; 568-2264 (phone); 568-2262 (fax).

The letter should include the following information:

• Full name of bride

• Full name of groom

• Date of ceremony

• Location of ceremony (must be in California)

• Full name of person who will be performing the ceremony

• Address and phone number of person who will be performing the ceremony

• Address and phone number of person writing the letter

If Mr. Holland approves the request, Bev Curren will call the applicant to set up a time and date to come into the office (the Hall of Records in the Santa Barbara County Courthouse) and be sworn in.

The swearing in and instructional speech take about 15 minutes. A $35 fee is due at the time of swearing in.