County Clerk holiday hours are the one detail that can quietly derail a Thanksgiving or Christmas wedding. Here is the day-by-day picture for San Francisco City Hall and the Marin County Civic Center, so you know exactly when you can pick up your marriage license.
Questions about your date? Call or text me at 415-302-0444.
⚠️ The building is open. The office may not be.
This is where most of the confusion comes from. San Francisco City Hall stays open to the public until 8 pm on weekdays, but the County Clerk stops processing at 4 pm. The Marin Civic Center opens at 9, but the Clerk stops taking walk-ins at 3:30 pm. “Open” on a website usually means the building, not the counter you need.
The Short Version
- Both offices are closed Thursday, Nov 26 and Friday, Nov 27 (Thanksgiving + the day after).
- Both offices are closed Friday, Dec 25 (Christmas).
- Your last day to get a license before Thanksgiving weekend is Wednesday, Nov 25. Before Christmas, it’s Thursday, Dec 24.
- You need the license before the ceremony, and it’s good for 90 days. So get it early and relax.
Thanksgiving Week County Clerk Holiday Hours (Nov 23–27, 2026)
| Day | SF City Hall Clerk | Marin Civic Center Clerk |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, Nov 23 | Open 8 am–4 pm | Open walk-ins 9 am–3:30 pm |
| Tue, Nov 24 | Open 8 am–4 pm | Open walk-ins 9 am–3:30 pm |
| Wed, Nov 25 | Open 8 am–4 pm | Open walk-ins 9 am–3:30 pm |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Closed Thanksgiving | Closed Thanksgiving |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Closed Day after Thanksgiving | Closed Day after Thanksgiving |
Planning a ceremony over Thanksgiving weekend while the family’s in town? Pick up your license Monday through Wednesday. Wednesday is the busiest of the three, so go earlier in the week if you can.
Christmas Week County Clerk Holiday Hours (Dec 21–25, 2026)
| Day | SF City Hall Clerk | Marin Civic Center Clerk |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, Dec 21 | Open 8 am–4 pm | Open walk-ins 9 am–3:30 pm |
| Tue, Dec 22 | Open 8 am–4 pm | Open walk-ins 9 am–3:30 pm |
| Wed, Dec 23 | Open 8 am–4 pm | Open walk-ins 9 am–3:30 pm |
| Thu, Dec 24 | Call ahead Not a City holiday | Call ahead Not a County holiday; Marin has closed at noon on Christmas Eve in some past years |
| Fri, Dec 25 | Closed Christmas | Closed Christmas |
Christmas Eve is the day to be careful about. Neither county lists it as a holiday, but counties often trim hours that afternoon, and the announcement usually comes out in mid-December. Don’t make Dec 24 your license day. Aim for Dec 21–23.
🎆 Looking ahead to New Year’s
Both offices are also closed Friday, Jan 1, 2027. If you’re planning a New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day ceremony, get your license the week of Dec 28. That gives you a buffer in case New Year’s Eve hours get cut short too.
Office Basics: Where to Go
San Francisco City Hall
- Office of the County Clerk, Room 160, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
- Processing hours: Monday–Friday, 8 am–4 pm
- Marriage licenses are by appointment. Book online, and expect holiday weeks to fill fast.
- Phone: 415-554-4950
Marin County Civic Center
- County Clerk, Room 234 (second floor), 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael
- Marriage licenses are walk-in, Monday–Friday, 9 am–3:30 pm. Allow at least 15 minutes.
- Both of you must come in together, each with a valid photo ID.
- Phone: 415-473-6772
Good to know: a California marriage license from either county works anywhere in the state. You can get your license in Marin and marry in San Francisco, or the other way around.
Let Me Handle the Timing
I’ve officiated Bay Area weddings for decades. I’ll make sure your license and ceremony line up with the holiday schedule.
📞 Call or Text 415-302-0444Holiday Ceremony Packages
Planning a holiday wedding? Read my Thanksgiving wedding guide, the San Francisco City Hall wedding guide, or browse the Guide Library.
Hours are from the San Francisco and Marin County websites as of November 2026. Counties can change holiday hours with little notice, so please call the office before you go. I’ll update this post if either county announces changes.