San Joaquin County Marriage License Information

catherine morales

My fiancé and I are getting married tomorrow at the county clerks office. Last week we scheduled our time slot for the ceremony, we were told we could only bring two guests. I had asked if our 1 year old could attend with my mother-in-law, the clerk said yes. The clerk we did our marriage license with was very fast, efficient, and very friendly. Today I contacted the office because I wanted to see if I could have a second adult present, and seeing how my daughter is only 1, I thought that she wouldn’t really count as a guest and we could have both of our mothers present during the ceremony. When I called, a women answered and I asked, “I know there’s only two guests allowed, my 1 year old daughter is attending with my mother-in-law, does my daughter count as a second guest or may I bring someone else as well?” The receptionist replied with, “she’s breathing and has a heart beat so yes she counts as a guest”. I understand that it may have seemed like a dumb question to her, but, weather it may be a silly question or not, giving such a condescending answer is unnecessary. A simple “yes, she does count as a guest” would have been better. Look, if you work with the public you’re going to get all kinds of dumb questions, and if you can’t give an answer to these dumb questions WITHOUT an attitude, YOU NEED A DIFFERENT JOB.

Julio Alfaro (July Faro)

Terrible reception from the Caucasian lady answering the phone.