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Getting Married on Valentine's Day in the East Bay

County clerks are making preparations for the annual wave of people who say "I do" on Feb. 14.

If you're getting married on Valentine's Day, you're going to have plenty of company.

So you might want to make plans now.

Valentine's Day is a popular day to get hitched. It's also one of the five most popular days for marriage proposals, according to families.com.

It's probably been that way since 496 when Pope Gelasius I declared Feb. 14 as Valentine Day.

If you're getting married Feb. 14, click the "Upload" button to share a photo. Include your names and hometowns, and tell us your story in the caption.

In the East Bay, the county clerk offices are gearing up.

Contra Costa County

Contra Costa County Clerk Steve Weir said this is a busy time of the year for his office to approve marriage licenses.

The Martinez office will also be performing civic marriage ceremonies Feb. 14. Weir said the office has 44 time slots available between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. As of Monday, nine reservations had been made and he expects the other slots to be filled quickly.

"Walk-ins are accepted, but for such a busy day, an appointment is highly recommended," said Weir.

Find out how to sign up for a Valentine's Day wedding by calling the Contra Costa Clerk's office at 925-335-7900.

The clerk's office will have two ceremony rooms with two officiants overseeing weddings every 15 minutes.

You can pick up a marriage license beforehand or on Feb. 14, although if you come on Valentine's Day, you should do so two hours before your ceremony to allow for paperwork to get done.

Alameda County

The Alameda County Clerk's office will start accepting appointments Feb. 6 for its Valentine's Day weddings.

The Oakland office will perform ceremonies every half-hour that day. You can pick up a marriage license beforehand or on Feb. 14.

Once you get a license, you need to be officially married within 90 days or the license is not valid.

Find out how to sign up for Valentine's Day weddings in Alameda County by calling the County Clerk's office at 510-272-6362.

Under California law, you don't have to live in a county to obtain a marriage license there.

There are other official procedures for marriage licenses and wedding ceremonies. You can get more information on the websites of the Contra Costa County Clerk and Alameda County Clerk's.

Know anyone who is getting married on this day? Let us know, so we can pass out the congratulations.

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margot bray May 24, 2013 at 12:03 pm
When in doubt, don't. Your safety when you travel is always the most important and when you areRead More concerned about something, asking is good, but remember any town now has people with nothing better to do and your car etc. might be just what they are looking for to break in or worse. I'm a worry wart, but, no one is safe all the time even in cute, sweet, old fashioned Martinez.
Palermo May 20, 2013 at 03:32 pm
I have found it's very hard to find a parking spot there. Another negative is the number of theRead More "constant outsdoorsmen" types lurking all around. I've been confronted several times and worried about leaving my car there.
Barbara Glenn May 23, 2013 at 06:30 am
The Fire Crew worked very late into the night and into the next morning. The Police were alsoRead More working nearby, picking up some of the dead baby animals that were hit on the road, displaced by the fire.
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Beau Behan May 17, 2013 at 09:36 am
Hi Robert, Thanks for dropping in and checking out the blog. The new Patch look is so 'new' as I amRead More still learning to navigate through. Just updated it and added the link to my film review. Thanks again. Cheers!
Robert Rothgery May 17, 2013 at 09:30 am
I am happy to know that Mr. Behan's review of "STID" is now available. Might we knowRead More where it is available? Perhaps I am just an Apple lovin' technopeasant, but despite my frantic serial clicking on text without links, I could not find the actual story. Alas and alack I may never know why there is no darkness in "...Into Darkness" (or Lightness). Oh, and welcome back Jim!
Dick Duncan May 22, 2013 at 09:55 am
Do City Council members still get free parking passes as perk?
Palermo May 20, 2013 at 03:30 pm
The main reason I don't go to any of the businesses downtown is the lack of parking. What littleRead More there is is taken up by the owners of these establishments. God forbid they park somewhere else less convenient so actual paying customers can frequent their businesses.
Captain Bebops May 19, 2013 at 09:47 am
Jim, then that's yet another penalty for showing up for jury duty. The system needs a big overhaul.Read More