In his role as County Clerk, Smith not only issues marriage licenses, but has facilities at the County Administration Building to conduct the wedding ceremonies. Fees are $50 for a license, and $50 for a ceremony. The marriage may be performed in a small wedding chapel inside the County Administration at 1600 Pacific Coast Highway, or may be performed in a variety of picturesque locations near the entrance of the building across from San Diego Bay. There also is a branch location in Kearny Mesa.

If you don't want a bureaucrat marrying you, you can have someone appointed as a deputy marriage commissioner for a day and that person can officiate at your wedding, Smith told HERITAGE.

"One of the first times we did this, the father was dying of cancer and he wanted to perform the ceremony for his son," Smith said. "The law has always been around permitting this, only most county clerks don't advertise it. We believe in providing people options, choices."

Smith's office also sells a variety of souvenirs for wedding couples. ""We can sell you a video of your wedding, or a Polaroid of your wedding, and our newest thing is a pen. Have you seen the President of the United States sign a bill and then give the pen away? Well, we will sell you the pen with which you sign your marriage license, and put it in a very lovely box."
-- Donald H. Harrison