Deputy Commissioner for a Day Application – Los Angeles County, CA

The Deputy Commissioner for a Day Application is the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) form used to request an appointment to be deputized for a day so that the named person can perform a wedding ceremony for a couple. The printed title of the PDF reads "Deputy Commissioner of Civil Ceremony for a Day Application."

The form belongs to the RR/CC's Deputy Commissioner for a Day Program. It collects the name of the person to be deputized, a preferred appointment date, the names of both parties to the marriage, the ceremony date, the marriage license type and the county where the license was purchased, and the contact details of the future deputy. It also carries an acknowledgement that the applicant agrees to comply with the program requirements, with a signature and date.

Completing the form does not deputize anyone by itself. After the RR/CC receives and processes the application and payment, it contacts the applicant to confirm an appointment. The person is deputized in a virtual class held on Thursdays, where they present valid photo identification, take an oath, and sign and return a form for approval.

The county's page says the program is valid only in California. It also says the RR/CC does not maintain a registry of ordained ministers, so this form is not a way to look up or register ministers.

An individual who wants to be deputized for a day to perform a specific couple's wedding ceremony uses this application. The form asks for the person to be deputized, the couple's names, the ceremony date and the county where the marriage license was purchased.

• The county's FAQ says that a person is eligible as long as they have a valid government-issued picture ID, such as a driver's license or passport.
• The program is valid only in California, so it does not cover a ceremony performed elsewhere.
• The RR/CC says deputization is coordinated only by its headquarters office in Norwalk, not by other offices.
• The RR/CC does not keep a registry of ordained ministers. This form is not for registering ministers.

The form asks for contact information for the person to be deputized (name, address, city, state and ZIP code, daytime phone and email). The county page and the form name no other person who can apply or sign on that person's behalf.

Submit the application no earlier than two months before the ceremony date. The form states that an application submitted more than two months before the ceremony will be returned, and the county FAQ says two months ahead is enough time.

An application submitted less than one month before the ceremony date must include an expediting fee. If you need to send it by overnight delivery, the county FAQ says to call (562) 462-2082 first to request approval.

Nothing is scheduled until the application and fee have been processed. After approval, the RR/CC contacts you to confirm the appointment, and the form asks you to confirm as soon as possible. Deputization happens in a virtual class on Thursdays, starting at 10 AM. The county page describes it as taking about one hour, while the form says trainings may range from 1 to 2 hours. For an emergency in which you cannot attend on a Thursday, you may request a Special Accommodation, subject to staff availability; these are handled Monday through Friday only.

The application is submitted by mail to the RR/CC, together with payment by check or money order.

• By mail: Deputy Commissioner for a Day, Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, P.O. Box 389, Norwalk, CA 90651-0389.
• Payment: enclose a check or money order payable to Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. A fee applies, and an additional expediting fee applies if you submit less than one month before the ceremony date. Program fees are not refundable; if the officiant is not deputized, the county page says the payment can be applied to another deputy appointment within the same calendar year. Ask the RR/CC for current amounts at (562) 462-2082.
• Overnight delivery: call (562) 462-2082 first to request approval. If it is accepted, the expediting fee applies.
• Special Accommodation: contact the office to request one. It depends on staff availability, requires an additional fee and is done Monday through Friday only.

The RR/CC does not accept temporary checks or foreign checks, except those from Canada and Mexico; a request with one will be rejected and sent back. Questions can go to (562) 462-2082 or [email protected]. After approval, virtual class details (materials and link) are emailed before the class date. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.