Salt Lake County Clerk’s office not opening today to issue marriage licenses

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Another rumor that a county clerk’s office would open today has been debunked.

Salt Lake County Councilman Arlyn Bradshaw said that the Salt Lake County Clerk’s office would not open today.

“Unfortunately, they are not opening today,” he said. “Sherrie [Swensen] did not want to make the staff come in on the Saturday before Christmas, the same staff that was there late last night.”

Staffers stayed until past 7 p.m. last night after hundreds of couples line up outside the clerk’s office door to request marriage licenses. At 5 p.m., the staffers found the last couple in line and said they would work until that couple was issued a license, or 7 p.m., whichever came later. At 7:10 p.m. that couple made it through the process.

Under state law, only deputized clerks can issue marriage licenses. That law also requires a waiting period for newly-deputized clerks, making it impossible to bring in more help to address the new couples.

“They will be open and ready, fully staffed, on Monday morning,” Bradshaw said.