For most couples, a trip to the courthouse signals an end to a marriage. But this Valentine’s Day, Albuquerque’s Metropolitan Court has a special option for couples on the front end of their forever journey.
After a three-year pandemic hiatus which limited public gatherings and court availability, judges of Metro Court will perform free weddings for couples on Valentine’s Day.
“This marks the 24th year in which the Metropolitan Court Judges been have performing Valentine’s Day weddings for the public, and there’s even more excitement around the event this year with the return of in-person ceremonies,” said Presiding Civil Division Judge Frank A. Sedillo, who spearheaded the annual event and performs dozens of weddings for the public throughout the year.
Appointments, which are limited, are required in advance by calling the court at (505) 841-8285. Couples also must obtain a marriage license beforehand from the County Clerk’s Office, and two witnesses must accompany the couple on the day of the ceremony to sign the marriage license.
For information on how to obtain a marriage license, please contact the Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office at (505) 468-1243, or visit the county’s website at www.bernco.gov and look for the marriage license link.