Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk — Attraction in Norwalk

If I had any choice, I would never return to this office. We got turned away for a marriage license over a matter of 5 minutes! We had to make an appointment months in advance. We took the day off from work. We drove over an hour to get there. Then, because there was unexpected traffic and construction near their building, we got there 10 minutes after our appointment time. The security guard told us that if we were only 5 minutes late they'd still let us in, but 10 minutes? That's impossible! The supervisor Miguel was completely unsympathetic and of absolutely no help. We asked if there's any way to still be squeezed in, he said no. We asked if we could wait around and have someone else's appointment slot if they didn't show up, he said no. He just kept telling us there was nothing he could do. No, Miguel, there's plenty you could do, you just chose not to do it. All we needed was a marriage license. Miguel probably could have processed it in less time than he spent stonewalling us. You'd think in times like these people would show a little compassion. But instead, because of 5 measly minutes, Miguel made my fiancee cry on what should have been a joyous day. I hope he's proud of himself.

P.S. If you are unfortunate enough to be forced to deal with this office, be sure to bring your checkbook. They add on an extra fee if you want to pay by credit card (something no private business is allowed to get away with). And even though their website states quite clearly that they accept cash, they in fact refuse to do so. Look, I understand not wanting to handle cash during a pandemic. But if that's going to be your policy, spend two minutes updating your website so...

Update; I guess after (3) calls the third time was a charm...I finally received the death certificate 05.13.2025, and it was date stamped May 6th the next day after I called to ask was it sent yet...Someone finally did their job! Shame on Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder / County Clerk. I retired from LA County after (35) years because of this type of lackadaisical work ethic amongst the employees...When you know better you do better!

Update; I drove to Norwalk, CA from Arizona on Monday, 05.12.2025 to retrieve my daughter's death certificate that I still have not received...The employee that waited on me asked me how to check to see if I actually ordered the document!!!! Girl, you work there you should know all aspects of the job function you are performing. I now have paid for (2) death certificates but I still only have (1)...$48.00 + $1.75 for the transaction and $100.00 in gas! Thank You Los Angeles County for the added stress:( ...I see why they have 3.8 stars...Allegedly, the document was mailed on May 6th...

I ordered a certified death certificate in February and still have not received it. I called a month later and was advised to wait another month. I called today and was told I could have someone (family member) come and pick it up for another fee! I live in another state so that makes no sense to suggest and to pay for the document again that I have yet to receive! I was told they have a (1) time free reissuance with a supervisor's approval. I'm very disappointed in the service yet I understand they may be behind from the recent fires...However, it does not take a month for the mail...

What a JOKE! When my Drivers Lic. expired the DMV told me that I needed to show them my Birth Certificate to prove that I was not a terrorist and renew it even though they had been issuing me a Lic. for the past forty years. But since it was expired it was no longer a valid ID. So in order to get a copy of my Birth Cert. I needed to have a certificate of identity signed and Notarized but every Notary I spoke to said that I would need a VALID Drivers Lic. to have them complete the form. Apparently when you have not paid your driving TAX they no longer believe that you are the person on the "expired" Lic. Finally I found a Notary that knew me and was willing to Notarize the form so I sent everything off to the LA County Clerk including the stamped envelope and waited... and waited. Finally the Certificate arrived AND IT WAS SOMEBODY ELSE'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE! It is good for that person that I am honest or I could have easily stolen their identity and ruined their life. When I called the clerks office they acted like it was no big deal and they often send other peoples identity to the wrong person. In the mean time they are holding my certificate hostage until I send the other persons back to them. With all of the run around I went through to "prove" to them that I was still me this clerks office did not seem to care to even read the certificate that they sent out. Now I am still waiting for mine and they said they would need to order it from the state to boot... So if you live in LA County and have had your identity stolen there is a good chance that it started in this clerks...