Unbeknownst to property owners and renters, some property records in California still contain discriminatory language that promotes racial segregation in our communities.
Orange County Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman Andrew Do and Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen have teamed up to propose a proactive approach to combating discriminatory language in recorded property documents.
“Most Orange County homeowners would be shocked to know that their property records contain illegal and discriminatory language,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, Vice Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors.
“The proposal, which will be brought forth to the Board of Supervisors on September 29th, creates a program to remove discrimination from property records in Orange County,” Supervisor Do explained. “This is an important step towards removing walls and barriers to immigrant and minority communities in Orange County.”
Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen has promised to work in expediting the removal of discriminatory language from homeowners’ property records free of charge upon request.
“We want to send a clear message to homeowners in Orange County, that no matter what happened in the past, we are here to assist moving forward,” said Clerk-Recorder Nguyen.
The practice of adding racial restrictive covenants in property deeds began in the 1920s. These were agreements binding property owners not to sell or rent to specific groups because of race, creed, or color.
Despite the 1948 Shelly v. Kraemer landmark Supreme Court ruling that deemed racially restrictive housing covenants as violating the 14th Amendment, explicitly discriminatory provisions continue to remain embedded in county recorded property documents, often without property owners’ knowledge.
“For decades, Orange County has been a place in transition, enabling people from all walks of life to work together for a better future,” said Supervisor Do. “As someone who came to America as a refugee during the Vietnam War, and is now serving as a County Supervisor, I know full well the power of the American Dream, and that we must keep it alive in Orange County.”
Under California law, a county Clerk-Recorder cannot reject a document that is otherwise recordable due to a racially restrictive covenant. However, the Clerk-Recorder may refer attempts to record restrictive covenants to the District Attorney’s Office, resulting in a possible prosecution.
Past attempts by state lawmakers to remove racist covenants have failed to gain support in Sacramento. In 2009, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed AB 2204, which would have required racially restrictive covenants to be stricken from the public record during real estate transactions.
Last month, California Assemblymember Kevin McCarty announced his intent to bring forward legislation to remove racist language from real estate deeds. Supervisor Do’s proposal will also require the County’s CEO to provide an analysis of the bill when it is introduced, and any amendments necessary to justify a support position from the Board of Supervisors.
Category Archives: Hugh Nguyen
The O.C. Clerk-Recorder’s offices will reopen and resume all services on June 10
After remaining closed since March to help stop the spread of COVID-19, Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen is excited to announce the reopening of his offices to the public effective Wednesday, June 10, 2020.
The department will be offering all its services while implementing social distancing guidelines to ensure the safety of staff and customers. Services will resume at the department’s North County branch office in Anaheim, its South County branch office in Laguna Hills, at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana and at the County Administration South building at the Civic Center Plaza in Santa Ana. The department’s Westminster location will remain closed until further notice.
“I am excited to be able to offer our full array of services to the public at our offices during these challenging times,” said Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen. “We have continued working hard for the public behind closed doors. Providing our services without disruption has been our ultimate goal. We have worked hard to ensure that we will be providing these services in the safest way possible under the current circumstances. I would like to thank my staff for their hard work and for helping make this reopening possible.”
“It’s great to see an integral part of County of Orange services is re-opening to the general public under the direction of County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen,” said Chairwoman Michelle Steel, Second District. “We’d like
to thank applaud the hard work of County staff for ensuring the health and welfare of constituents are protected in order to be re-opened more fully.”
“I applaud Clerk-Recorder, Hugh Nguyen, and his incredible department for implementing innovative approaches to serve the people of Orange County during the last few months,” said Vice Chairman Andrew Do, First District. “Continuing to find innovative ways to serve residents throughout this pandemic has been difficult, but Hugh has risen to the challenge. It is encouraging to see the Clerk-Recorder’s office being selected to move into Phase 3 of the reopening plan, which will allow us to test our county’s ability to safely provide services moving forward.”
“Clerk-Record Hugh Nguyen has creatively resolved access issues to ensure Orange County residents can maintain access to vital County services throughout the past several months due to COVID-19,” said Supervisor
Donald Wagner, Third District. “It’s great to see that the public can now more fully access Clerk-Recorder services throughout the County.”
“The County of Orange is working hard to ensure we re-open more of our departments to the public and the Clerk-Recorder’s office is at the forefront of doing so,” said Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Fourth District. “My congratulations are to Hugh Nguyen and his staff for working so diligently to make his customers feel more comfortable and aware of what is re-opening.”
“County of Orange staff are committed to re-opening after COVID-19,” said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District. “Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen has shown a great deal of determination in ensuring greater public access to important County services.”
The department has been working hard to prepare the offices for this reopening and has taken the following steps to ensure a safe experience for its staff and customers:
• A Plexiglas barrier is in place at every public counter used to serve the public.
• Workstations have been spaced out six feet apart.
• The department will provide staff with masks, gloves and hand sanitizer for their workstations.
• Hand sanitizer will be available to customers in the public areas of the offices.
• The department will have masks on-hand should a customer request one during their visit.
• Social distancing floor markers and signage are in place at all locations to remind customers to social distance.
• All public kiosk/terminals have been spaced out six feet apart.
• Each location will have strategically placed stanchions to encourage one-way foot traffic to enter and exit.
• Staff will constantly clean frequently used surfaces throughout the day.
• To protect the health and well-being of customers and staff, restrooms will remain closed to the public at our Anaheim office.
Services will be available as follows:
North County Branch Office – Anaheim, South County Branch Office – Laguna Hills
• Marriage Licenses and Ceremonies – Couples must complete their marriage license application and make an
appointment online prior visiting our office. Service is by appointment only, no walk-ins. For complete details visit https://www.ocrecorder.com/services/marriage
• Real Property Document Recording Services – Only one customer may enter the office per transaction. Each transaction is limited to a maximum of three documents.
• Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates – Must complete the application online at https://www.ocrecorder.com/services/records prior to visiting our office. Only the customer requesting the service will be allowed to enter the office.
• Fictitious Business Name Statements – Must complete the statement online at https://www.ocrecorder.com/services/fictitious_business_name prior to visiting our offices. Only the customer requesting the service will be allowed to enter the office.
• Notary Public Registrations
• Copies of official records
• Environmental Impact Report Filings
• No Passport Services available at this time.
County Administration Building – Civic Center Santa Ana
• Real Property Document Recording Services – Only one customer may enter the office per transaction. Each transaction is limited to a maximum of three documents. Attorney service drop-offs and pick-ups are resumed.
• Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates – Must complete the application online at https://www.ocrecorder.com/services/records prior to visiting our office. Only the customer requesting the service will be allowed to enter the office.
• Fictitious Business Name Statements – Must complete the statement online at https://www.ocrecorder.com/services/fictitious_business_name prior to visiting our office. Only the customer requesting service will be allowed to enter the office.
• Notary Public and Professional Registrations
• Copies of official records
• Environmental Impact Report Filings
Old County Courthouse – Santa Ana
• Marriage Licenses and Ceremonies – Couples must complete their marriage license application and make an appointment online prior to visiting our office. Service is by appointment only, no walk-ins. For complete details visit https://www.ocrecorder.com/services/marriage
• OC Archives
• No Passport Services are available at this time.
The following restrictions will be in place:
Marriage Services
• Couples must complete their marriage license application and make an appointment online prior visiting our office. Marriage license applications and appointments are available at https://ocweddings.ocrecorder.com/#/.
• The department will not be accepting walk-in customers at this time. Services are by appointment only.
• For couples looking to obtain a marriage license, only the couple can be present. No guests allowed.
• For couples looking to obtain a public marriage license and have a ceremony performed, only the couple and one witness may be present. No guests allowed.
• For couples looking to obtain a confidential marriage license and have a ceremony performed, only the couple can be present. No guests allowed.
• All marriage ceremonies will be performed at the service desk/counter. Ceremony rooms are not available at this time.
The Clerk-Recorder’s offices closed to the public on March 17, 2020 due to orders from state and local health officials to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. For information on the department’s services, please call the information line at (714) 834-2500, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or visit OCRecorder.com.
The O.C. Clerk-Recorder has closed their offices and is doing their work online now
Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen closed all of his department’s office locations to the public effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, as a precautionary measure to help slow the spread of the Coronavirus also known as COVID-19.
The Clerk-Recorder believes that it is in the best interest of its customers and employees to make some temporary changes in service delivery processes and to use mail and online services as much as possible. This will reduce exposure for all parties and allow services to continue with limited interruptions. Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen has implemented the following changes in service delivery processes:
- All Clerk-Recorder office locations will be closed to the public.
- All over-the-counter service will be suspended until further notice.
- All special Saturday openings have been cancelled until further notice.
- All Marriage Services (licenses and ceremonies) will be suspended until further notice.
- All over-the-counter Document Recording Services will be suspended until further notice. All recordings may be submitted electronically or via U.S. postal service. Details on use of mail-in process will be available at OCRecorder.com
- Attorney service document recording drop-offs and pick-ups will be suspended until further notice. Recordings may be submitted via U.S. postal service.
- Passport Services have been suspended until further notice.
- All professional registrations (process server, photocopier, legal document assistant and unlawful detainer assistant registrations) will be suspended until further notice.
The services listed below can be easily requested online or by mail using the forms available at OCRecorder.com.
Again, no over-the-counter service will be available for the following services until further notice:
- Vital Records: Birth, Death and Marriage
- Fictitious Business Name Statements
- Official Record Copies
- Notary Public Registrations
- Authentications
- Environmental Impact Reports
“We are committed to upholding the highest of standards in service and safety to our customers and employees, especially during this difficult time,” said Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen. “We will remain operational and continue to provide service to the public online or by mail.”
At this time, all department employees are in good health and are practicing constant hand washing, frequent disinfecting of hard surfaces and other practices designed to minimize exposure and maintain a sanitary work
environment. Employees who are not feeling well will be staying at home.
For more information about obtaining services online or via U.S. postal service, please visit us at OCRecorder.com or call us at (714) 834-2500.
OC Clerk-Recorder has resumed marriage services, at the Honda Center of Anaheim
Effective Friday, April 17, 2020, the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department will begin offering marriage licenses and civil marriage ceremonies to couples whose marriage appointments were postponed due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
Marriage services will be available at Honda Center in Anaheim at 2695 E. Katella Ave, corner of Katella and S. Douglass Road. Service is by appointment only from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The general public can call the department’s Marriage Service Hotline (714) 834-2740 beginning Monday, April 20, 2020, to make an appointment to obtain marriage services at Honda Center.
The department will offer 60 appointments per day and will implement strict social distancing guidelines as well as other limitations to ensure the safety of the couples and staff.
The following limitations will apply:
- For couples looking to obtain a marriage license, only the couple can be present. No guests allowed.
- For couples looking to obtain a public marriage license and have a ceremony performed, only the couple and one witness may be present. No guests allowed.
- For couples looking to obtain a confidential marriage license and have a ceremony performed, only the couple can be present. No guests allowed.
- Couples will need to pay fees with a check or money order made payable to the Orange County Clerk-Recorder.
- No cash or credit card payments accepted.
- Couples must present a valid government-issued photo identification at their appointment.
- Next-day appointments must be scheduled before 3 p.m. the day prior to the appointment.
- “I am excited to be able to offer marriage services again during these challenging times,” said Clerk-Recorder
- Hugh Nguyen. “We looked into ways of providing these services in the safest way possible due to the demand
- and feel that this is a great solution. I would like to thank Honda Center, the Orange County Fairgrounds, the
- Mayor of Anaheim, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, OC Public Works, OC Community Resources and
- especially my staff for helping us make this possible.”
- Couples must complete their marriage license application online prior to calling our hotline to make an appointment.
- Marriage license applications can be completed at OCRecorder.com. Once completed, couples can call the
- department’s Marriage Services Hotline at (714) 834-2740 to make an appointment. When making an appointment,
- both parties must be on the line for verification of marriage license information.
- Clerk-Recorder staff will be providing services from inside booths to ensure that a protective barrier exists between them
- and the couples. Upon arrival at the Honda Center, couples must wait inside their cars until a staff member contacts
- them to approach the booth for their appointment. This will ensure there is always a minimal amount of people at the
- booths.
- The Clerk-Recorder’s offices were closed to the public initially on March 17, 2020, due to orders from state and local
- health officials to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Department staff has been providing some services via mail
- and online. For information about other services beside Marriage Services, please call our information line at
- (714) 834-2500, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or visit OCRecorder.com.
New OC Clerk-Recorder pilot program will make it easier to get marriage certificates
OC Clerk Recorder Hugh Nguyen officiating at a wedding
ORANGE COUNTY CLERK-RECORDER LAUNCHES PILOT PROGRAM TO HELP EXPEDITE THE ORDERING OF MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES
(Santa Ana, Calif.) — Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen is launching a pilot program that will allow couples to pre-pay for their marriage certificates upon completion of their marriage ceremony. This program will only be implemented at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana and will only apply to couples who have a ceremony performed by one of the department’s deputy commissioners of marriage on site.
The program’s goals are to help eliminate confusion as to when a couple’s marriage certificate is available for purchase, eliminate the need for couples to return to the office to purchase their certificate or request it via mail, reduce the number of phone calls to the department’s information line and help shorten lines at the department offices. It will also help eliminate the need for couples to mail in a notarized application. Continue reading
The O.C. Clerk-Recorder is now providing birth and death certificates sooner
For Immediate Release: April 21, 2016
Contact: David Cabrera, Phone: (714) 834-2083, david.cabrera@rec.ocgov.com
CLERK-RECORDER EXPEDITES AVALABILITY OF BIRTH AND DEATH CERTIFICATES TO THE PUBLIC
Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen would like to announce that his office can now offer certified copies of birth and death certificates to the public 30 days after the life event. Certificates needed within the first 30 days of an event can be obtained from the Health Care Agency.
Previously, copies of birth and death certificates were made available to the public at the Clerk-Recorder Department 60 days or more after an event. Individuals looking to obtain a record any sooner had to visit the Health Care Agency’s Birth and Death Registration location in Santa Ana. Continue reading
The Old OC Courthouse will host Valentine’s Day Marriage Ceremonies
HUGH NGUYEN, CLERK-RECORDER
For Immediate Release: February 03, 2016
Contact: David Cabrera, Phone: (714) 834-2083, david.cabrera@rec.ocgov.com
Clerk-Recorder to Offer Valentine’s Day Marriage Ceremonies
For those looking to tie the knot on Valentine’s Day, look no further. To accommodate couples, Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen will be opening the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana on this Valentine’s Day from 9 am to 2 pm to perform marriage ceremonies only, even though the special day falls on a Sunday.
In order to take advantage of this opportunity, couples must obtain a marriage license, pre-pay for their ceremony and make an appointment for this special Sunday opening prior to 3 pm, February 11. Couples can obtain and pay for their marriage license, pre-pay for their ceremony and make an appointment by visiting any of the department’s locations. Appointments are limited and will only be available to couples who have already pre-paid for their marriage license and ceremony. Continue reading
OC Clerk-Recorder celebrates 2nd year of award-winning special Saturday hours
For Immediate Release: July 09, 2015
Contact: David Cabrera, (714) 834-2083, david.cabrera@rec.ocgov.com
Clerk-Recorder Celebrates Second Year of Award Winning Special Saturday Hours to the Public
This past June 27 represented the end of the second year in which Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen has opened his offices to the public one Saturday per month. The pilot program was implemented shortly after Hugh Nguyen became the Clerk-Recorder back in April 2013. The Saturday openings have turned out to be very popular with wedding parties and other customers.
Since implementing the special Saturday openings, the department has issued 3,633 marriage licenses, performed 2,299 marriage ceremonies, and issued 1,320 vital records. The department has also accepted 438 passports applications. In addition, more than 29,582 customers and guests visited the offices to obtain services or to witness their family members or friends tie the knot at the department’s marriage facilities. Continue reading
Clerk-Recorder to offer expanded wedding Saturday hours for Valentine’s Day
Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen to Offer Expanded Wedding Saturday Hours for Upcoming Valentine’s Day
By: OC Supervisor Todd Spitzer, Portions courtesy of OC Clerk-Recorder
Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen is making it easier for couples to get married this Valentine’s Day. The Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana and the department’s branch offices in Fullerton and Laguna Hills will be open to the public from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday, February 14, 2015.
Appointments are filling up fast for couples wishing to be married on Valentine’s Day at the Clerk-Recorder’s offices. Couples are encouraged to make an appointment for a civil wedding ceremony due to the popularity of this day. Appointments can be made by visiting our website at www.ocrecorder.com and using the online appointment system. Walk-ins will be accommodated based on availability of ceremony rooms. Continue reading
O.C. Clerk-Recorder’s Swearing in Ceremony set for Jan. 2
Hugh Nguyen was reelected as the Orange County Clerk-Recorder in the November General Election. Nguyen is the first Vietnamese American to be elected to the Clerk-Recorder office in United States. He will serve over 3.1 million residents in Orange County. Nguyen, a longtime resident of Santa Ana, was previously appointed by the O.C. Board of Supervisors to complete the term of his predecessor, Tom Daly, who moved on to the 69th Assembly District.
Nguyen will be sworn in at the County of Orange Hall of Administration, located at 333 W Santa Ana Blvd, in Santa Ana, on January 2, 2015. The swearing will start promptly at 10:00 A.M. and after the swearing refreshments will be served at the Clerk-Recorder’s office. Continue reading
OC real estate professionals step up to give a pair of US Veterans a new honeymoon
Veterans Day will be even more special this year in Orange County as a group of real estate professionals has stepped up to help a pair of Veterans who happen to be married – and who suffered an unbelievable calamity.
Chris Winterton has served our Country is the United States Army for 11 years as a Staff Sargent with the 1/211 Out of Utah and with the 116th Secor while deployed in Iraq. His wife Sarah, who also served, is currently with the National Guard.
Chris and Sarah met while serving and they were married in 2011. During his 11 years of service, Chris helped build schools in Nicaragua, helped here at home with Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts and deployed to Iraq in 2007. It was during this time tragedy stuck. Chris was injured suffering a traumatic brain injury (tbi) and was hospitalized. But he did not give up! In 2012 he deployed to Afghanistan, just 6 days after his son was born, to serve another tour. Unfortunately, his injuries sustained in Iraq caught up to him and he had to take a medical discharge from his career serving our country. He now deals on a daily basis with supporting his family, PTSD and TBI. Continue reading
Reception for OC Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen set for 9/4
Hugh Nguyen, the Orange County Clerk Recorder, is hosting a private reception on September 4th, 2014, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.
The event is sponsored by First American Financial Corporation and will be held at their offices, located at 1 First American Way, in Santa Ana. Reception Location- Main Conference Room.
Please come and hear the innovative changes underway and Hugh’s plans for the future of the Orange County Clerk- Recorders Offices. Continue reading
Fundraising reception for OC Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen set for 5/1
A fundraising reception for OC Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen will be hosted by Sean Mill and Tina M. Estrada on May 1, 2014, from 6 to 8 pm, at the home of Carlos Velasquez, at 2335 Portrait Way in Tustin.
The event will feature special guests OC Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and OCDA Tony Rackauckas. Continue reading
266 OC couples married on Valentine’s Day!
Hugh Nguyen, OC Clerk-Recorder
For Immediate Release Feb. 14, 2014
Questions? Call (714) 834-2500
266 Couples Married on Valentine’s Day!
A record number of couples – 266 – were married this Valentine’s Day in civil ceremonies performed by Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen and his Deputy Clerks at the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department’s three marriage locations – breaking the long standing Valentine’s Day record of 173 couples wed in 1997.
Ceremony rooms were available at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana and at the department’s branch offices in Fullerton and Laguna Hills. This year, Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen extended operating hours for all three marriage locations in an effort to accommodate the anticipated high demand. Continue reading
O.C. Clerk-Recorder helps to put man behind real estate fraud behind bars
Hugh Nguyen, Orange County Clerk-Recorder
NEWS RELEASE, UPDATE
For Immediate Release: Dec. 19, 2013
Questions? Call (714) 834-2500
Man Behind $3.5 Million Fraudulent Real Estate Scheme Sentenced to Jail
Last Friday, convicted felon, Blair Christopher Hanlon, 50, of Long Beach, was sentenced to four years behind bars for his involvement in a fraudulent real estate scheme in which he stole more than $3.5 million from unsuspecting victims. Continue reading