CLERK-RECORDER HUGH NGUYEN EARNS NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR CLERK-RECORDER ON WHEELS

The Office of Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen has been recognized with a 2026 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo) for the department’s innovative program, 

“Clerk-Recorder on Wheels: Reimagining Access to County Services.” The award honors forward-thinking, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.

“I am honored to receive this award and proud of what Clerk-Recorder on Wheels has achieved for our community,” said Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen. “We heard from parents, working residents, and community members who could not easily visit one of our offices because of transportation challenges, work schedules, or limited time during the day. This mobile unit allows us to bring essential Clerk-Recorder services directly to residents throughout Orange County at times and locations that better serve them. Thanks to the dedication of our outstanding staff, we remain committed to serving with innovation, integrity, and our community always in mind.”

Since its March 2025 launch, Clerk-Recorder on Wheels has transformed access to county services by delivering a fully equipped mobile unit directly to cities and communities across Orange County. The mobile unit has traveled 584 miles, completed 44 events, interacted with more than 1,700 members of the public, and provided 1,667 completed services, including 998 passport applications and photos, 645 vital records, and two dozen marriage services and business filings.

Clerk-Recorder on Wheels is designed to make services more convenient for residents facing challenges related to distance, transportation, work schedules, or language access needs. The mobile unit partners with government agencies, schools, community organizations, and local groups to bring certified copies of vital records, U.S. passport acceptance, passport photos, marriage services, property record copies, and fictitious business name filings to trusted community locations.

Each year, NACo’s Achievement Awards recognize outstanding programming in 18 categories aligned with the broad range of services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, libraries, management, information technology, health, civic engagement, and more. Launched in 1970, the program celebrates innovation in county government, and each nominated program is judged on its own merits.

Clerk-Recorder on Wheels welcomes opportunities to collaborate with new partners to expand its reach and better serve local communities. For more information on Clerk-Recorder on Wheels’ upcoming events, or to request collaboration, please visit OCCLERKRECORDER.GOV/CROW.

For more information about NACo’s Achievement Awards, visit www.naco.org.

For questions, please call the department’s call center at (714) 834-2500 during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except County holidays. Visit OCCLERKRECORDER.GOV for more details. For media inquiries, please contact Billy Le at (714) 834-2248.