Search Florida Marriage License Records
Florida marriage license records are kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in each of the state's 67 counties. Whether you need to apply for a new license, look up an old one, or get a certified copy, the process starts at your local clerk's office. The Florida Department of Health also holds marriage certificates on file going back to 1927. This guide covers how to find and get a marriage license in Florida, what it costs, and where to go in your county for help with the whole process.
Florida Marriage License Quick Facts
Florida Marriage License at the County Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court issues every marriage license in Florida. Florida Statute 741.01 puts the clerk in charge of this task. All 67 counties have their own clerk's office. You go there in person to apply. Both people must show up at the same time. A marriage license from any Florida county lets you get married anywhere in the state, so it does not matter which county you use.
The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers website walks through the full process for getting a marriage license from any county clerk in the state.
Once the clerk hands you the license, you have 60 days to hold the wedding. The person who performs the ceremony sends the signed license back to the clerk's office. That office files the record. A copy then goes to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics for permanent filing. This part of the process takes about 60 days after the ceremony date, so plan for some wait time before the state has your record on file.
How to Apply for a Florida Marriage License
Both people must go to the clerk's office in person. You can start at any county in Florida. Bring a valid photo ID like a driver's license, state ID, or passport. You also need to know your Social Security number, though you do not need to bring the card. Under Florida Statute 741.04, both parties must be at least 18 years old. A 17-year-old can apply with written consent from both parents, but the other party cannot be more than two years older.
The Florida Department of Health marriage certificates page has details on how the state tracks these records after the clerk issues your license.
If you were married before, bring the exact date your last marriage ended. You need to know if it ended by divorce, death, or annulment. The clerk will ask for this on the application form. Many counties let you fill out a pre-application online to save time at the office. Check your county clerk's website before you go.
You can use the MyFloridaCounty official records portal to find your county clerk's website and search official records that have been filed in any Florida county.
You must also read the Family Law Handbook before you apply. The Florida Bar publishes this guide in English, Spanish, and Creole. The clerk's office will ask if you have read it.
Note: No blood test is needed for a Florida marriage license.
Marriage License Fees in Florida
A standard Florida marriage license costs $86. This fee is the same at every county clerk's office in the state. If both people complete a four-hour premarital preparation course, the fee drops to $61. Florida Statute 741.0305 allows this $25 reduction. Most counties accept cash, checks, and credit cards. Some charge a small processing fee for card payments, usually around 3.5%.
Other fees may apply depending on what you need. A courthouse ceremony costs $30 in most Florida counties where clerks offer this service. Certified copies of a filed marriage license run about $3 each. If you need a duplicate or replacement license, that is typically $30. Not every county performs ceremonies, so call ahead to check.
The fee structure comes from state law. Part of the $86 fee goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund and part goes to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. These splits are set by the legislature and apply across all Florida counties.
Premarital Course for Florida Marriage License
Florida residents face a three-day waiting period after applying for a marriage license. The license is not valid until three days pass. But you can skip this wait. Take a four-hour premarital preparation course from a provider registered with your county clerk. Bring the original certificate of completion when you apply. The license becomes valid right away, and the fee drops from $86 to $61.
The course covers topics like communication skills, conflict management, financial planning, and parenting responsibilities. Both people can take it together or on their own. The provider must be registered with the clerk in your county, so check the list before you sign up. Out-of-state residents do not have to wait at all, regardless of whether they take a course.
The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers homepage can help you find the right office and check which premarital course providers are registered in your county.
Note: If only one person takes the premarital course, the waiting period is not waived.
How Long a Florida Marriage License Lasts
A Florida marriage license is good for 60 days. Florida Statute 741.041 sets this rule. If you do not hold the ceremony within 60 days, the license expires and you must apply again with a new fee. The ceremony can take place anywhere in the state. It does not have to be in the county where you got the license.
Use the Find a Clerk tool to locate any county clerk's office in Florida if you need to apply in a different county or check on your license status.
After the wedding, the officiant must return the signed license to the clerk within 10 days. The clerk records it and sends a copy to the state. Your first certified copy is usually included in the license fee.
Who Can Perform a Marriage in Florida
Florida law allows several types of people to perform a marriage. Under Florida Statute 741.07, ordained ministers, elders in communion with a church, judicial officers, clerks of the circuit court, and notaries public can all solemnize a marriage. Retired judges are included too. You do not need a specific type of ceremony. Both religious and civil ceremonies are valid under Florida law.
The Florida Department of Health even offers commemorative marriage certificates. These are decorative versions of the standard certificate. They are not needed for legal purposes but make a nice keepsake.
Some county clerks also perform ceremonies in their offices for a $30 fee. Availability varies by county, so check with your local clerk if you want a courthouse wedding.
Get Copies of Florida Marriage Certificates
The Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps marriage certificates from June 6, 1927 to the present. You can order a certified copy several ways. Walk in at 1217 N Pearl St. in Jacksonville. Mail a request to P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042. Or order online through VitalChek. The search fee is $5 for one calendar year and one certified copy. Each extra copy costs $4. A $10 rush fee applies for records before 1970 if you want same-day service.
VitalChek is the only contracted vendor for the Florida Department of Health. The state does not recommend using any other online service for ordering vital records.
Through VitalChek, the cost is $15 for the first certificate, which includes the $5 search fee and a $10 rush fee. VitalChek adds its own $7 processing fee on top of that. You can call VitalChek at 877-550-7330 to order by phone. Their full Florida portal is at vitalchek.com.
For marriages before June 6, 1927, you must contact the clerk of court in the county where the marriage license was issued. The state does not have those older records on file.
Note: Normal processing for computer-generated certificates takes 3 to 5 business days, not counting shipping time.
Find Your Florida County Clerk
Every Florida county has a Clerk of the Circuit Court who handles marriage licenses. Hours, locations, and specific procedures vary from county to county. Some accept walk-ins while others need an appointment. The Florida Department of Health and the DH-261 application form are also useful starting points if you need state-level forms before visiting the clerk.
Pick your county from the list below to get local contact info, fees, office hours, and links to their website. Each county page has the specific details you need to apply for a marriage license in that area of Florida.
Browse Florida Marriage License Records by County
Each county in Florida has its own clerk who handles marriage licenses. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources for marriage license records in that area.
Florida Marriage License in Major Cities
Residents of major Florida cities file for a marriage license at their county clerk's office. Pick a city below to learn about marriage license services in that area.