Boca Raton Marriage License
Boca Raton couples who need a marriage license apply at the Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller's office. Boca Raton sits in the southern part of Palm Beach County and has a population of about 102,000. The main clerk's office is in West Palm Beach, but Palm Beach County has several branch locations that may be more convenient depending on where you live. The marriage license process in Boca Raton follows the same state rules as every other Florida city. This guide covers fees, requirements, and where to go.
Boca Raton Quick Facts
Where Boca Raton Residents Apply
Boca Raton is in Palm Beach County. The Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller issues all marriage licenses for the county. Under Florida Statute 741.01, the clerk of the circuit court is the only office authorized to issue marriage licenses in Florida.
The main office is at 205 N. Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The phone number is (561) 355-2996. Palm Beach County operates multiple service locations, so check the clerk's website to see which branches handle marriage licenses. Not every satellite office offers every service. Boca Raton is in the southern end of Palm Beach County, so finding a closer branch (if one handles marriages) could save time.
| Main Office | 205 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (561) 355-2996 |
A marriage license from Palm Beach County works anywhere in Florida. Boca Raton couples can hold the ceremony in the city, at the beach, in a park, or even in a different county altogether.
Boca Raton Marriage License Online
The Florida Clerks and Comptrollers website provides general information about marriage licenses across all Florida counties, including Palm Beach.
You can search for existing marriage records through the Palm Beach County Clerk's online portal or through the MyFloridaCounty portal. Both tools give access to official records filed in the county. Boca Raton marriage licenses show up in these systems after the signed license is returned by the officiant and recorded by the clerk.
Marriage License Requirements in Boca Raton
Both people must go to the clerk's office together. This is mandatory. One person cannot apply on behalf of the other. Bring a valid photo ID. Driver's licenses, passports, state IDs, and military IDs are all accepted. Your Social Security number is also needed. The card is not necessary. Just know the number.
Under Florida Statute 741.04, both applicants must be 18 years old or older. A 17-year-old may apply with parental consent if the other person is within two years of age. No blood test is required in Florida. There is no residency requirement. Visitors from out of state can get a marriage license in Palm Beach County without living here.
Previously married? Have the date your last marriage ended ready. Know if it was a divorce, death, or annulment. The clerk asks about this. You must also read the Family Law Handbook from the Florida Bar before you apply. It is a quick read that the state requires of all applicants.
Note: Boca Raton couples with common children born in Florida may need to complete an affirmation form at the clerk's office.
Marriage License Cost in Boca Raton
The fee is $86. This is the standard rate set by Florida law. Every Palm Beach County location charges the same. If both applicants take a four-hour premarital course, the fee goes down to $61. Under Florida Statute 741.0305, both people must present their course completion certificates to get the reduced rate.
The $25 savings is nice, but the bigger benefit for many Boca Raton couples is that the premarital course also waives the three-day waiting period. That means your license is valid the same day you pick it up. Part of the $86 fee goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund and part to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund as required by state law.
Boca Raton Marriage License Wait Period
Florida residents face a three-day wait. The clerk gives you the license, but you cannot use it for three days. The ceremony must happen after the wait ends. The premarital course eliminates this wait. If both people are from out of state, there is no wait at all.
After the waiting period ends (or right away if waived), the license is good for 60 days. This deadline comes from Florida Statute 741.041. If 60 days pass and you have not had the ceremony, the license is void. You would need to start the process over, which means a new application and a new fee. Plan ahead so the 60-day window does not sneak up on you.
Ceremony Options for Boca Raton Couples
Under Florida Statute 741.07, judges, ordained ministers, clerks of the circuit court, and notary publics can perform weddings. Boca Raton offers plenty of venue options. The Palm Beach County Clerk may also perform civil ceremonies at the courthouse. Check with the clerk's office for ceremony availability and fees.
After the wedding, the officiant returns the signed marriage license to the Palm Beach County Clerk within 10 days. The clerk records it and forwards the information to the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics. The state keeps permanent records of all Florida marriages from June 1927 to the present.
Boca Raton Marriage Records Search
For copies of a Boca Raton marriage certificate, you can go to the Palm Beach County Clerk or contact the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. The state office is at 1217 N Pearl Street in Jacksonville. Phone: 904-359-6900. They charge $5 for a search and $4 per certified copy. Online orders through VitalChek are also available for an additional processing fee.
For recent Boca Raton records, calling the Palm Beach County Clerk at (561) 355-2996 may be the fastest route. The clerk has records of all marriages filed locally. The Florida Clerks and Comptrollers website provides general guidance about marriage records across all Florida counties.
Nearby Cities
Several cities near Boca Raton also file marriage licenses through the Palm Beach County Clerk or nearby county clerks. Browse these pages for more local details.
Palm Beach County Marriage License Records
Boca Raton is in Palm Beach County. The Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller handles all marriage license filings for the area. For the full county page with office locations and additional details, see below.