Find Clearwater Marriage License
Marriage license applications in Clearwater are handled by the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Clearwater is the county seat of Pinellas County, which makes it home to the main clerk's office. With around 117,000 residents, Clearwater is one of the larger cities in the Tampa Bay area. Couples can walk into the clerk's office at the Pinellas County Courthouse right in downtown Clearwater. The process is straightforward, and this page covers the fees, what to bring, and how the waiting period works.
Clearwater Quick Facts
Clearwater Marriage License at Pinellas Clerk
Clearwater is the county seat of Pinellas County, so the main clerk's office is right here in the city. The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court handles all marriage licenses for the county. Under Florida Statute 741.01, it is the clerk of the circuit court who issues marriage licenses in Florida. No city office does this.
The main office is at the Pinellas County Courthouse, 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756. The phone number is (727) 464-3341. The Pinellas County Clerk website has details on marriage license services and other office locations in the county. Clearwater residents have the advantage of being close to the primary courthouse, which tends to have the most staff available.
A marriage license from Pinellas County is valid anywhere in Florida. You can hold the ceremony in Clearwater, on Clearwater Beach, in St. Petersburg, or in any other part of the state. The license does not limit where the wedding takes place.
Clearwater Marriage License Online Tools
The Pinellas County Clerk homepage provides information about marriage licenses and other court services.
You can search for existing marriage records through the Pinellas Clerk's online portal. The MyFloridaCounty portal also provides access to official records across all 67 Florida counties. If you need to look up a Clearwater marriage license that was already filed, these tools can help.
Marriage License Requirements in Clearwater
Both people must appear in person. No exceptions. Bring a valid photo ID. The clerk accepts a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. You need your Social Security number too. You do not have to bring the physical card. Just know the number. The clerk will ask for it during the application.
Under Florida Statute 741.04, both applicants must be 18 or older. A 17-year-old may apply with parental consent, but the other party cannot be more than two years older. No blood test is needed. Florida stopped that requirement back in 1986. There is also no residency requirement. Visitors and out-of-state residents can apply for a marriage license in Clearwater just like locals can.
If you were married before, bring the exact date your last marriage ended. Know whether it ended by divorce, death, or annulment. The clerk will ask. Both applicants must also read the Family Law Handbook published by the Florida Bar before applying. This is a state requirement.
Note: If you and your partner have children together who were born in Florida, the clerk may ask you to fill out an additional form about those children.
Clearwater Marriage License Cost
The standard fee is $86. This is the same across all of Pinellas County and is set by Florida law. If both people complete a four-hour premarital course, the fee goes down to $61. That saves you $25. Under Florida Statute 741.0305, you must bring proof of course completion to get the reduced rate. Both people have to finish the course, not just one.
Part of the license fee goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund and part to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. These are mandatory allocations. The Pinellas Clerk accepts payment at the Clearwater courthouse when you apply. Check with the office for accepted payment methods, as some locations take cash and cards while others may vary.
Waiting Period for Clearwater Licenses
Florida residents wait three days. After the clerk issues the license, you cannot use it for three full days. The ceremony has to happen after that wait. This is a state rule. If both people complete the premarital course, the wait goes away. The license is valid right away. Non-residents of Florida also skip the three-day wait entirely.
Under Florida Statute 741.041, the license expires 60 days after it becomes valid. If the ceremony does not happen within those 60 days, you have to start over. That means a new application and a new fee. Clearwater couples should plan accordingly, especially if they are coordinating with a venue or officiant that has a set date.
Ceremony Options in Clearwater
Under Florida Statute 741.07, ordained ministers, judges, clerks of the circuit court, and notary publics can all solemnize a marriage in Florida. You have a lot of options. The Pinellas Clerk can perform a civil ceremony at the courthouse. Many Clearwater couples choose beach ceremonies on Clearwater Beach or at one of the local parks.
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed marriage license to the Pinellas County Clerk within 10 days. The clerk records it and sends the information to the Florida Department of Health for the permanent state record. If the officiant does not return the license on time, it can cause problems with your official record.
For copies of a Clearwater marriage certificate, you can go to the Pinellas Clerk's office or order from the state. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps records from June 1927 to the present. You can also use VitalChek to order certified copies online for an additional processing fee.
Premarital Course for Clearwater Couples
The four-hour premarital course is worth considering. It saves $25 on the fee and removes the three-day wait. The course covers communication, conflict resolution, and financial planning. Both people must complete it. Online courses are available from state-approved providers.
Bring the course completion certificates when you apply at the Clearwater clerk's office. The certificates have to be from an approved provider. If you are not sure whether a course qualifies, check with the Pinellas Clerk before signing up. The Florida Clerks and Comptrollers website has general guidance on marriage license procedures across the state.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Clearwater also handle marriage licenses through their respective county clerks. Browse them for more local details.
Pinellas County Marriage License Records
Clearwater is the county seat of Pinellas County. The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court handles all marriage license filings for the area. For the full county page with additional details and office locations, see below.