Find Fort Myers Marriage License

Marriage license applications in Fort Myers go through the Lee County Clerk of Courts. Fort Myers is the county seat of Lee County on Florida's Gulf Coast, with a population close to 100,000. The Lee County Clerk office on Second Street in downtown Fort Myers is where couples apply for a marriage license in person. This office also offers virtual ceremonies through Zoom, which is something not every county in Florida provides. Below you will find everything you need to know about fees, what to bring, and how the process works in Fort Myers.

Fort Myers Marriage License at Lee Clerk

Fort Myers is in Lee County, and the Lee County Clerk of Courts handles all marriage license filings. Under Florida Statute 741.01, the clerk of the circuit court issues marriage licenses in each county. The main Lee County Clerk office is right in downtown Fort Myers. This is the primary location for marriage license applications, though the clerk has additional branch offices throughout Lee County.

The Lee County Clerk marriage page has the most current information about the process. Couples can also reach the marriage license department directly by emailing marriage@leeclerk.org or calling (239) 533-5007. The staff is helpful and can answer questions before you visit.

How to Get a Marriage License in Fort Myers

Both people must go to the Lee County Clerk office at the same time. You cannot send one person alone. Each person needs a valid photo ID. The clerk accepts driver's licenses, passports, state ID cards, and military IDs. You must know your Social Security number. Bring the actual card if you have it, but the number alone works too.

If either person was married before, come prepared with the date your previous marriage ended. Know if it ended by divorce, death, or annulment. Under Florida Statute 741.04, both applicants must be 18 or older. A 17-year-old can apply with parental consent, but only if the other person is no more than two years older. No blood test is needed. There is no residency requirement for Lee County, so visitors and new residents can apply in Fort Myers without any extra steps.

Both people must also read the Family Law Handbook from the Florida Bar before applying. The clerk will ask you about this. It is a state-wide requirement for all marriage license applicants in Florida.

Note: If you and your partner have children together who were born in Florida, bring that information to the clerk's office.

Fort Myers Marriage License Records Online

The Florida Department of Health maintains marriage certificates from across the state. Visit the Florida DOH marriage certificates page to learn about ordering copies of marriage records.

For Lee County-specific records, the MyFloridaCounty portal lets you search official records filed in any Florida county. You can look up marriage licenses that have been recorded in Lee County through this system. The Lee County Clerk also maintains its own records search on the clerk website.

Marriage License Fees in Fort Myers

The fee is $86. This is the standard amount set by Florida law. The Lee County Clerk collects it at the time you apply. Cash and cards are accepted. Part of the fee funds the Domestic Violence Trust Fund and part goes to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund.

Taking a premarital course drops the fee to $61. Under Florida Statute 741.0305, couples who complete a four-hour approved course save $25 and skip the three-day waiting period. Both people must finish the course and bring proof. The Lee County Clerk's office can tell you which course providers are approved in the area.

The clerk also charges $30 for a courthouse ceremony. This fee is separate from the license cost. Virtual ceremonies via Zoom are also $30. If you need a certified copy of your marriage license later, the Lee Clerk charges a small fee for that as well.

Fort Myers Virtual Wedding Ceremonies

One feature that sets Lee County apart is virtual ceremonies. The Lee County Clerk offers ceremonies through Zoom video. This is convenient for Fort Myers couples who want a simple ceremony without going back to the courthouse. You still need to get the license in person first, but the ceremony itself can happen from home.

The virtual ceremony costs $30, the same as an in-person courthouse ceremony. A clerk or judge officiates over Zoom. You need at least one witness present, though they can also be on the video call. Under Florida Statute 741.07, clerks of the circuit court are authorized to solemnize marriages, whether in person or through approved virtual methods. Call (239) 533-5007 to schedule a virtual ceremony.

Wait Time and License Expiration

Florida residents wait three days. The license is issued the same day you apply, but it does not become valid for three calendar days. This rule applies to all Fort Myers residents. Non-Florida residents skip the wait entirely. Couples who take the premarital course also skip it.

Once valid, the license lasts 60 days. Under Florida Statute 741.041, the ceremony must happen within that window. If it does not, the license expires and you start over. After the wedding, the officiant has 10 days to return the signed license to the Lee County Clerk. The clerk records it and sends it to the Florida Department of Health for the permanent state record.

Note: The three-day waiting period starts the day after the clerk issues the license, not the day of issuance.

Who Can Perform the Ceremony

Florida law allows several types of people to officiate a wedding. You do not have to use the courthouse. Under Florida Statute 741.07, the following people can perform a marriage ceremony in Fort Myers or anywhere else in Florida:

• Licensed or ordained ministers and clergy members
• Judicial officers, including judges and justices
• Clerks of the circuit court and deputy clerks
• Notary publics licensed in Florida

Fort Myers has many venues for weddings. The waterfront along the Caloosahatchee River, local parks, and private event spaces are all popular. The license from Lee County is valid anywhere in Florida, so you can have your ceremony in Fort Myers, on the beach at Sanibel, or anywhere else in the state.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Fort Myers. Some share Lee County's clerk office, while others are in neighboring counties. Click through for marriage license details specific to each location.

Lee County Marriage License Records

Fort Myers is in Lee County, and the Lee County Clerk of Courts manages all marriage license applications and records for the area. For full details about the Lee County Clerk, branch locations, and related marriage records, see the county page.

View Lee County Marriage License Records