Find Miami Beach Marriage License
Miami Beach marriage license records are handled by the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts. As a barrier island city with about 83,000 residents, Miami Beach is one of the most popular wedding spots in Florida. Couples who want a marriage license here go through the same Miami-Dade Clerk offices that serve the rest of the county. The main office sits in downtown Miami, just a short drive over the causeway. This guide covers the full process for getting a marriage license in Miami Beach, including the fees, what to bring, and how long the license lasts.
Miami Beach Quick Facts
Miami Beach Marriage License at the Clerk
Miami Beach is part of Miami-Dade County. In Florida, marriage licenses come from the county clerk, not the city. So Miami Beach couples go to a Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts office to apply. The main office is at 73 W. Flagler Street in downtown Miami. Under Florida Statute 741.01, the clerk of the circuit court is the only office that can issue a marriage license in the county.
A marriage license from Miami-Dade works anywhere in the state. You can have the ceremony right on Miami Beach, at a hotel, in a park, or even in another county. The license does not limit your choices for the ceremony location. Many couples get the license in Miami and then hold their wedding on the sand in Miami Beach, which is perfectly fine under Florida law.
How to Get a Marriage License in Miami Beach
Both people must appear at the clerk's office together. You cannot send one person to start the process. Bring a valid photo ID. The clerk takes a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. You must know your Social Security number. The card is not required, but you need the number. Both applicants should also read the Family Law Handbook from the Florida Bar before the visit. The clerk asks about it during the application.
Under Florida Statute 741.04, both people must be 18 or older. Someone who is 17 can apply with parental consent, but only if the other person is within two years of age. No blood test is needed for a Florida marriage license. There is no residency requirement. Tourists and visitors can get a Miami Beach area marriage license just like locals can, though the waiting period rules differ for residents and non-residents.
If either person was married before, come prepared with the date the prior marriage ended. Know whether it ended through divorce, death, or annulment. If you and your partner have common children born in Florida, the clerk needs an Affirmation of Common Children form. The staff can help you fill it out at the office.
Where Miami Beach Couples Apply
| Main Office | 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (305) 275-1155 |
| Website | miamidadeclerk.gov |
The drive from Miami Beach to the main clerk's office in downtown Miami takes about 15 to 25 minutes, depending on traffic over the causeways. The Miami-Dade Clerk has several branch offices around the county, though not all branches handle marriage license applications. Call (305) 275-1155 to check which branch locations near Miami Beach process marriage licenses. Walk-ins are accepted at the main office, and no appointment is needed.
Arrive with enough time before the office closes. Both people must be present for the entire application process. If you are planning a destination wedding in Miami Beach and traveling from out of state, factor in time to visit the clerk before the ceremony date.
Note: Not all Miami-Dade branch offices offer marriage license services, so always call ahead if you plan to visit a branch near Miami Beach.
Miami Beach Marriage License Fees
The cost is $86. Every Miami-Dade Clerk location charges the same amount. This fee is set by state law. A four-hour premarital course brings the fee down to $61, as outlined in Florida Statute 741.0305. Both people need to complete the course and bring proof of completion. The course also waives the three-day waiting period for Florida residents.
Other fees apply for related services. A courthouse ceremony is $30. Certified copies of the marriage license run a few dollars each. Cash and credit cards are accepted at most locations. Part of the $86 fee helps fund the Domestic Violence Trust Fund and the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund, as required by Florida law. If you lose your license before the ceremony, the clerk charges $30 for a duplicate.
Wait Period and License Validity
Florida residents must wait three days after the clerk issues the license. The license is not valid during those three days. Non-Florida residents skip the wait entirely. This matters for Miami Beach since so many couples travel here for destination weddings. If both people live out of state, there is no wait at all.
The premarital course also eliminates the wait for residents. Completing a four-hour course from an approved provider means the license is valid the same day. Once valid, the license stays good for 60 days under Florida Statute 741.041. After 60 days, it expires and you have to start over.
After the wedding, the officiant must send the signed license back to the Miami-Dade Clerk within 10 days. The clerk then files it with the Florida Department of Health for the state's permanent record. Copies of marriage certificates from 1927 onward are available through the Department of Health.
Ceremony Options in Miami Beach
Florida Statute 741.07 lists who can perform a marriage ceremony. Judges, circuit court clerks, ordained ministers, and notary public officials all qualify. Miami Beach is well known for beach weddings. Many couples hold their ceremony on the sand, at oceanfront hotels, or in one of the city's many event spaces.
The clerk's office also offers ceremonies for $30. This is a simple, no-frills option if you just need the legal ceremony taken care of. For Miami Beach couples who want something more personal, hiring an officiant and choosing your own location gives you full control. The officiant handles signing and returning the license to the clerk after the ceremony.
Search Miami Beach Marriage License Records
The Miami-Dade Clerk maintains an online records system. You can search the clerk's website for existing marriage license records filed in the county.
The MyFloridaCounty portal also connects to official records across all Florida counties. If you need a certified copy of a Miami Beach marriage certificate, order one from the clerk's office or from the Florida Department of Health. The Department of Health has marriage records going back to June 6, 1927.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Miami Beach also have marriage license information pages on this site. All of them file through Miami-Dade County or neighboring county clerks.
Miami-Dade County Marriage License Records
Miami Beach is in Miami-Dade County. The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts handles all marriage license filings for the area. For full county details, office locations, and related records, see the county page.