Search Miami Marriage License Records

Miami marriage license applications go through the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts. With close to half a million people living in the city, Miami is one of the busiest places in Florida for marriage license filings. The clerk's main office sits on West Flagler Street in downtown Miami. Several branch locations also serve residents across the county. Whether you need to apply for a new marriage license or look up an existing record, this guide walks through the full process for Miami residents and couples planning to marry in the area.

Miami-Dade County Issues Miami Marriage Licenses

Miami is the county seat of Miami-Dade County. The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts handles all marriage license applications for the city and the rest of the county. Under Florida Statute 741.01, the clerk of the circuit court is the only office that can issue a marriage license. Every couple in Miami must go through this office.

Miami-Dade is the most populous county in Florida. Multiple service locations are open across the county so you do not have to go to the downtown office if another branch is closer. The clerk's website lists all open locations and their hours. A marriage license from Miami-Dade County is valid anywhere in the state, which means you can get your license in Miami and hold the wedding in Key West, Orlando, or any other Florida city.

For the full county page with more details, visit the Miami-Dade County marriage license page.

Marriage License Clerk Office in Miami

The main clerk's office in Miami is at the downtown courthouse on West Flagler Street. This is where most Miami residents go to apply. Both people must be there at the same time. Walk-ins are accepted. The office is busy, so plan for some wait time during peak hours. Getting there early helps.

The Miami-Dade Clerk also provides services through the county government portal. You can find additional information about clerk services on the Miami-Dade County clerk services page, which covers a range of recording and court functions beyond just marriage licenses.

Note: Multiple branch locations serve Miami-Dade County residents, so check the clerk's website for the one closest to you.

How to Get a Marriage License in Miami

Both people must visit the Miami-Dade Clerk's office in person. No one can apply alone. Bring a valid photo ID like a driver's license, state ID, or passport. You need to know your Social Security number. The card itself is not required. Under Florida Statute 741.04, both applicants must be at least 18 years old. A 17-year-old may apply with written consent from both parents if the other party is not more than two years older.

If either person was married before, you need the exact date the prior marriage ended. Bring information on whether it ended by divorce, death, or annulment. The state and county of the divorce are also asked for on the application. Miami couples should also read the Family Law Handbook before visiting the clerk. The Florida Bar publishes it in English, Spanish, and Creole.

The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers website provides a full rundown of what is needed for a marriage license at any Florida clerk's office including Miami-Dade. The process is mostly the same across all 67 counties, though some local details may differ.

Miami Marriage License Fees and Costs

A standard marriage license in Miami costs $86. That is the same fee at every county clerk's office in Florida. If both people finish a four-hour premarital course before applying, the fee drops to $61. Florida Statute 741.0305 allows this $25 reduction. You must bring the original certificate from the course when you apply at the Miami-Dade Clerk's office.

Other costs may come up depending on what you need. Certified copies of a filed marriage license cost about $3 each. Not all Miami-Dade locations accept all payment types. Some may only take cash. Call ahead to check what the office nearest you accepts.

Part of the $86 fee goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund and part to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. These allocations are set by the state legislature. They apply equally across Miami and all other Florida counties.

Note: Credit card payments may come with a small processing fee at the Miami-Dade Clerk's office.

Waiting Period for Miami Marriage Licenses

Florida residents who apply for a marriage license in Miami face a three-day waiting period. The license is not effective until three days pass from the issue date. This is a state rule under Florida Statute 741.04. It applies in every Florida county.

You can avoid the wait. Both people need to take a four-hour premarital course from a provider that the Miami-Dade Clerk recognizes. Bring the original certificate of completion. The license becomes valid right away, and the fee drops from $86 to $61. This is common among Miami couples who want a same-day ceremony. The course covers communication, conflict management, financial planning, and parenting. Out-of-state residents do not face any waiting period, whether they take a course or not.

After Your Miami Wedding Ceremony

Once the wedding happens, the signed license must go back to the Miami-Dade Clerk within 10 days. The officiant usually handles this. The clerk files the record and sends a copy to the Florida Department of Health. That state filing takes about 60 days. Under Florida Statute 741.041, the license is good for 60 days from the issue date. If the ceremony does not happen in that window, you need to apply again in Miami.

Several types of people can perform a wedding in Miami. Under Florida Statute 741.07, ordained ministers, judicial officers, circuit court clerks, and notaries public can all officiate. The Florida Department of Health keeps marriage certificates from 1927 to the present. You can also order copies through VitalChek online.

Nearby Florida Cities

These cities near Miami also have marriage license pages. A license from any Florida county is valid statewide.

Miami-Dade County Marriage License Records

Miami is in Miami-Dade County. All marriage license filings go through the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts. For more on the county clerk, full fee details, and other resources, visit the county page.

View Miami-Dade County Marriage License Records