North Port Marriage License Search

Marriage license applications in North Port are handled by the Sarasota County Clerk of Courts. North Port is a fast-growing city in the southern half of Sarasota County, with a population that has climbed past 92,000. The Sarasota County Clerk office in downtown Sarasota is where North Port couples go to apply for their marriage license. There is no separate city office for this. Everything runs through the county clerk. This guide covers what North Port residents need to know about the application process, from fees and IDs to the waiting period and ceremony options.

Where North Port Couples Apply

North Port is part of Sarasota County. The Sarasota County Clerk of Courts issues all marriage licenses for the county. Under Florida Statute 741.01, the clerk of the circuit court is the office that issues these licenses. North Port residents need to visit the clerk's main office in the city of Sarasota, which is about a 30-minute drive north. The Sarasota County Clerk website has the latest hours and details.

Because North Port sits at the far south end of Sarasota County, the drive to the clerk's office takes some planning. There is no branch office closer to North Port for marriage licenses at this time. Some couples from North Port find it easier to go first thing in the morning to avoid any rush. The office processes applications the same day, so you do not need to make multiple trips.

Note: Both people must appear at the clerk's office together to apply for the marriage license.

How to Get a North Port Marriage License

The steps are straightforward. Both people go to the Sarasota County Clerk office at the same time. Each person needs a valid photo ID. A driver's license works. So does a passport, state ID, or military ID. You need your Social Security number as well. The clerk does not need the physical card, just the number itself. If either person was married before, bring the date the previous marriage ended. Know whether it ended by divorce, death, or annulment.

Under Florida Statute 741.04, both people must be at least 18. There is a narrow exception for 17-year-olds with parental consent, but only when the age gap is two years or less. No blood test is required. Florida dropped that rule back in 1986. There is also no residency requirement, which means people visiting North Port or who just moved to the area can apply at the Sarasota County Clerk without issue.

The Florida Bar Family Law Handbook is something both people should read before going in. State law requires it. The clerk will ask whether you have read it as part of the application process.

North Port Marriage License Online Tools

The Florida Clerks website helps you find the right clerk's office for any county in the state. Below is a look at their clerk directory tool.

For searching existing records, the MyFloridaCounty portal connects to official records across all 67 Florida counties. You can look up marriage licenses filed in Sarasota County through this system. The Sarasota County Clerk also offers record searches on their own website for local filings.

Marriage License Fees in North Port

The standard fee is $86. This is the same across all of Florida. The Sarasota County Clerk collects the fee when you submit the application. Cash and credit cards are both accepted at the office.

Couples who complete a premarital course pay $61 instead. That is a $25 savings. Under Florida Statute 741.0305, the course must be at least four hours and must be from an approved provider. Both people need to finish the course and bring certificates to the clerk. The course also removes the three-day waiting period, which is an added bonus for North Port couples who want to hold their ceremony sooner.

Part of the $86 fee goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Another part funds the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. These allocations are set by Florida law and apply statewide.

North Port Marriage License Wait Period

Florida residents wait three days. The clerk issues the license on the day you apply, but three calendar days must pass before it becomes valid for a ceremony. This is a state rule, not a Sarasota County rule. It applies to all North Port residents. If both applicants live outside Florida, the wait is waived. If you take the premarital course, the wait is also waived.

After the waiting period, the license is good for 60 days. Under Florida Statute 741.041, you must hold the ceremony within those 60 days or the license expires. If it does expire, you start over with a new application and pay the fee again. After the ceremony, the person who performs it has 10 days to return the signed license to the Sarasota County Clerk. The clerk records it and sends the information to the Florida Department of Health.

Ceremony Options for North Port Residents

North Port couples have plenty of choices for where to hold their ceremony. The marriage license from Sarasota County is valid anywhere in Florida. You can get married in North Port, at a beach in Sarasota, or in a completely different county. Under Florida Statute 741.07, several types of people can perform the ceremony:

• Ordained or licensed ministers and clergy
• Judges and other judicial officers
• Clerks of the circuit court
• Notary publics licensed in Florida

The Sarasota County Clerk may offer courthouse ceremonies as well. Call (941) 861-7400 to ask about availability and scheduling. North Port has parks and outdoor spaces that work well for smaller ceremonies. Warm Mineral Springs and Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park are local spots that couples sometimes use.

Marriage License Help in North Port

The Florida Clerks marriage license page gives a statewide overview of the process. It is a good starting point if you have general questions. For Sarasota County-specific details, the clerk's office staff can answer questions by phone or in person.

Legal aid services in the Sarasota area can help with family law questions related to marriage, prenuptial agreements, or name changes. The Florida Bar's lawyer referral service is another option if you need to speak with an attorney about something specific. North Port residents can also get certified copies of their marriage certificate from the Florida Department of Health office in Jacksonville, which keeps records from June 6, 1927 to the present.

Note: A marriage license from Sarasota County works at any ceremony location in the state of Florida.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near North Port and may share similar courthouse resources. Browse the links below for marriage license details specific to each area.

Sarasota County Marriage License Records

North Port is part of Sarasota County. The Sarasota County Clerk of Courts processes all marriage license applications and records for the county. For more information about the clerk's office and related records, visit the county page.

View Sarasota County Marriage License Records