West Palm Beach Marriage License
West Palm Beach marriage license services are run by the Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts. West Palm Beach is the county seat of Palm Beach County and home to about 128,000 people. The clerk's main office is right in downtown West Palm Beach on Dixie Highway. Couples who live here can walk into that office to apply for a marriage license in person. Both people must show up at the same time. This guide covers the fees, ID requirements, waiting period, and everything else you need to get a marriage license in West Palm Beach.
West Palm Beach Quick Facts
Where West Palm Beach Couples Apply
West Palm Beach is the county seat of Palm Beach County. The Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts handles all marriage license applications in the area. Under Florida Statute 741.01, the clerk of the circuit court issues every marriage license in the state. Since West Palm Beach is where the main office sits, residents have the most convenient access of anyone in the county.
A marriage license from Palm Beach County works anywhere in Florida. You can hold the wedding in West Palm Beach, at a resort along the coast, or in a completely different county. The license is not limited to one location. The Palm Beach County Clerk website has details on how to apply and what you need to bring.
Palm Beach Clerk Office in West Palm Beach
The main Palm Beach County Clerk office is in downtown West Palm Beach. This is where most West Palm Beach residents go to apply for a marriage license. The county also has additional service locations, so you can check the clerk's website for other branches if the main office is not convenient for you.
| Office | Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | 205 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 |
| Phone | (561) 355-2996 |
| Website | mypalmbeachclerk.com |
The courthouse is on Dixie Highway in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach. Parking is available at nearby garages and metered spots on surrounding streets. Both people must appear in person together to apply. Walk-ins are accepted during regular business hours. Call (561) 355-2996 to check current hours or ask about scheduling if you prefer to plan ahead.
Note: Multiple service locations are available across Palm Beach County for West Palm Beach area residents who prefer a branch office.
How to Get a Marriage License in West Palm Beach
Both people must go to the clerk's office at the same time. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. You need your Social Security number. The card is not required. Under Florida Statute 741.04, both applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply without parental consent.
If either person was married before, you must provide the exact date the prior marriage ended. Know whether it ended by divorce, death, or annulment. The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers website explains all the statewide requirements for a marriage license application. You need to read the Family Law Handbook from the Florida Bar before you apply. The clerk will ask you about it.
No blood test is needed. There is no residency requirement. Anyone can apply in Palm Beach County whether they live in West Palm Beach, another Florida city, or out of state. The only difference is that Florida residents face a three-day waiting period while non-residents do not.
West Palm Beach Marriage License Search Tools
Palm Beach County official records can be searched through the MyFloridaCounty portal. This statewide tool connects to every Florida county's records system.
Through this portal, you can select Palm Beach County and search for marriage licenses that have been recorded. This is useful if you need to look up an existing record or verify that a marriage license was filed. The Find a Clerk tool from the Florida Clerks association can also help you locate specific clerk offices across the state.
West Palm Beach Marriage License Fees
The fee is $86 for a standard marriage license. This amount is set by state law and applies at every county clerk's office in Florida. Both people can take a four-hour premarital preparation course to lower the fee to $61. Under Florida Statute 741.0305, the $25 discount kicks in when you bring the original completion certificates to the clerk.
The Palm Beach County Clerk also charges $30 for a courthouse ceremony at locations where that service is available. Certified copies of a filed marriage license are a few dollars each. Part of the $86 fee goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund, and part goes to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. These are required by Florida law. The clerk accepts cash and credit cards. Call (561) 355-2996 to check which payment methods the West Palm Beach office currently takes.
Marriage License Waiting Period in West Palm Beach
Florida residents must wait three days after the license is issued. It is not valid during those three days. You cannot hold the ceremony until the wait ends. This comes from Florida Statute 741.04. If both people take a premarital course, the wait is waived. If both people live outside Florida, the wait does not apply at all.
Once valid, the West Palm Beach marriage license lasts 60 days. Under Florida Statute 741.041, the ceremony must happen within that window. After the wedding, the officiant sends the signed license back to the Palm Beach County Clerk. The clerk records it and forwards a copy to the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Under Florida Statute 741.07, ordained ministers, judicial officers, clerks of the circuit court, and notaries public can all officiate weddings in Florida. The ceremony can take place anywhere in the state, not just in West Palm Beach.
Copies of West Palm Beach Marriage Records
After the clerk records your marriage license, you can get certified copies from the Palm Beach County Clerk's office. For state-level records, the Florida Department of Health keeps marriage certificates from June 1927 to the present. Walk-in service is available at the state office in Jacksonville, or you can order by mail or through VitalChek, the only contracted online vendor for Florida vital records.
The state search fee is $5 for one year and one certified copy. Extra copies cost $4 each. VitalChek charges $15 plus a $7 processing fee. For records before 1927, contact the county clerk where the license was originally issued since the state does not have those on file.
Note: The state needs about 60 days after the ceremony to process and file the marriage certificate with Vital Statistics.
Nearby Cities
Several cities near West Palm Beach also file marriage licenses through the Palm Beach County Clerk or neighboring county clerks. Check these cities for local details.
Palm Beach County Marriage License
West Palm Beach is the county seat of Palm Beach County. All marriage license filings go through the Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts. For full details on the county clerk, fees, and all service locations, visit the Palm Beach County page.