Alachua County Marriage License

Alachua County marriage license records are filed and kept at the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Gainesville. The clerk's office handles all new license applications and stores the recorded copies after each ceremony. If you want to apply for a marriage license in Alachua County or need to look up an old one, the process starts at the Family and Civil Justice Center on East University Avenue. Both people must show up at the same time to get a license. Residents of Gainesville and all other Alachua County communities use this same office for marriage license services.

Alachua County Clerk of Court Marriage Services

The Alachua County Clerk of the Circuit Court issues marriage licenses from the Family and Civil Justice Center in Gainesville. This is the only office in Alachua County that handles marriage license applications. You can walk in or call ahead to set up a time. The clerk's staff will walk you through each step once you get there.

The Alachua County Clerk lays out a simple five-step process for getting married. First, read the Family Law Handbook. Second, fill out the online marriage license application. Third, go to the courthouse to finish the license in person. Fourth, have a wedding ceremony. Fifth, return the signed license to the clerk so it can be recorded. This process is the same for all Alachua County residents, and it follows Florida Statute 741.01, which puts the clerk in charge of issuing every marriage license in the state.

The Alachua County Clerk's office on the clerk homepage has links to forms, fee details, and scheduling tools you can use before your visit.

Walk-ins are welcome at the Alachua County clerk's office, but they stop taking new walk-ins at 4:00 p.m. If you want to make sure you get in, call the office and schedule a time. That way you avoid any last-minute rush at the end of the day.

How to Get a Marriage License in Alachua County

Both people must go to the Alachua County clerk's office in person. You can start the process early by filling out the online application from the clerk's marriage page. This saves time at the office. Bring your valid photo ID, such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. You also need to know your Social Security number, but you do not need the card itself. Under Florida Statute 741.04, both applicants must be at least 18 years old.

If you were married before, you need to know the exact date your prior marriage ended. The clerk will ask if it ended by divorce, death, or annulment. You also need to know the state and county where the divorce happened. The Alachua County clerk cannot process your application without this info. Same-gender couples can apply for a marriage license in Alachua County on the same terms as any other couple.

Note: Both people must be present at the same time to complete the Alachua County marriage license application.

Alachua County Marriage License Fees

A standard marriage license in Alachua County costs $86. This is the same fee set by state law across all 67 Florida counties. If both people complete a four-hour premarital preparation course before they apply, the fee drops to $61. That is a $25 savings allowed under Florida Statute 741.0305. You must bring the original certificate from the course when you visit the clerk in Alachua County.

The Alachua County Clerk also performs civil marriage ceremonies at the Family and Civil Courthouse in Gainesville. The ceremony fee is $30. Two witnesses are needed. If you want a courthouse wedding, this is one of the more affordable options in the area. Not all Florida counties offer this service, but Alachua County does.

Part of the license fee goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund and part to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. These splits are set by the Florida legislature and apply statewide.

Marriage License Waiting Period in Alachua County

Florida residents face a three-day waiting period after applying for a marriage license in Alachua County. The license is not valid until three full days pass from the date it was issued. This means you cannot hold the wedding until the wait is over. The waiting period exists under Florida Statute 741.04, and it applies in every Florida county.

You can skip the wait. Take a four-hour premarital course from a provider registered with the Alachua County Clerk. Bring the original certificate of completion when you apply. The license becomes valid right away. This is a popular choice for couples in Alachua County who want to get married the same day they get the license. Out-of-state residents do not have to wait at all, no matter what.

Note: The premarital course must be from a provider registered with the Alachua County Clerk's office to count.

After the Ceremony in Alachua County

Once the wedding takes place, the signed marriage license must be returned to the Alachua County Clerk within 10 days. The person who performs the ceremony is usually the one who sends it back. The clerk records the license and sends a copy to the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. This state-level filing takes about 60 days, so plan for a delay before the state has your record on file.

Under Florida Statute 741.07, several types of people can perform a marriage ceremony. Ordained ministers, judicial officers, clerks of the circuit court, and notaries public can all officiate in Alachua County. The Alachua County Clerk can also perform the ceremony at the courthouse for $30, which makes things simple if you do not have someone else lined up.

Your marriage license is valid for 60 days from the issue date. If the ceremony does not happen within that window, the license expires. Under Florida Statute 741.041, you would then need to apply again and pay a new fee in Alachua County.

Copies of Alachua County Marriage License Records

You can get copies of recorded marriage licenses from the Alachua County Clerk's office. The MyFloridaCounty official records portal lets you search for recorded documents in Alachua County and other Florida counties online. For certified copies, you may need to go to the clerk's office in person or send a written request by mail.

The Florida Department of Health also keeps marriage certificates from June 6, 1927 to the present. You can order copies from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville or through VitalChek, the state's only contracted online vendor. The search fee is $5 for one year and one certified copy.

Cities in Alachua County

All cities and towns in Alachua County use the same clerk's office in Gainesville for marriage license services. The largest city in the county is Gainesville, which is home to the University of Florida. Other communities in Alachua County include Alachua, Archer, High Springs, Hawthorne, Newberry, and Waldo.

Smaller towns like Archer, Newberry, and High Springs do not have their own clerk offices. Residents of these Alachua County communities go to the Gainesville courthouse for all marriage license needs.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Alachua County. A marriage license from any Florida county is valid statewide, so you can apply wherever is most convenient for you.