Find Baker County Marriage License Records

Baker County marriage license applications are handled at the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Macclenny. This small county in northeast Florida processes all marriage licenses through one office on East Macclenny Avenue. Whether you need to apply for a new marriage license or search for an old record, the Baker County Clerk is where to start. The office serves all residents of Baker County, and an appointment is needed before you go. Both parties must come in together to finish the application in Baker County.

Baker County Clerk Office for Marriage Licenses

The Baker County Clerk of the Circuit Court issues all marriage licenses in the county. The office is in Macclenny, the county seat. Baker County is one of the smaller counties in Florida, and the clerk handles all recording, court services, and marriage license matters from a single location. An appointment is required, so call before you visit.

The process to get a marriage license in Baker County is simple. Both parties go to the clerk's office. You fill out the application. You show your ID. You pay the fee. The clerk issues the license. That is the whole thing. Baker County follows the same state rules as all 67 Florida counties under Florida Statute 741.01. A marriage license from Baker County is valid anywhere in Florida, so you can hold the ceremony in any county you want.

You can learn more about the clerk's services on the Baker County Clerk homepage.

Marriage License Requirements in Baker County

To get a marriage license in Baker County, both people must appear in person at the clerk's office at the same time. You need a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all work. You must know your Social Security number, though you do not need to bring the card. Both parties must be at least 18 years old under Florida Statute 741.04.

If you were married before, bring the exact date your last marriage ended. The Baker County clerk will ask how it ended, whether by divorce, death, or annulment. You need the state and county where the divorce took place too. A 17-year-old may apply with both parents' written consent, but the other party cannot be more than two years older. This is a strict rule under Florida law.

You should also read the Family Law Handbook before you go. The Florida Bar publishes this guide. The clerk's office will ask you to confirm that you have read it when you apply for a marriage license in Baker County.

Baker County Marriage License Fees

The standard fee for a marriage license in Baker County is $86. This is the same at every county clerk's office in Florida. If both people take a four-hour premarital preparation course from a registered provider, the fee goes down to $61. Florida Statute 741.0305 sets this discount at $25 off the standard rate.

Bring your original premarital course certificate when you apply. A copy will not work. The Baker County clerk needs to see the original before giving you the reduced rate. Part of the license fee goes to the state Domestic Violence Trust Fund and part to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund, as set by state law.

Note: Call the Baker County Clerk at (904) 259-3686 to confirm accepted payment methods before your visit.

Waiting Period for Baker County Marriage Licenses

Florida residents have a three-day waiting period. The license is not valid until three days pass. This rule comes from Florida Statute 741.04 and applies across the state. You can skip this wait in Baker County by completing a premarital preparation course before you apply. Bring the certificate and the clerk will make the license valid the same day.

Out-of-state residents do not have to wait. If neither person lives in Florida, the Baker County marriage license becomes effective right away. No course is needed. The license is good for 60 days from the date it is issued, per Florida Statute 741.041. The ceremony must happen within that window, or the license expires and you have to start over in Baker County.

Marriage Ceremonies and Recording in Baker County

After you get the license, you need someone to perform the ceremony. Florida Statute 741.07 lists who can officiate. Ordained ministers, judicial officers, clerks of the circuit court, and notaries public are all allowed. You have a lot of options in Baker County and across the state.

Once the ceremony is done, the signed license must go back to the Baker County Clerk within 10 days. The officiant usually handles this. The clerk records the license and sends a copy to the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics for permanent filing. This state-level processing takes about 60 days after the ceremony. The Florida Department of Health holds marriage certificates from 1927 to the present.

You can also search for recorded documents through the MyFloridaCounty official records portal. This statewide system covers Baker County and all other Florida counties.

Cities in Baker County

Baker County is a small, rural county. Macclenny is the county seat and the main city. Other communities include Glen St. Mary, Olustee, and Sanderson. None of these towns have a separate clerk's office. All Baker County residents go to the Macclenny office for marriage license services.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Baker County. You can apply for a marriage license in any Florida county and use it anywhere in the state. Pick the one that works best for you.