Calhoun County Marriage License Lookup

Calhoun County marriage license records are filed at the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Blountstown. This rural Florida panhandle county has one clerk's office that handles all marriage license applications and keeps the recorded copies on file. If you want to apply for a marriage license or search for an existing record in Calhoun County, the clerk's office on Central Avenue East is the place to go. Both applicants must come in together, and you should arrive well before the end of the business day since licenses are not issued after 3:30 p.m.

Calhoun County Clerk Marriage License Office

The Calhoun County Clerk of the Circuit Court issues marriage licenses from the office in Blountstown. The clerk acts as an agent for the State of Florida under Florida Statute 741.01. Both people must show up in person. No exceptions. The clerk's office cannot give legal advice, but the staff can help with the application process and answer basic questions about what you need to bring.

One thing to know about Calhoun County: licenses are not issued after 3:30 p.m. The office posts this rule clearly. Plan to arrive early so there is enough time to finish the paperwork. The Calhoun County clerk handles a smaller volume of applications than big-city counties, so wait times are usually short if you get there before the cutoff.

Note: Licenses are not issued after 3:30 p.m. at the Calhoun County clerk's office.

What You Need to Apply in Calhoun County

Both people must go to the Calhoun County clerk's office in person at the same time. Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, or passport works. You need to know your Social Security number. The card is not needed. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old under Florida Statute 741.04.

If you had a prior marriage, you need the exact date it ended and whether it ended by divorce, death, or annulment. No blood test is required. The Calhoun County clerk will have you fill out the application at the office. Make sure to read the Family Law Handbook from the Florida Bar before you go. The clerk will ask if you have read it.

Calhoun County Marriage License Fees

A standard marriage license costs $86 in Calhoun County. This is the same fee charged by every county clerk in Florida. If both people complete a four-hour premarital preparation course, the fee drops to $61. Florida Statute 741.0305 allows this reduction. Bring the original course certificate when you apply.

The Calhoun County clerk's office can also perform marriage ceremonies. If you want a courthouse wedding in Blountstown, ask the staff about scheduling and the $30 ceremony fee. This is a simple option for couples who prefer a civil ceremony.

Part of the marriage license fee in Calhoun County goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund and part to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. These amounts are set by the state legislature.

Marriage License Waiting Period in Calhoun County

If you are a Florida resident, there is a three-day waiting period before your Calhoun County marriage license becomes valid. The clock starts the day after the clerk issues the license. You can avoid this wait by taking a premarital preparation course. Bring the certificate and the license is valid right away. Non-residents of Florida have no waiting period at all.

Under Florida Statute 741.041, the license is valid for 60 days. If 60 days pass without a ceremony, it expires. You would need to apply again at the Calhoun County clerk's office and pay the fee a second time.

Recording Your Calhoun County Marriage License

After the wedding, the signed license must be returned to the Calhoun County Clerk within 10 days. The person who performed the ceremony is usually the one to send it back. Under Florida Statute 741.07, ordained ministers, judicial officers, clerks, and notaries public can all officiate a marriage. The clerk records the license and forwards a copy to the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics for permanent filing.

You can search for filed marriage records in Calhoun County through the MyFloridaCounty official records portal. The state also keeps marriage certificates going back to 1927. You can order copies from the Bureau of Vital Statistics or through VitalChek, the state's only contracted online vendor.

Note: State-level processing of your Calhoun County marriage record takes about 60 days after the ceremony.

Cities in Calhoun County

Calhoun County is a small, rural county. Blountstown is the county seat. Altha is the only other incorporated town. All Calhoun County residents use the Blountstown office for marriage license services. There are no other clerk locations in the county.

Nearby Counties

Calhoun County sits in the Florida panhandle. These are the nearby counties. A marriage license from any Florida county is valid statewide, so you can apply wherever works best.