Access Charlotte County Marriage Licenses

Charlotte County marriage license records are kept at the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Punta Gorda. The clerk's office offers an online application you can fill out before your visit, and two office locations where you can finish the process in person. If you are looking to apply for a new marriage license or need to search for a recorded one, the Charlotte County Clerk handles it all. Residents of Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Englewood, and all other Charlotte County communities use this same clerk's office for marriage license services.

Charlotte County Clerk Marriage License Services

The Charlotte County Clerk of the Circuit Court handles all marriage license applications. You can start by filling out the online application on the clerk's website. Once you submit, you get a transaction number. Write it down and bring it with you to one of the two office locations. Both people must go in person with their ID and the transaction number to complete the application.

Charlotte County has two locations where you can finish the process. The main Charlotte County Justice Center in Punta Gorda is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Murdock Administration building also handles marriage licenses during the same hours. A third option, the Mac V. Horton West County Annex, is open on Tuesday and Thursday only, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Check which location works best for your schedule before you go.

Charlotte County is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit. The clerk acts as the state's agent for marriage licenses under Florida Statute 741.01. A license from Charlotte County is good anywhere in Florida.

Marriage License Requirements in Charlotte County

Both applicants must be 18 or older and present in person. Under Florida Statute 741.04, you need a valid photo ID and your Social Security number. The card is not required. If you were married before, bring the exact date of the divorce, annulment, or death. The Charlotte County clerk asks for this on the application form.

No blood test is needed. There is no residency requirement. Anyone can apply for a marriage license in Charlotte County, no matter where they live. Just read the Family Law Handbook from the Florida Bar before you go.

Charlotte County Marriage License Fees

The standard fee for a marriage license in Charlotte County is $86. With a premarital course, the fee is $61. Florida Statute 741.0305 provides this $25 reduction. The Charlotte County Clerk performs marriage ceremonies for $30. Deputy Clerks are available for ceremonies Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Certified copies of a recorded marriage license cost $9 if you order online and $7 in person. The ceremony room at the Charlotte County courthouse was recently remodeled and can hold up to 16 guests. A commemorative certificate is also available as a keepsake, though it is not for legal use.

Charlotte County also has a mobile app for Apple and Android that lets you access some clerk services remotely. Check the clerk's website for download links.

Charlotte County Marriage License Waiting Period

Florida residents face a three-day waiting period after the Charlotte County clerk issues the license. The license is not valid until three full days pass. You can skip this wait by completing a four-hour premarital preparation course and bringing the original certificate to the office. Non-residents of Florida have no waiting period.

The license stays valid for 60 days under Florida Statute 741.041. If the ceremony does not take place within 60 days, the Charlotte County license expires and you must start over.

Note: The signed license must be returned to the Charlotte County Clerk within 10 days of the ceremony for recording.

After the Ceremony in Charlotte County

The person who performs the ceremony returns the signed license to the Charlotte County Clerk. Florida Statute 741.07 allows ordained ministers, judicial officers, clerks of the circuit court, and notaries public to officiate. The clerk records the marriage and sends a copy to the Florida Department of Health for permanent state filing.

You can search Charlotte County official records through the MyFloridaCounty portal. For state-level certified copies, the Department of Health offers them from June 1927 to the present. You can also use VitalChek to order copies online.

Cities in Charlotte County

Charlotte County's main communities are Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Englewood, and Rotonda West. Punta Gorda is the county seat and the only incorporated city. All Charlotte County residents use the same clerk offices for marriage license services. There are no cities in Charlotte County large enough to have their own page.

Nearby Counties

Charlotte County is on Florida's southwest Gulf Coast. These are the nearest counties. A Florida marriage license from any county works in every other county statewide.