Find Marriage Licenses in Clay County

Clay County marriage license records are filed at the Clerk of the Circuit Court, which has offices in Green Cove Springs and Orange Park. The clerk processes all new marriage license applications and stores the recorded copies for public access. If you plan to get married in Clay County or just need to search for an existing marriage record, the clerk's office is where to start. An appointment is required, so call before you visit. Both people must be present to finish the marriage license application in Clay County.

Clay County Clerk Marriage License Locations

The Clay County Clerk of the Circuit Court issues marriage licenses from two locations. The main office is in Green Cove Springs on North Orange Avenue. A branch office in Orange Park on Park Avenue gives residents in the western part of the county a closer option. Both offices handle marriage license applications.

An appointment is required at the Clay County clerk's office. Call ahead to set up a time. The clerk's staff has posted a clear processing deadline: paperwork must be filed by 4:00 p.m. to be completed by 4:30 p.m. If you show up too late, your application may need to wait until the next business day. Clay County is part of the 4th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Duval and Nassau counties.

Under Florida Statute 741.01, the Clay County clerk acts as the state's agent for issuing marriage licenses. A license from Clay County lets you get married in any county in Florida.

Note: Paperwork must be filed by 4:00 p.m. in Clay County to ensure processing the same day.

Marriage License Requirements in Clay County

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

A 17-year-old can apply in Clay County with a certified birth certificate, a valid photo ID, and written consent from both parents. If one parent has sole custody, a certified court order proving that is needed. The other party also cannot be more than two years older.

If you were married before, bring the exact date your last marriage ended. The Clay County clerk asks whether it ended by divorce, death, or annulment. You also need to fill out a Premarital Statement form. Do not sign it until you are in front of the Deputy Clerk. Signing early can void the form, and you would need a new one.

Clay County Marriage License Fees

A standard marriage license in Clay County costs $86. The fee goes down to $61 with a premarital preparation course. Florida Statute 741.0305 authorizes this $25 discount. You need the original certificate from the course when you apply at the Clay County Clerk. A replacement for a lost license costs $30.

The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers website has general info about marriage license fees across the state. The Find a Clerk tool can also help you locate the Clay County office and other nearby clerk offices.

Waiting Period for Clay County Marriage Licenses

Florida residents who apply for a marriage license in Clay County face a three-day waiting period. The waiting period begins the day after the license is issued. The license is not valid during those three days. You cannot hold the ceremony until the wait is over. If even one person in the couple is a Florida resident, the wait applies.

Complete the premarital course to skip the wait. Bring the certificate to the Clay County clerk and the license is valid the same day. Out-of-state residents are fully exempt from the waiting period. Under Florida Statute 741.041, the license is valid for 60 days. The ceremony must happen within that window, or the license expires.

After the Wedding in Clay County

The person who performs the ceremony returns the signed license to the Clay County Clerk. This must happen within 10 days. Florida Statute 741.07 lists who can officiate: ordained ministers, judicial officers, clerks, and notaries public. Religious and civil ceremonies are both valid under Florida law.

Once the Clay County clerk records the license, a copy goes to the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. This state filing takes about 60 days. You can search for official Clay County records online through the MyFloridaCounty portal. For certified copies of marriage certificates, you can also order through VitalChek, the state's only contracted vendor.

The Family Law Handbook from the Florida Bar has more details about what happens after the wedding and how marriage records are stored in Florida.

Cities in Clay County

Clay County includes Green Cove Springs, Orange Park, Middleburg, Fleming Island, Keystone Heights, and Penney Farms. Green Cove Springs is the county seat. The Orange Park branch office serves the more populated western side. All Clay County residents use one of these two offices for their marriage license needs. No cities in Clay County have their own dedicated page.

Nearby Counties

Clay County is in northeast Florida, near Jacksonville. These are the surrounding counties. Remember, a Florida marriage license from any county works in all 67 counties statewide.