Search Columbia County Marriage License

Columbia County marriage license applications are handled by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Lake City. Couples planning to wed can apply in person at the clerk's office on Hernando Avenue. The clerk issues licenses and keeps the filed records once the ceremony is done. You can look up marriage license records through the county clerk or search the state records portal. Columbia County follows the same rules as all 67 Florida counties, but the local office has its own hours and procedures worth knowing before you visit.

Columbia County Clerk Office

The Columbia County Clerk of the Circuit Court issues all marriage licenses in the county. The office is in Lake City on Hernando Avenue. Both applicants must show up in person. You cannot apply by mail or online. The clerk checks your IDs, takes the fee, and issues the license on the spot once everything checks out.

Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. Your Social Security number is also required. If either person was married before, you need the exact date the prior marriage ended along with how it ended. The clerk needs this to complete the application in Columbia County.

How to Apply for a Columbia County Marriage License

Go to the clerk's office in Lake City. Both people must be there at the same time. The whole process usually takes less than 30 minutes if your paperwork is in order. The clerk fills out the application based on the info you give and asks you to sign it under oath.

Under Florida Statute 741.04, both applicants must be 18 or older. A 17-year-old can apply with notarized parental consent, but the other person cannot be more than two years older. You also need to read the Family Law Handbook from the Florida Bar before applying. The clerk will ask if you have reviewed it.

Florida residents wait three days before the license becomes active. Out-of-state residents skip this wait entirely. If both parties take a four-hour premarital course from an approved provider, the wait is waived for Florida residents too. Bring the original certificate with you to the clerk's office in Columbia County.

Marriage License Fees in Columbia County

The standard fee for a marriage license in Columbia County is $86. Some online sources list $93.50, which may include a small processing surcharge. Check with the clerk's office before your visit so you bring the right amount. If both parties complete a premarital course, the fee drops to $61 under Florida Statute 741.0305.

Part of the fee goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund and part goes to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. These splits are set by the state legislature. Certified copies of a recorded marriage license cost $3 each. The clerk's office accepts several forms of payment. Call ahead to confirm what they take in Columbia County.

Note: Card payments may carry a small processing fee at the Columbia County Clerk's office.

Columbia County Marriage License Details

Your Columbia County marriage license is valid for 60 days. Florida Statute 741.041 sets this limit. If the ceremony does not happen within 60 days, the license expires. You must apply again and pay the full fee. Keep track of the issue date printed on the license.

After the ceremony, the officiant sends the signed license back to the Columbia County Clerk. The clerk records it and sends a copy to the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics. This process takes about 60 days. One certified copy is usually included with the license fee. You can order more copies later from the clerk or from the state.

Under Florida Statute 741.07, several types of people can perform your ceremony. Ordained ministers, judicial officers, clerks, and notaries public are all authorized. You can get married anywhere in Florida with a Columbia County marriage license. It does not have to be in Columbia County itself. The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers website has a full overview of the process.

Columbia County Marriage Records Online

The screenshot below shows the Columbia County Clerk's website where you can find information about marriage license services and access to official records.

Visit the clerk's website for current hours, forms, and any updates to the marriage license process in Columbia County. You can also search filed records through the MyFloridaCounty portal.

Cities in Columbia County

Columbia County includes Lake City, Fort White, and several unincorporated areas. All couples apply for a marriage license at the same clerk's office in Lake City. There are no qualifying cities with separate pages in this county, but the clerk serves everyone in Columbia County.

Nearby Counties

Columbia County is in north-central Florida. These counties share its borders. You can apply for a marriage license in any Florida county, so pick the one that works best for you.