Gilchrist County Marriage License
Gilchrist County marriage license applications go through the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Trenton. The clerk issues licenses, performs ceremonies, and keeps the filed records. This small county in north-central Florida offers an online marriage license application so you can start the process from home. Both people still need to visit the office in person, but the online form saves time at the counter. Searching for marriage license records in Gilchrist County can be done at the clerk's office or through the state's online records portal. The clerk's website at gilchristclerk.com has answers to common questions about the whole process.
Gilchrist County Quick Facts
Gilchrist County Marriage License Office
The Gilchrist County Clerk of the Circuit Court handles all marriage license applications. The office is on South Main Street in Trenton. Both parties must provide proof of identification. A driver's license, state ID, or passport works. U.S. citizens need their Social Security number. Non-citizens can use a Social Security number or an alien registration number.
The standard fee is $93.50 in Gilchrist County, which includes processing charges. You can pay by cash, check, or credit card. This is a bit higher than the base $86 set by state law, so check with the clerk before your visit. The clerk's office also performs ceremonies for couples who want to get married right at the courthouse in Gilchrist County.
| Address | 112 S Main Street, Trenton, FL 32693 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (352) 463-3170 |
| Website | gilchristclerk.com |
Note: The Gilchrist County Clerk does perform marriage ceremonies at the office for couples who want that service.
How to Apply in Gilchrist County
Gilchrist County has an online marriage license application. You can fill it out at home before visiting. This cuts down the time you spend at the office. Both people must still go in person to sign the application and take the oath. The clerk checks your IDs and collects the fee during the visit.
Under Florida Statute 741.04, both applicants must be at least 18 years old. A 17-year-old needs notarized consent from both parents. If you were married before, bring the date your prior marriage ended. Read the Family Law Handbook before your visit.
Florida residents wait three days before the license takes effect. This waiting period is waived if both people take a four-hour premarital preparation course. The Gilchrist County Clerk's website explains that applicants who file certification of the course get a $32.50 discount, bringing the fee to $61. Out-of-state couples skip the wait entirely.
Gilchrist County Marriage License Fees
The standard fee at the Gilchrist County Clerk is $93.50. This may include local processing charges on top of the base $86 set by Florida Statute 741.01. Couples who complete a premarital course pay $61 instead. That is a $32.50 reduction according to the clerk's website.
Additional certified copies of a recorded marriage license cost $3 each from the Gilchrist County Clerk. One free certified copy is included with the license fee. The copy is ready within seven days after the officiant returns the signed license to the clerk. The Florida Department of Health also holds marriage certificates and can issue copies for records from 1927 to the present.
Gilchrist County Marriage License Validity
A Gilchrist County marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. Florida Statute 741.041 sets this rule. If the 60 days pass without a ceremony, you need to apply again. The wedding can take place in any Florida county. You do not have to stay in Gilchrist County for the ceremony itself.
The signed license must come back to the Gilchrist County Clerk within 10 days of the ceremony. Under Florida Statute 741.07, ordained ministers, judicial officers, clerks, and notaries public can all perform the ceremony. An interesting note from the clerk's FAQ: a ship captain who is a notary can also perform a marriage if the ship is in Florida waters within three miles of the coastline.
The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers website covers the statewide rules. Use the MyFloridaCounty portal to search filed records in Gilchrist County or any other Florida county.
Gilchrist County Clerk Website
The screenshot below shows the Gilchrist County Clerk's website with details about marriage license services, fees, and frequently asked questions.
The clerk's website has a helpful FAQ section that covers topics like ceremony availability, copy timelines, and even unusual questions about who can perform a marriage in Florida. Check it before you visit the office in Trenton.
Cities in Gilchrist County
Trenton is the county seat and the largest community in Gilchrist County. Bell and Fanning Springs are also in the area. All marriage license applications go through the clerk's office in Trenton. There are no qualifying cities in Gilchrist County with separate pages.
Nearby Counties
Gilchrist County is in north-central Florida. These counties border it. You can get a marriage license from any Florida county since the license works statewide.