Glades County Marriage License

Glades County marriage license records are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Moore Haven. This small county sits near Lake Okeechobee in south-central Florida. If you plan to get married here or just need to look up a marriage license, the Glades County clerk's office is the place to go. Both parties must show up in person to apply, and the clerk can help you through each step of the process. You can also use this office to get certified copies of any marriage license on file in the county.

Glades County Clerk of Court Office

The Glades County Clerk of the Circuit Court issues all marriage licenses in the county. The office is at 500 Avenue J SW, Suite 102, in Moore Haven. You can reach them by phone at (863) 946-6010. Both people must come to the office at the same time. No one else should come with you to the appointment. The clerk asks that only the two parties to the license or passport enter the office.

One thing to know about Glades County is that the clerk's office does not perform wedding ceremonies. You will need to find your own officiant after you get the license. Under Florida Statute 741.07, ordained ministers, judicial officers, clerks of circuit courts, and notaries public can all perform the ceremony. A captain on a ship can do it too, as long as the captain is a notary and the ship is in Florida waters within three geographic miles of the coast.

The Glades County clerk's website provides helpful details about the full marriage license process, including frequently asked questions about who can perform the ceremony and what documents you need to bring.

Once your ceremony takes place, the person who performed it must return the signed license to the Glades County clerk within 10 days. The clerk then files it and sends a copy to the state. You get one free certified copy. Extra copies cost $3.00 each.

How to Apply for a Glades County Marriage License

Both people must appear in person at the Glades County clerk's office. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. You also need your Social Security number, though you do not have to bring the card itself. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you can provide an Alien Registration Number instead of a Social Security number. There is no citizenship or residency requirement to get a marriage license in Glades County.

If you were married before, bring the date your last marriage ended. Know whether it ended by divorce, death, or annulment. The clerk needs this for the application. Under Florida Statute 741.04, both people must be at least 18 years old. No license will be given to anyone under 16, with or without parental consent. A 17-year-old may apply only with written consent from both parents, and the other party cannot be more than two years older.

A regularly ordained minister is someone recognized by their denomination to perform marriage ceremonies. This is a common question the Glades County clerk's office gets from people planning their wedding. Florida law does not limit you to any one type of ceremony, so you have many options for who performs the service.

Note: You must also read the Family Law Handbook from the Florida Bar before you apply.

Marriage License Fees in Glades County

The standard fee for a marriage license in Glades County is $86.00. This is set by state law under Florida Statute 741.01. Part of the fee goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund and part goes to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. The fee is the same at every clerk's office in Florida.

If both people complete a four-hour premarital preparation course, the fee drops to $61.00. You save $25.00 with the course. Bring the original certificate of completion when you apply at the Glades County clerk's office. Under Florida Statute 741.0305, the course must cover topics like communication skills, conflict management, and financial planning. Both people can take it together or on their own.

Extra certified copies cost $3.00 each. Your first copy comes with the license fee.

Glades County Marriage License Waiting Period

Florida residents face a three-day waiting period after they apply for a marriage license in Glades County. The license is not valid until three days pass from the date of the application. This rule comes from state law and applies to all Florida residents.

There are two ways to skip the wait. First, both people can complete the four-hour premarital preparation course. This waives the waiting period and also cuts the fee. Second, if both people live outside Florida, there is no waiting period at all. The license becomes valid right away for out-of-state couples. You can use the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers website to learn more about premarital course providers.

Once valid, the Glades County marriage license lasts 60 days. Under Florida Statute 741.041, no one may perform a ceremony after the 60-day window closes. If it expires, you have to apply again and pay the full fee. The license can be used anywhere in Florida, not just in Glades County.

Note: A marriage cannot be solemnized without a properly issued license per Florida Statute 741.08.

Glades County Marriage License Copies

After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the Glades County clerk. The clerk files the record and sends a copy to the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics. This process takes about 60 days. The state keeps marriage certificates from June 6, 1927 to the present.

You can order copies from the state by mail, in person at 1217 N Pearl St. in Jacksonville, or online through VitalChek. The state search fee is $5 for one calendar year and one certified copy. Extra copies cost $4 each. VitalChek adds its own $7 processing fee. For records before 1927, you must contact the Glades County clerk directly. The MyFloridaCounty portal can also help you search official records filed in any Florida county.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Glades County. You can apply for a marriage license in any Florida county, so if another office is more convenient, that works too.