Search Gulf County Marriage License

Gulf County marriage license applications are handled by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Port St. Joe. This Panhandle county sits along the Gulf of Mexico coast. Whether you need to apply for a new marriage license or look up an existing record, the clerk's office in Gulf County is your starting point. An appointment is needed before you visit. Both parties must come to the office together to complete the process and sign the application form under oath.

Gulf County Clerk of Court Details

The Gulf County Clerk of the Circuit Court issues all marriage licenses in the county. The office is at 1000 Cecil G. Costin, Sr. Blvd., Room 148, in Port St. Joe. You can call them at (850) 639-5068, extension 1105. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern time.

Before you go to the Gulf County clerk's office, you need to start the process at home. Print out two copies of the Affidavit for Marriage License from the clerk's website. Each person fills out one affidavit. Use black ink only. Do not sign the affidavit at home. Wait until you get to the clerk's office to put your signature on it. The clerk will have you sign under oath at that time. Bring both completed affidavits with you to the Gulf County office.

The Gulf County clerk's marriage license page walks through the full application process and provides the affidavit form you need to fill out before your appointment.

Both parties must take an oath about the truth of their answers. If you have children together, you also need to fill out an Affirmation of Common Children form. The Gulf County clerk staff can help you with this at the office.

Note: An appointment is required before you visit the Gulf County clerk's office for a marriage license.

Gulf County Marriage License Requirements

Both people must show up in person. Bring a valid photo ID like a driver's license, state ID, or passport. You need to know your Social Security number. Under Florida Statute 741.04, both parties must be at least 18 years old to apply on their own. No blood test is needed. This rule was dropped years ago in Florida.

If either person was married before, the clerk needs to know when and how the last marriage ended. Bring the date of divorce or death of a former spouse. The Gulf County clerk will ask for this on the application. You should also read the Family Law Handbook from the Florida Bar before your visit. The clerk may ask if you have read it.

The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers website has a full overview of statewide requirements for marriage licenses. The rules are the same across all 67 counties, including Gulf County.

Marriage License Fees for Gulf County

A standard marriage license in Gulf County costs $86.00. This fee is set by Florida Statute 741.01 and is the same at every county clerk's office in the state. Part of the fee funds the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Part goes to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund.

You can lower the fee to $61.00. Both people need to take a four-hour premarital preparation course. Bring the original certificate when you apply at the Gulf County clerk's office. Under Florida Statute 741.0305, the course must cover communication skills, conflict management, financial responsibilities, and parenting topics. The course also waives the three-day waiting period for Florida residents.

Gulf County Marriage License Wait Time

Florida residents must wait three days after the application before the license takes effect. This is the rule in Gulf County and all other Florida counties. The waiting period starts on the day you apply. Your license becomes valid on day four.

Two groups skip the wait. Out-of-state residents have no waiting period at all. Florida residents who complete the premarital course also skip it. The Gulf County license stays valid for 60 days after it becomes effective. Under Florida Statute 741.041, the ceremony must happen within those 60 days or the license expires. You can get married anywhere in Florida with a Gulf County license. The county where you got it does not limit where the ceremony takes place.

Note: After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Gulf County clerk within 10 days.

Get Gulf County Marriage License Copies

The Gulf County clerk files the signed marriage license after the ceremony. A copy goes to the Florida Department of Health for permanent filing. This takes about 60 days from the ceremony date. The state holds marriage certificates from 1927 to the present.

You can order copies from the state by mail, at the Jacksonville walk-in office, or through VitalChek. The state fee is $5 for a search and one certified copy. VitalChek charges an extra $7 processing fee. For older records or local copies, contact the Gulf County clerk at (850) 639-5068. The MyFloridaCounty portal lets you search official records from any Florida county, including Gulf County.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Gulf County. You can apply for a marriage license at any Florida county clerk's office, so pick whichever is most convenient for you.