Find Hardee County Marriage License

Hardee County marriage license applications go through the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Wauchula. This central Florida county has unique procedures that set it apart from other areas, including special options for incarcerated applicants. Whether you need a new marriage license or want to search for an older record, the Hardee County clerk's office is your resource. Both parties must appear together at the office to apply, and staff can guide you through each step of the filing process.

Hardee County Clerk of Court Office

The Hardee County Clerk of the Circuit Court handles all marriage licenses in the county. The office is located at 417 West Main St, Suite 214, in Wauchula. Call (863) 773-4174 for questions or to schedule your visit. Both applicants must come to the office at the same time to apply.

One important detail about Hardee County is that the clerk's office does not perform wedding ceremonies. You need to find your own officiant. Under Florida Statute 741.07, ordained ministers, judicial officers, clerks of circuit courts, and notaries public are all allowed to perform the ceremony. Pick anyone who fits one of these categories.

The Hardee County clerk's website provides a full breakdown of the marriage license process including application requirements and fee details.

Hardee County also has procedures for incarcerated applicants at the Hardee Correctional Institute. The person who is not incarcerated applies in person at the clerk's office. Documents are then mailed to the HCI Chaplain for the other party to sign. This is a special process that not many counties offer.

How to Apply for a Hardee County Marriage License

Both people must go to the Hardee County clerk's office in person. Bring a valid photo ID and your Social Security number. If you were married before, bring the month, day, and year of the divorce or the death of your former spouse. The state and county where the divorce took place should also be noted. The clerk needs all of this to process your application in Hardee County.

Under Florida Statute 741.04, applicants must be at least 18 years old. A 17-year-old may apply with written consent from both parents, as long as the other person is not more than two years older. Nobody under 16 can get a license. These rules apply across all Florida counties, including Hardee County.

The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers website explains the statewide application process. Review it before your visit to the Hardee County office.

Marriage License Fees in Hardee County

A standard marriage license costs $86.00 in Hardee County. Effective July 1, 2017, the fee dropped from $93.50 to this current rate. State law under Florida Statute 741.01 sets the fee for all 67 counties.

Complete a four-hour premarital preparation course and the Hardee County fee drops to $61.00. You save $25.00 and also skip the three-day waiting period. Bring the original certificate of completion. Copies are not accepted by the Hardee County clerk. Under Florida Statute 741.0305, the course covers communication, conflict management, finances, and parenting topics.

Extra certified copies of your filed marriage license cost $3.00 each in Hardee County. A certified copy of the marriage license will be mailed to the address you provide within 30 days from the date the clerk gets the signed license back.

Note: The Hardee County clerk's office accepts the original premarital course certificate only, not photocopies.

Hardee County Marriage License Waiting Period

Florida residents must wait three days. The license does not take effect until day four. This applies at the Hardee County clerk's office and at every other county office in the state. Out-of-state residents have no waiting period. Florida residents who both complete the premarital course also skip it.

The license is good for 60 days after it takes effect. Under Florida Statute 741.041, no ceremony can happen after the 60-day window closes. If the license expires, you have to start over and pay the full fee again. The Hardee County license is valid anywhere in Florida. You can hold the ceremony in a different county if you prefer.

After the wedding, the person who performed the ceremony must return the signed license to the Hardee County clerk within 10 days. The clerk records it and forwards a copy to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Hardee County Marriage License Records

You can get copies of filed marriage licenses from the Hardee County clerk or from the Florida Department of Health. The state has records from June 6, 1927 to the present. Order from the state by mail, walk-in at Jacksonville, or through VitalChek online. State copies cost $5 for a search and one certified copy.

For Hardee County records specifically, call the clerk at (863) 773-4174. The MyFloridaCounty portal lets you search official records from Hardee County and any other Florida county. Records before 1927 are only available at the county clerk level.

Nearby Counties

Hardee County borders several other central Florida counties. You can apply for a marriage license in any county and use it anywhere in the state.