Hendry County Marriage License

Hendry County marriage license services are provided by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, with offices in both LaBelle and Clewiston. This south Florida county offers something that many smaller counties do not: the clerk's office will perform your wedding ceremony right there for a small fee. If you need to apply for a new marriage license or look up an existing one, the Hendry County clerk can help. Appointments are required for all marriage license applications, so make sure to call before you visit either location.

Hendry County Clerk of Court Offices

The Hendry County Clerk of the Circuit Court issues marriage licenses by appointment only. The main office is at 25 E. Hickpochee Ave in LaBelle, FL 33935. Call (863) 675-5217 to set up your appointment. The Clewiston branch can be reached at (863) 983-1586. Office hours are 8:30 AM to 4:45 PM at both locations.

Both parties must be there when you apply. You sign the application form and take an oath that everything you provided is true. U.S. citizens need to bring documentation with their full name and Social Security number. A driver's license, state ID, or passport works as your photo ID. If your former spouse has passed away, you need to bring the death certificate as proof.

The Hendry County clerk's website has all the details about the marriage license process, including a breakdown of fees based on residency and premarital course status.

The mailing address for the Hendry County clerk is PO Box 1760, LaBelle, FL 33975. Use this for any mail requests or if you need to send documents after the ceremony.

Hendry County Marriage License Fees

The fee depends on your residency status and whether you took a premarital course. If both people are Florida residents and both completed the course, the fee is $61.00 with no waiting period. If both people are non-residents, the fee is $86.00 with no waiting period. For mixed couples where one person is a Florida resident and one is not, the fee is $86.00. If neither took the course, there is a three-day wait. If at least one person took the course, the wait is waived.

Under Florida Statute 741.0305, the premarital preparation course must be at least four hours. It covers communication, conflict resolution, finances, and parenting. Bring the original certificate when you visit the Hendry County clerk. The first certified copy of your marriage license is free. Each extra copy costs $3.00.

Note: Appointments are required for all marriage license applications at the Hendry County clerk's office.

Wedding Ceremonies at Hendry County Clerk

The Hendry County clerk's office performs wedding ceremonies for $30.00. This is a nice option if you want a quick civil ceremony without the cost of a larger event. You must arrive at the office by 3:30 PM with your valid marriage license in hand. The ceremony takes place by 4:30 PM. This service is available at the clerk's office during regular business hours.

If you prefer a different officiant, Florida Statute 741.07 lists who can legally perform a marriage in Florida. Ordained ministers, judicial officers, clerks of circuit courts, and notaries public are all authorized. You have lots of choices for your Hendry County ceremony.

Hendry County Marriage License Age Rules

Under Florida Statute 741.04, both people must be at least 18. No license goes to anyone 16 or younger. A 17-year-old can apply, but only with written consent from both parents. The other party cannot be more than two years older. If the other person is 20 or older, the Hendry County clerk will not issue the license to a 17-year-old.

These age rules are strict. They apply at every county in Florida. The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers website spells out all the statewide rules, including age requirements for Hendry County and every other Florida county.

Get Hendry County Marriage License Copies

After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the Hendry County clerk. The clerk files it and sends a copy to the Florida Department of Health. The state keeps marriage certificates from 1927 to the present. You can order state copies by mail, in person in Jacksonville, or through VitalChek.

For Hendry County records, call (863) 675-5217. The MyFloridaCounty portal also lets you search official records from any Florida county. The license is valid for 60 days under Florida Statute 741.041, and you can hold the ceremony anywhere in the state.

Nearby Counties

Hendry County shares borders with several south Florida counties. You can get a marriage license at any county clerk's office in Florida and use it statewide.