Holmes County Marriage License Records

Holmes County marriage license applications are handled at the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Bonifay. This small Panhandle county in northwest Florida keeps the process simple and straightforward. No appointment is needed to apply for a marriage license in Holmes County. Just walk in during business hours with your partner and the right documents. The clerk's staff will take your application, collect the fee, and issue the license once all requirements are met.

Holmes County Clerk of Court Office

The Holmes County Clerk of the Circuit Court issues all marriage licenses in the county. The office is at 201 N Oklahoma St in Bonifay, FL 32425. You can call (850) 547-1100 for questions. The fax number is (850) 547-6630. The mailing address is P.O. Box 397, Bonifay, FL 32425.

Both applicants must appear in person at the Holmes County clerk's office. Bring valid government-issued photo identification. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all work. You also need a completed Holmes County, Florida Application for Marriage License. If you have been married before, the clerk needs the date your last marriage ended. Write down the month, day, and year.

The Holmes County clerk's marriage page has information about the application process, fees, and what documents to bring to the office.

One thing to know about Holmes County is that the clerk's office does not perform or solemnize marriages. You need to find your own officiant after you get the license. The clerk is also not responsible for name changes that follow a marriage. That is a separate process you handle on your own.

How to Get a Holmes County Marriage License

Walk into the Holmes County clerk's office with your partner during business hours. Both of you sign the application and take an oath that everything is true. Under Florida Statute 741.04, both applicants must be at least 18 years old. There is no blood test needed. No residency requirement exists either.

If you are a Florida resident and want the three-day waiting period waived, bring a letter or certificate showing you completed four hours of marriage counseling. The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers website has details on premarital course providers. Make sure to read the Family Law Handbook from the Florida Bar before your visit to Holmes County.

Note: The Holmes County clerk's office does not perform wedding ceremonies, so plan to find your own officiant.

Holmes County Marriage License Fees

The Holmes County clerk charges $86.00 for a marriage license without a marriage counseling certificate. This comes with a three-day waiting period for Florida residents. With a valid certificate showing four hours of marriage counseling, the fee drops to $61.00 and the waiting period is waived. Under Florida Statute 741.0305, the course saves you $25.00.

If you need a lost or duplicate license, the Holmes County fee is $30.00. An amended license also costs $30.00. The clerk accepts cash, cashier's checks, and money orders. Credit cards are accepted but there is a 3.5% service fee added to card payments. Plan your payment method ahead of time when visiting the Holmes County office.

After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the Holmes County clerk. Your first certified copy is free. Extra copies cost $3.00 each. The copy is usually ready within 7 days after the officiant brings the signed license back.

Holmes County Marriage License Validity

The Holmes County marriage license is valid for 60 days only. Under Florida Statute 741.041, no one can perform a ceremony after the license expires. The license is only good for marriages in the state of Florida. You cannot use a Holmes County license to get married in another state.

Under Florida Statute 741.07, ordained ministers, judicial officers, clerks of circuit courts, and notaries public can all perform the ceremony. The Holmes County clerk's FAQ section notes that even a ship captain can marry you if the captain is a notary and the ship is in Florida waters within three geographic miles of the coastline. A marriage cannot be solemnized without a properly issued license per Florida Statute 741.08.

After the wedding, the officiant returns the signed license to the Holmes County clerk within 10 days. The clerk files it and sends a copy to the state.

Holmes County Marriage License Copies

The Holmes County clerk keeps all filed marriage licenses on record. Copies are also sent to the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics. The state has records from 1927 to the present. You can order state copies by mail, in person in Jacksonville, or through VitalChek online.

For local Holmes County records, call (850) 547-1100. The MyFloridaCounty portal lets you search official records from Holmes County and all 67 Florida counties. The state search fee is $5 for one year and one certified copy. VitalChek adds its own $7 processing fee on top of the state charges.

Nearby Counties

Holmes County borders several other Panhandle counties in northwest Florida. You can get a marriage license at any county clerk's office in the state.