Lafayette County Marriage License Search

Lafayette County marriage license applications are processed at the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Mayo. The clerk's office on West Main Street is the only place in the county where you can apply for a marriage license or look up existing records. Both people must come in together. Lafayette County is one of the smallest counties in Florida, and the clerk's office handles all marriage license services for the area, including communities throughout the county. Plan to arrive before 4:30 p.m. since licenses are not issued after that time.

Lafayette County Clerk of Court Office

The Lafayette County Clerk of the Circuit Court is in charge of issuing marriage licenses from the office at 120 W Main St in Mayo. No appointment is required. Walk in during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Keep in mind that licenses are not issued after 4:30 p.m., so plan your visit with some time to spare. The clerk serves as an agent for the State of Florida under Florida Statute 741.01.

The Lafayette County clerk's office also handles mail correspondence. You can send documents to P.O. Box 88, Mayo, FL 32066 if you need to reach them by mail. For questions about your application, call (386) 294-1600 or fax 386-294-4231.

Visit the Lafayette County Clerk homepage to find general info about the office and available services before your trip to Mayo.

The clerk's staff will help you fill out the forms and check your paperwork when you arrive.

Applying for a Marriage License in Lafayette County

Both applicants must go to the clerk's office in Mayo at the same time. Bring a valid photo ID and know your Social Security number. If you were married before, bring the exact date of your divorce, death of spouse, or annulment. The clerk will ask for the state and county where it happened. Under Florida Statute 741.04, both people must be 18 or older.

No blood test is needed. Florida abolished that requirement on October 1, 1986. Minors who can show they are parents or expectant parents may apply with a physician's verification, but this is a rare case. Same-gender couples can apply in Lafayette County on the same terms as everyone else.

You should read the Family Law Handbook before your visit. The Florida Bar publishes this guide, and the clerk will ask if you have read it during the application process.

Note: Both people must be present at the clerk's office, no exceptions.

Marriage License Fees in Lafayette County

The standard fee for a marriage license in Lafayette County is $86. If both applicants take a four-hour premarital preparation course, the fee is reduced to $61. This $25 savings is allowed under Florida Statute 741.0305. The course must be from a minister or counselor registered with the Lafayette County Clerk's office.

Part of the license fee goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. The rest goes to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. Check with the clerk about accepted payment methods when you arrive in Mayo.

Lafayette County Marriage License Waiting Period

There is a three-day waiting period for Florida residents who apply for a marriage license in Lafayette County. The license is not valid until three days pass from the date of issue. This rule has been in place since January 1, 1999.

You can skip the wait if both people take a four-hour premarital preparation course from a provider registered with the clerk. If only one person takes the course, the waiting period still applies. Bring the original certificate of completion to the office in Mayo. Out-of-state residents do not have to wait at all.

The license stays valid for 60 days after it is issued. Under Florida Statute 741.041, the ceremony must take place within this window or you must start over.

After the Wedding in Lafayette County

Once the ceremony is done, the signed license goes back to the Lafayette County Clerk. The officiant usually returns it within 10 days. The clerk records the document and sends a copy to the Florida Department of Health for permanent storage. This state filing takes about 60 days.

Under Florida Statute 741.07, ordained ministers, judicial officers, clerks of the circuit court, and notaries public can all perform wedding ceremonies in Florida. The ceremony can take place anywhere in the state, not just in Lafayette County.

Copies of Lafayette County Marriage Records

Contact the Lafayette County Clerk in Mayo for copies of recorded marriage licenses. The MyFloridaCounty portal lets you search official records filed in any Florida county online. For certified copies, reach out to the clerk directly by phone or mail.

The Florida Department of Health keeps marriage certificates from June 1927 to the present. You can order copies from the Bureau of Vital Statistics or through VitalChek.

Note: Marriages before June 1927 can only be found at the county clerk's office where the license was first issued.

Cities in Lafayette County

Lafayette County is one of Florida's least populated counties. Mayo is the county seat and the main community. All residents across Lafayette County use the clerk's office in Mayo for marriage license needs. There are no separate clerk offices elsewhere in the county.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lafayette County. A Florida marriage license works in all 67 counties, so you can apply wherever is most convenient.