Lake County Marriage License

Lake County marriage license applications are processed by the Clerk of Courts at the main office in Tavares. Whether you need to apply for a new marriage license or search for an existing record, the Lake County Clerk handles it all. Both people must show up in person for the license to be issued. Residents of Tavares, Clermont, Leesburg, Eustis, Mount Dora, and other Lake County communities all use the same clerk's office. The process is straightforward, and no appointment is needed to walk in and get started on your marriage license application.

Lake County Clerk of Courts Marriage Services

The Lake County Clerk of Courts handles all marriage license applications from the main office at 550 W. Main St. in Tavares. The clerk issues licenses under Florida Statute 741.01, which gives county clerks across Florida the authority to issue these documents. Walk-ins are welcome, and no appointment is needed.

The Lake County Clerk's marriage licenses page has all the details you need before your visit, including accepted forms of ID and what documents to bring.

For mail correspondence, you can send documents to PO Box 7800, Tavares, FL 32778-7800. If you have questions before your trip, call the clerk's office at (352) 253-2648.

How to Get a Lake County Marriage License

Both people must appear in person at the Lake County Clerk's office in Tavares. Bring a valid photo ID. This can be a driver's license, state ID, or passport. You also need to know your Social Security number. The card itself is not needed. Under Florida Statute 741.04, both applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply without parental consent.

If either person was married before, bring the date the prior marriage ended. The clerk will ask whether it ended by divorce, death, or annulment. Know the state and county where the divorce was filed. This info is part of the standard application in Lake County.

The Florida Bar Family Law Handbook must be read before you apply. The clerk will ask about it during the process.

Note: No blood test is needed for a marriage license in Lake County or anywhere else in Florida.

Lake County Marriage License Fees

The standard fee for a marriage license in Lake County is $86. Both people can bring that down to $61 by completing a four-hour premarital course before applying. Florida Statute 741.0305 allows this $25 reduction when the original certificate of completion is presented at the clerk's office. The course covers topics like communication, conflict management, and financial planning.

Part of the fee goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Another part goes to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. These amounts are set by state law and apply in every Florida county. The Lake County Clerk's office accepts common payment methods. Check with the office if you need to confirm what they take.

Waiting Period for Lake County Marriage License

Florida residents face a three-day waiting period after getting a marriage license in Lake County. The license is not valid until those three days pass. You cannot hold the ceremony during the wait. This rule is part of Florida Statute 741.04.

Want to skip the wait? Take a four-hour premarital course. Both people must complete it from a provider registered with the Lake County Clerk. Bring the original certificate when you apply, and the license is valid right away. Out-of-state couples do not wait, with or without a course.

After the Ceremony in Lake County

Once the wedding takes place, the signed marriage license must be returned to the Lake County Clerk within 10 days. The person who performs the ceremony is usually the one who sends it back. The clerk records the license and sends a copy to the Florida Department of Health. This state filing process takes around 60 days.

The license is good for 60 days from the issue date. Under Florida Statute 741.041, no one can perform a ceremony after the license has expired. If that happens, you need to apply again in Lake County with a new fee. Under Florida Statute 741.07, ordained ministers, judicial officers, clerks of the circuit court, and notaries public can officiate.

Note: The ceremony can take place anywhere in Florida, not just in Lake County.

Copies of Lake County Marriage License Records

Get copies from the Lake County Clerk in Tavares. The MyFloridaCounty official records portal lets you search recorded documents in Lake County online. Certified copies may require an in-person or mail request to the clerk's office.

The Florida Department of Health also holds marriage certificates from June 6, 1927 to the present. Order through the Bureau of Vital Statistics or VitalChek, the state's contracted online vendor. The search fee is $5 for one year and one certified copy.

Cities in Lake County

All cities and towns in Lake County use the clerk's office in Tavares for marriage license services. Lake County has several communities including Clermont, Leesburg, Eustis, Mount Dora, Lady Lake, Groveland, Minneola, and Fruitland Park. None of these cities have separate clerk offices for marriage licenses. Everyone goes to the Tavares location.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lake County. You can apply for a marriage license in any Florida county and use it anywhere in the state.