Madison County Marriage License Records

Madison County marriage license applications are processed at the Clerk of the Circuit Court on Range Street in Madison. The clerk handles all new license applications and stores recorded copies after each ceremony. If you need to apply for a marriage license in Madison County or look up an existing one, the clerk's office is the starting point. Both people must appear in person at the same time. Residents of Madison and all surrounding communities in the county use this same office for all marriage license needs.

Madison County Clerk of Court Marriage Services

The Madison County Clerk of the Circuit Court issues all marriage licenses from the office at 125 Range St #106 in Madison. No appointment is needed. Walk in during business hours and the staff will help you through the process. The clerk issues licenses under Florida Statute 741.01, which puts the clerk in charge of marriage license issuance in every Florida county.

The Madison County Clerk's marriage licenses page has specific details about requirements, fees, and what to expect during the application process. Check it out before you make the trip.

The office is open during standard business hours. Call (850) 973-1500 if you have questions about what to bring.

How to Apply for a Madison County Marriage License

Both applicants must go to the Madison County clerk's office at the same time. Bring a valid photo ID. This can be a driver's license, state ID, or passport. You need to provide your Social Security number, though the card itself is not needed. Under Florida Statute 741.04, both people must be at least 18 years old to apply on their own.

If either person has been married before, the clerk will need the exact date the prior marriage ended and whether it ended by divorce, death, or annulment. No blood test is needed. This requirement was abolished in Florida years ago.

You should read the Family Law Handbook before visiting. The Florida Bar publishes this guide, and the Madison County clerk will ask about it during the application process. Same-gender couples apply on the same terms as any other couple.

Note: Both people must be present at the clerk's office to complete the Madison County marriage license application.

Marriage License Fees in Madison County

The standard fee for a marriage license in Madison County is $86. This fee is reduced to $61 for Florida residents who have completed a premarital preparation course, as allowed by Florida Statute 741.0305. The course must be from a provider listed with the Madison County Clerk's office. You must present the certificate of completion at the time of application.

The course covers things like communication skills, conflict management, and financial responsibilities. Both people must complete it. Part of the license fee goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund and part to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund as set by the Florida legislature.

Madison County Marriage License Waiting Period

Florida residents face a three-day waiting period after applying for a marriage license in Madison County. The license is not valid until three days have passed from the date it was issued. This rule comes from Florida Statute 741.04.

Skip the wait by taking a four-hour premarital course. Both people need to complete it. The provider must be on the list at the Madison County clerk's office. Bring the original certificate of completion when you apply. The license becomes valid that same day, and you save $25 on the fee. Out-of-state couples do not have a waiting period.

The license is valid for 60 days after it is issued. Under Florida Statute 741.041, the ceremony has to happen within this 60-day window or the license expires and you must start over.

After the Wedding in Madison County

After the ceremony, the signed license must be returned to the Madison County Clerk within 10 days. The person who performs the wedding usually takes care of this. The clerk records the document and sends a copy to the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. This state filing takes about 60 days to process.

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

Note: If the license expires before the ceremony, you must reapply and pay a new fee at the Madison County clerk's office.

Copies of Madison County Marriage Records

Contact the Madison County Clerk's office for copies of recorded marriage licenses. The MyFloridaCounty official records portal lets you search for documents filed in Madison County and other Florida counties online. For certified copies, you can visit the office in person, call, or mail a request.

The Florida Department of Health holds marriage certificates from June 1927 to the present. You can order copies through the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville or through VitalChek, the state's only contracted online vendor for vital records.

Cities in Madison County

All communities in Madison County use the clerk's office in Madison for marriage license services. The city of Madison is the county seat. Other communities include Greenville, Lee, and Pinetta. None of these have separate clerk offices for marriage licenses.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Madison County. A Florida marriage license is valid statewide, so apply at whichever office works best for you.