Marion County Marriage License

Marion County marriage license applications are handled by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the courthouse in Ocala. Both people who plan to marry must visit the clerk's office in person to complete the process. You can start the application online through the Marion County Clerk's website, which can save time on the day of your visit. The clerk's office also records each license after the ceremony takes place and files it with the state. Residents across Marion County, from Ocala to Belleview and Dunnellon, all use this same office for marriage license needs.

Marion County Clerk of Court Marriage Services

The Marion County Clerk of the Circuit Court runs all marriage license services from the main courthouse in Ocala. This is where you go to apply for a new license, pick up your license after the waiting period, or get a copy of a recorded marriage license. The staff at this office can walk you through each step of the process. They answer questions about fees, forms, and what you need to bring.

Marion County lets you start the marriage license application online. This pre-application step saves time when you show up at the clerk's office. You still have to go in person to finish the process, but having the form filled out ahead of time means less time at the counter. The clerk's office follows Florida Statute 741.01, which gives the clerk the power to issue marriage licenses across the county. Every couple in Marion County goes through this same office.

The Marion County Clerk's website at marioncountyclerk.org has links to forms, fee schedules, and instructions for the full marriage license process.

The clerk's office is open on weekdays. Walk-ins are welcome, but you can also schedule a time so you do not have to wait. Call the office to set up your visit if you want to plan ahead.

How to Apply for a Marion County Marriage License

Both applicants must appear in person at the Marion County Clerk's office in Ocala. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. You need to know your Social Security number, though you do not need to bring the card. Under Florida Statute 741.04, both people must be at least 18 years old to apply. A 17-year-old can apply with written consent from both parents, but the other person cannot be more than two years older.

If either person was married before, bring the exact date your last marriage ended. You need to know if it ended by divorce, death, or annulment. The clerk will ask for the state and county where the prior marriage was dissolved. Have this info ready before you go to the Marion County courthouse.

You should also read the Family Law Handbook before you apply. The Florida Bar publishes this guide, and the clerk's office will ask if you have read it as part of the application process.

Note: Marion County accepts online pre-applications, which can cut down your time at the clerk's office.

Marriage License Fees in Marion County

The standard fee for a marriage license in Marion County is $86. This is the same fee charged by every county in Florida. If both people complete a four-hour premarital preparation course before they apply, the fee drops to $61. That $25 savings is allowed under Florida Statute 741.0305. You need to bring the original completion certificate when you visit the Marion County Clerk.

Part of the $86 fee goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Another part goes to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. The Marion County Clerk's office accepts cash, checks, and credit cards for payment. Some card payments may have a small processing fee added on.

Certified copies of a recorded Marion County marriage license cost about $3 each. If you need a copy for legal reasons or personal records, you can get one at the clerk's office in Ocala or search for it through the MyFloridaCounty official records portal.

Marion County Marriage License Waiting Period

Florida residents face a three-day waiting period. The license is not valid until three full days pass after it was issued. You cannot hold the ceremony during the wait. This rule comes from Florida Statute 741.04 and applies to all Florida counties, including Marion County.

You can skip the wait entirely. Take a four-hour premarital course from a provider registered with the Marion County Clerk. Bring the original certificate of completion when you apply. The license becomes valid right away, and the fee also drops to $61. Couples who take the course in Marion County can get married the same day they pick up the license. Out-of-state residents do not have a waiting period at all, regardless of whether they take a course.

After the Wedding in Marion County

The signed marriage license must go back to the Marion County Clerk within 10 days of the ceremony. The officiant usually takes care of this. The clerk records the license and sends a copy to the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. It takes about 60 days for the state to process the filing. Under Florida Statute 741.041, the license is only valid for 60 days from the date it was issued, so the ceremony must happen within that window.

Several types of people can officiate a wedding in Marion County. Under Florida Statute 741.07, ordained ministers, judicial officers, clerks of the circuit court, and notaries public can all perform marriages. Retired judges are included too.

The Florida Department of Health keeps marriage certificates from June 6, 1927 to the present. You can order certified copies from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville, or through VitalChek, the state's contracted vendor.

Note: If the ceremony does not happen within 60 days, the Marion County marriage license expires and you must apply again.

Cities in Marion County

All cities and towns in Marion County use the clerk's office in Ocala for marriage license services. Ocala is the county seat and the largest city in the area. Other Marion County communities include Belleview, Dunnellon, and Reddick. None of these smaller towns have their own clerk offices, so everyone in the county goes to the Ocala courthouse.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Marion County. A marriage license from any Florida county is valid statewide, so you can apply at whichever clerk's office is most convenient.