Search Martin County Marriage License

Martin County marriage license records are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Stuart. The clerk's office processes all new marriage license applications and stores the recorded documents after each wedding ceremony. Whether you are planning to get married or need to look up a past marriage license in Martin County, the clerk's office on East Ocean Boulevard is where everything starts. Both parties must visit this office together to apply for a license. All Martin County communities, from Stuart to Jensen Beach and Indiantown, use this single office for marriage license services.

Martin County Clerk of Court for Marriage Licenses

The Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court handles all marriage license applications from the main office in Stuart. This is the only location in Martin County where you can get a marriage license. The staff at this office guides you through the application steps, checks your documents, and collects the fee. Under Florida Statute 741.01, the clerk has the authority to issue every marriage license in the county.

The Martin County Clerk's website at martinclerk.com has forms, fee details, and general instructions for anyone planning to apply. Check the site before your visit to make sure you have everything ready.

The office sits at 100 E. Ocean Blvd. in Stuart. It is open on weekdays during regular business hours. Walk-ins are accepted, but calling ahead can help you plan your visit better if you want to avoid any wait.

How to Get a Marriage License in Martin County

Both people must visit the Martin County Clerk's office at the same time. Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all work. You also need your Social Security number, but the card itself is not required. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old under Florida Statute 741.04. A 17-year-old can apply with consent from both parents, as long as the other person is not more than two years older.

If you were married before, the clerk will need the date your prior marriage ended. You need to know if it ended through divorce, death, or annulment. Have this information ready when you arrive at the Martin County courthouse in Stuart. The process runs faster when you come prepared.

The Florida Bar Family Law Handbook is something you should read before you apply. The clerk will ask if you have looked through it. It covers the basics of marriage law in Florida and is available in English, Spanish, and Creole.

Note: A marriage license from Martin County is valid for use anywhere in the state of Florida.

Martin County Marriage License Fees

A standard marriage license in Martin County costs $86. This matches every other county in Florida. The fee drops to $61 if both people complete a four-hour premarital preparation course before they apply. Florida Statute 741.0305 allows this $25 reduction. You must bring the original course certificate to the clerk's office.

The Martin County Clerk accepts several forms of payment. Cash and checks are always an option. Credit cards may come with a small processing fee. Part of your license fee goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund and part goes to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. These splits are set by state law.

Waiting Period for Martin County Marriage License

There is a three-day waiting period for Florida residents who apply for a marriage license in Martin County. The license is not valid until those three days pass. You cannot hold the wedding during the wait. This rule applies in every Florida county under state law.

The wait can be skipped. Take a four-hour premarital course from a provider registered with the Martin County Clerk. Bring the original certificate when you apply. The license will be valid right away. Many couples in Martin County take this step so they can get married the same day they get the license. Couples from out of state do not have to wait at all, whether they take a course or not. The premarital course also lowers the fee from $86 to $61, so it saves money too.

Note: Both people must complete the premarital course for the waiting period to be waived in Martin County.

After Your Martin County Wedding

After the ceremony, the signed marriage license must be sent back to the Martin County Clerk. The officiant usually handles this. It needs to be returned within 10 days. The clerk records the license and sends a copy to the Florida Department of Health. Under Florida Statute 741.041, the license is valid for 60 days from the date it was issued. If the ceremony does not take place in that window, the license expires.

Under Florida Statute 741.07, ordained ministers, judicial officers, clerks of the circuit court, and notaries public can all perform marriages in Martin County. Retired judges can also officiate. You can get a certified copy of your recorded license from the Martin County Clerk or from the Florida Department of Health. The state holds records from June 6, 1927 to the present.

You can also search for Martin County marriage records through the MyFloridaCounty official records portal, which connects to clerk records across all 67 Florida counties.

Cities in Martin County

All cities and communities in Martin County use the clerk's office in Stuart for marriage license services. Stuart is the county seat. Other areas in Martin County include Jensen Beach, Palm City, Hobe Sound, and Indiantown. None of these communities have separate clerk offices for marriage licenses.

Nearby Counties

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