Find Miami-Dade County Marriage License

Miami-Dade County marriage license applications are processed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at multiple locations across the county. As the most populated county in Florida, Miami-Dade serves a large number of couples each year through its marriage license services. The main office sits on West Flagler Street in downtown Miami, but other service locations are spread throughout the county for convenience. Whether you live in Miami, Hialeah, Homestead, or any other part of Miami-Dade County, you can apply for a marriage license at any of these clerk locations. Both people must appear together to complete the process.

Miami-Dade Clerk of Court Marriage License Office

The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts is the official record keeper for the county and handles all marriage license services. The main courthouse is at 73 W. Flagler Street in Miami. This is the largest clerk's office in the county, but it is not the only one. Miami-Dade has multiple service locations where couples can apply for a marriage license. This setup makes things easier for people who live in different parts of this large county.

The clerk's office follows Florida Statute 741.01, which gives the clerk the power to issue marriage licenses. Every couple in Miami-Dade County goes through this office, no matter which location they choose. The staff at each site can handle the full application from start to finish. They check your documents, collect the fee, and issue the license.

The Miami-Dade Clerk's website at miamidadeclerk.gov has a full list of service locations, hours, and the forms you need for a marriage license application.

Because of how large Miami-Dade County is, having multiple offices spread across the area saves couples from having to drive all the way to downtown Miami. Check the clerk's site to find the location closest to you.

How to Apply for a Miami-Dade Marriage License

Both people must go to a Miami-Dade County Clerk location in person. Bring a valid photo ID like a driver's license, state ID, or passport. You need your Social Security number, though you do not have to bring the card. Under Florida Statute 741.04, both applicants must be 18 or older. A person who is 17 can apply with consent from both parents, but the other party cannot be more than two years older.

If either person was married before, you need the exact date that marriage ended. The clerk will ask if it ended by divorce, death, or annulment. You also need the state and county where the divorce took place. Come to the Miami-Dade clerk's office with this info ready so the process goes smoothly.

You should read the Family Law Handbook before your visit. The Florida Bar publishes this guide in English, Spanish, and Creole. The clerk will ask you about it during the application.

Note: Miami-Dade County processes a high volume of marriage license applications, so arriving early in the day is a good idea.

Marriage License Fees in Miami-Dade County

The standard fee for a marriage license in Miami-Dade County is $86. Every Florida county charges this same amount. If both people complete a four-hour premarital preparation course before applying, the cost drops to $61. Florida Statute 741.0305 allows this $25 reduction. You need the original certificate of completion when you visit the clerk.

The Miami-Dade Clerk accepts various payment methods. Part of the license fee goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund, and another part to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. These are state-mandated splits that apply in every county. Certified copies of a recorded marriage license from Miami-Dade County typically cost about $3 each.

The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers website has a full breakdown of the fee structure and what it covers statewide.

Miami-Dade County Marriage License Waiting Period

Florida residents who apply for a marriage license in Miami-Dade County face a three-day waiting period. The license is not valid for use until three full days have passed. This comes from Florida Statute 741.04. You cannot hold the ceremony during the wait.

Take a four-hour premarital course to skip the wait. The course must be from a provider registered with the Miami-Dade Clerk. Bring the original certificate of completion when you apply, and the license will be valid right away. The fee also drops to $61, so it saves time and money. Many couples in Miami-Dade take this step to get married the same day they receive the license. Couples from out of state have no waiting period at all.

After the Wedding in Miami-Dade County

The signed marriage license must go back to the Miami-Dade Clerk within 10 days of the ceremony. The person who performed the wedding usually sends it back. The clerk records the license and forwards a copy to the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. That state-level 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 perform a marriage in Miami-Dade County. Retired judges are also allowed to officiate. Under Florida Statute 741.041, the license expires after 60 days if no ceremony takes place.

You can get copies of recorded Miami-Dade County marriage records from the clerk's office or through the MyFloridaCounty official records portal. The Florida Department of Health holds marriage certificates from June 6, 1927 to the present.

Note: If you need a certified copy quickly, you can also order one through VitalChek, the state's contracted vendor.

Cities in Miami-Dade County

Miami-Dade County is the most populated county in Florida. It has many large cities, and all of them use the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts for marriage license services. Residents from across the county can apply at any clerk location.

Other communities in Miami-Dade County include Coral Gables, North Miami, Aventura, and Cutler Bay. All residents file for a marriage license through the same county clerk offices.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Miami-Dade County. A Florida marriage license works anywhere in the state, so you can apply at whichever clerk is closest to you.