Okaloosa County Marriage License Search

Okaloosa County marriage license records are handled by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Crestview. This county sits in the Florida panhandle along the Gulf Coast and includes cities like Fort Walton Beach, Destin, and Niceville. The clerk's office on James Lee Boulevard is where all marriage license applications are processed for Okaloosa County. Both people must visit together in person to apply, and the staff will walk you through each step of the process. All communities in Okaloosa County use this same clerk's office for marriage license needs.

Okaloosa County Clerk Marriage License Office

The Okaloosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court manages all marriage license services. The main office is in Crestview, the county seat. Under Florida Statute 741.01, the clerk has the sole authority to issue marriage licenses in Okaloosa County. Both applicants must appear together to complete the application.

The Okaloosa County Clerk's website at okaloosaclerk.com provides info about services, fees, and office locations. Check the site before you visit to make sure you know what to bring. The clerk's staff can also answer questions over the phone if you need help planning your visit.

The clerk's office is located at 101 E. James Lee Blvd. in Crestview. It is open on weekdays during normal business hours. Residents from Fort Walton Beach, Destin, and Niceville all drive to the Crestview office for marriage licenses.

How to Get a Marriage License in Okaloosa County

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

Previous marriages require extra paperwork. You need the date the marriage ended and whether it was by divorce, death, or annulment. The clerk also asks for the state and county where the divorce took place. Having all of this ready saves time at the Okaloosa County office. Same-sex couples can apply on the same terms as any other couple.

The Florida Bar Family Law Handbook should be read before you go. The clerk asks if you have reviewed it during the application. It is a short guide about marriage and family law in Florida.

Note: Okaloosa County has a large military population, and service members with military ID can use that as their photo identification.

Okaloosa County Marriage License Fees

A marriage license in Okaloosa County costs $86. This is the same fee across all of Florida. If both people take a four-hour premarital course, the fee drops to $61. Florida Statute 741.0305 allows this $25 discount. Bring the original completion certificate to the clerk.

The fee breaks down into portions that go to state trust funds. Part funds the Domestic Violence Trust Fund, and another part goes to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted at the Okaloosa County Clerk. Card transactions may carry a small processing fee.

Waiting Period for Okaloosa County Marriage License

Florida residents face a three-day wait after they get a marriage license in Okaloosa County. The license is not valid until the three days pass. This is a statewide rule under Florida law. You cannot hold the wedding ceremony until the wait is over.

Take a four-hour premarital course to skip it. The course must be from a provider registered with the Okaloosa County Clerk. Bring the original certificate when you apply, and the license becomes valid right away. The fee also drops to $61. Out-of-state couples have no waiting period at all. This is helpful for destination weddings along the Destin and Fort Walton Beach areas of Okaloosa County, where many out-of-state visitors plan beach ceremonies.

Note: The premarital course covers communication, conflict management, finances, and parenting responsibilities.

After Your Okaloosa County Wedding

The signed marriage license must be sent back to the Okaloosa County Clerk within 10 days of the ceremony. The officiant usually does this. The clerk records it and sends a copy to the Florida Department of Health. Under Florida Statute 741.041, your license is valid for 60 days from the issue date. If the ceremony does not happen within that time, the license expires and you must apply again.

Under Florida Statute 741.07, ordained ministers, judicial officers, clerks of the circuit court, and notaries public can perform marriages in Okaloosa County. You can search for recorded marriage records through the MyFloridaCounty official records portal. The Florida Department of Health keeps marriage certificates from 1927 to the present.

Cities in Okaloosa County

All communities in Okaloosa County use the clerk's office in Crestview for marriage license services. Major cities in the county include Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Niceville, and Crestview itself. Destin is a popular beach destination that draws many couples for weddings, but the license must still be obtained from the clerk in Crestview. None of these cities have separate clerk offices for marriage license applications.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Okaloosa County in the Florida panhandle. A marriage license from any Florida county is valid statewide.