Find Orange County Marriage License

Orange County marriage license applications are processed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Orlando. This is one of the busiest clerk offices in Florida, serving the large population of the greater Orlando area. The clerk's main office on North Orange Avenue handles all marriage license services for the county. Both people must show up in person to apply. Whether you live in Orlando, Alafaya, Pine Hills, or Winter Park, you can get your marriage license at the Orange County Clerk's office. The clerk also provides an online pre-application to speed up the process.

Orange County Clerk of Court Marriage Services

The Orange County Clerk of Courts provides marriage license services from the main courthouse in downtown Orlando. Under Florida Statute 741.01, the clerk is the official authority for issuing marriage licenses in Orange County. Both applicants must visit together. The staff checks your documents, collects the fee, and walks you through the application.

Orange County handles a high volume of marriage license applications. The area draws many visitors from around the world because of its theme parks and attractions, so the clerk's office sees both local residents and out-of-state couples. The Orange County Clerk marriage license page has details on what to bring, fees, and the process for applying.

The clerk offers an online pre-application. This lets you fill out the paperwork before your visit, so you spend less time at the counter. It is not required, but it saves time when the office is busy.

You can reach the clerk's office for questions about your marriage license by calling or checking the Orange County Clerk contact page.

How to Apply for an Orange County Marriage License

Both people must visit the Orange County Clerk's office in person. 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 person is not more than two years older.

If either person was married before, bring the date the prior marriage ended. The clerk needs to know if it ended by divorce, death, or annulment and the state and county where it happened. This info is required to process the application in Orange County. Have everything ready before you go to save time at the office.

Read the Family Law Handbook before your visit. The Florida Bar publishes this guide. The clerk asks if you have reviewed it as part of the application process in Orange County.

Orange County Marriage License Fees

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

Part of the license fee funds the Domestic Violence Trust Fund, and another portion goes to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. The Orange County Clerk accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. A small processing fee may apply to card transactions. Certified copies of a recorded marriage license cost about $3 each.

Note: The fee is the same whether you are a Florida resident or visiting from out of state.

Orange County Marriage License Waiting Period

Florida residents face a three-day waiting period after getting a marriage license in Orange County. The license is not valid until three full days have passed. This is a statewide rule under Florida law.

Skip the wait by taking a four-hour premarital preparation course. The course must be from a provider registered with the Orange County Clerk. Bring the original certificate, and the license becomes valid right away. The fee also drops to $61. This is popular with couples who are visiting Orlando for a vacation and want to get married during their trip. Out-of-state residents have no waiting period, so they can get married the same day they get the license from the Orange County Clerk.

After the Ceremony in Orange County

Once the wedding takes place, the signed license must go back to the Orange County Clerk within 10 days. The officiant typically handles this. The clerk records the license and sends a copy to the Florida Department of Health. Under Florida Statute 741.041, the license is only good for 60 days from the date it was issued. If the ceremony does not happen in time, the license expires.

Under Florida Statute 741.07, ordained ministers, judicial officers, clerks of the circuit court, and notaries public can officiate weddings in Orange County. Retired judges can also perform the ceremony. You can search for recorded Orange County marriage records through the MyFloridaCounty portal. The Florida Department of Health has marriage certificates from 1927 to the present.

Cities in Orange County

Orange County is home to several large cities, all of which use the Orange County Clerk in Orlando for marriage license services. The county seat is Orlando, which is also the most populated city in the area.

Other Orange County communities include Winter Park, Apopka, Ocoee, and Winter Garden. All residents go to the clerk's office in Orlando for marriage license applications.

Nearby Counties

These counties surround Orange County in central Florida. A marriage license from any Florida county works statewide.