St. Johns County Marriage License

St. Johns County marriage license applications are processed at the Clerk of the Circuit Court in St. Augustine. The clerk handles new applications, records completed licenses after each ceremony, and keeps copies on file for public access. Residents of St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Augustine Beach, Hastings, and all other St. Johns County communities share this one office. You can search for old marriage license records or apply for a new one right at the clerk's office on Lewis Speedway. Both people must visit at the same time to get a marriage license in St. Johns County.

St. Johns County Clerk Marriage License Office

The St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court issues every marriage license in the county. The main office is at 4010 Lewis Speedway in St. Augustine. Both people show up in person. Staff at the clerk's office check your IDs, collect the fee, and process the application. The whole thing takes around 20 to 30 minutes when you come prepared. St. Johns County has grown fast in recent years, so the clerk's office stays busy. Calling ahead to check wait times is always a smart move.

Florida Statute 741.01 gives the clerk sole authority to issue marriage licenses. No other office in St. Johns County can do it. The clerk's website has details on office hours, location, and other services the recording division provides.

The St. Johns County Clerk website shown above includes links to recording services and other public records for the county.

Note: St. Johns County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Florida, so plan your visit early in the day to avoid long waits.

How to Apply for a St. Johns County Marriage License

Both applicants go to the St. Johns County Clerk in St. Augustine together. Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card will work. You need your Social Security number too. You do not have to bring the card itself. Florida Statute 741.04 requires both people to be at least 18. A 17-year-old may apply with both parents' consent if the other person is within two years of age.

Prior marriages must be disclosed. The St. Johns County clerk needs the date the last marriage ended and whether it was by divorce, death, or annulment. Know the state and county of any prior divorce. You also need to have read the Family Law Handbook from the Florida Bar.

Florida residents face a three-day waiting period after getting a St. Johns County marriage license. Taking a four-hour premarital course eliminates the wait and saves $25 on the fee. Out-of-state couples do not wait at all.

St. Johns County Marriage License Fees

A marriage license in St. Johns County costs $86. All Florida counties charge this same amount. Complete a premarital preparation course and the fee drops to $61. Florida Statute 741.0305 provides the $25 discount. The course runs at least four hours and covers communication, conflict resolution, finances, and parenting. Bring the original certificate to the St. Johns County clerk's office.

The clerk accepts cash and other common forms of payment. A card surcharge may apply. Part of the license fee goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Another portion goes to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. These amounts are fixed by the Florida legislature.

Marriage License Rules in St. Johns County

Your St. Johns County marriage license is valid for 60 days after the clerk issues it. Florida Statute 741.041 governs this deadline. If the ceremony does not happen within 60 days, the license expires. You would need to apply again and pay a new fee. The ceremony can happen anywhere in Florida. You do not have to get married in St. Johns County just because the license was issued there.

After the ceremony, the person who performed the wedding returns the signed license to the St. Johns County Clerk. The clerk records it and sends a copy to the Florida Department of Health. Under Florida Statute 741.07, ordained ministers, judicial officers, clerks of the circuit court, and notaries public can perform marriages in the county. The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers website has a full rundown of the rules that apply statewide.

Copies of St. Johns County Marriage Records

Recorded marriage licenses in St. Johns County are on file at the clerk's office. Request copies in person, by mail, or search online through the MyFloridaCounty portal. The Florida Department of Health keeps marriage certificates from 1927 forward. VitalChek is the state's only approved vendor for ordering copies online.

The state search fee is $5 for one year and one certified copy. Additional copies are $4 each. A $10 rush fee applies for records before 1970.

Note: St. Johns County marriages before 1927 are only on file at the local clerk's office, not with the state.

Cities in St. Johns County

St. Johns County includes St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Augustine Beach, Hastings, and several other communities. None of these cities have a population above 75,000, so there are no individual city pages. All residents use the St. Augustine clerk's office for marriage license services. The county has seen rapid growth in recent years, particularly in the Ponte Vedra and World Golf Village areas.

Nearby Counties

St. Johns County borders these Florida counties. A marriage license from any Florida county is valid statewide, so you can apply wherever is most convenient.