Sumter County Marriage License

Sumter County marriage license records are filed at the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Bushnell. The clerk's office processes all new applications, records completed licenses after each ceremony, and keeps copies on file. Residents of The Villages, Bushnell, Wildwood, Coleman, and Webster all use this one office for marriage license services. Whether you need a new license or want to search for one that was already recorded, the Sumter County Clerk on East McCollum Avenue handles it. Both people must come to the clerk's office together to complete the application.

Sumter County Clerk of Court Marriage License Office

The Sumter County Clerk of the Circuit Court is the sole office that issues marriage licenses in the county. It sits at 215 E. McCollum Avenue in Bushnell. Both applicants appear in person. The staff checks your IDs, takes the fee, and processes the application. Most visits take about 20 to 30 minutes if you have all your documents in order.

Sumter County has grown significantly due to the expansion of The Villages, a large retirement community that spans parts of Sumter, Lake, and Marion counties. The clerk's office in Bushnell handles a growing number of marriage license applications each year. Under Florida Statute 741.01, only the clerk of the circuit court has the authority to issue a marriage license in the county.

Visit the Sumter County Clerk's website for current hours, directions, and links to forms and recording services.

The Sumter County Clerk's homepage above includes links to recording services and public records search options for county residents.

How to Apply for a Sumter County Marriage License

Both people go to the Sumter County Clerk's office in Bushnell. Bring a valid photo ID. Driver's license, passport, or state ID all work. You need your Social Security number too, though the card is not required. Florida Statute 741.04 requires both applicants to be at least 18 years old. A 17-year-old may apply with both parents' written consent if the other person is not more than two years older.

If either person was married before, you need the date the prior marriage ended and whether it was by divorce, death, or annulment. The state and county of any prior divorce must also be provided. Read the Family Law Handbook from the Florida Bar before you visit the Sumter County Clerk.

Florida residents face a three-day waiting period after applying. Take a four-hour premarital course and the wait goes away. You also save $25 on the fee. Out-of-state couples skip the waiting period entirely, with or without a course.

Note: Residents of The Villages who live in the Sumter County portion go to the Bushnell clerk's office for marriage licenses.

Sumter County Marriage License Fees

A marriage license in Sumter County costs $86. This is the standard fee across every Florida county. Complete a four-hour premarital preparation course and the fee drops to $61. Florida Statute 741.0305 allows this $25 reduction. The course must cover communication skills, conflict management, financial responsibilities, and parenting. Bring the original certificate of completion to the clerk in Bushnell.

The Sumter County Clerk accepts cash and other standard forms of payment. Credit cards may carry a small surcharge. Part of the $86 fee goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund and another part to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. These amounts come from state law and apply in all 67 counties.

Marriage License Rules in Sumter County

Your Sumter County marriage license stays valid for 60 days from the issue date. Florida Statute 741.041 sets the deadline. After 60 days, the license expires and you would need to start over. The ceremony can happen anywhere in Florida. Many Sumter County couples hold their weddings at venues in The Villages or at other locations around the state.

After the ceremony, the officiant sends the signed marriage license back to the Sumter County Clerk. The clerk records it and forwards a copy to the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. This state filing takes about 60 days. Under Florida Statute 741.07, ordained ministers, judicial officers, circuit court clerks, and notaries public can all perform wedding ceremonies in Sumter County.

The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers website has general guidance on the full marriage license process that applies in Sumter County and across the state.

Copies of Sumter County Marriage License Records

The Sumter County Clerk keeps recorded marriage licenses on file. Get copies in person at the Bushnell office or by mail. Search for official records online through the MyFloridaCounty portal. The Florida Department of Health holds marriage certificates from 1927 to the present. Order copies online through VitalChek, the state's only approved vendor.

The state search fee is $5 for one year and one certified copy. Extra copies cost $4 each.

Cities in Sumter County

Sumter County includes Bushnell, Wildwood, Coleman, Webster, and parts of The Villages. The Villages spans three counties, and residents who live in the Sumter County portion use the Bushnell clerk's office for marriage license services. The Villages is the only community in the county with a population over 75,000.

Wildwood, Coleman, and Webster residents also go to the Bushnell courthouse for all marriage license applications.

Nearby Counties

Sumter County borders these central Florida counties. A Florida marriage license is valid statewide. You can apply in whichever county works best for you.