Find Taylor County Marriage License Records

Taylor County marriage license applications are handled at the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Perry. The clerk's office on North Jefferson Street is the only place in the county where you can apply for a marriage license or search for recorded marriage records. Couples planning a wedding in or near Taylor County start here. The office files all completed licenses and forwards copies to the state for permanent storage. Whether you live in Perry, Steinhatchee, or any other part of Taylor County, the same clerk's office serves your marriage license needs.

Taylor County Clerk of Court Marriage Services

The Taylor County Clerk of the Circuit Court issues all marriage licenses in the county from its office in Perry. This is where both people must go in person to fill out the application and pay the fee. The clerk's staff will guide you through each part of the process. Taylor County is part of Florida's 3rd Judicial Circuit, and the clerk follows the same state rules that apply in every county.

Florida Statute 741.01 gives the clerk sole authority to issue marriage licenses. No other office in Taylor County can do this. The Taylor County Clerk also records completed licenses after the ceremony and keeps them on file at the courthouse in Perry. Staff can help with questions about the application, the fee, or what you need to bring.

Visit the Taylor County Clerk's website for office hours and any updates on how to schedule a visit.

The courthouse sits right on North Jefferson Street in the heart of downtown Perry. Call ahead if you want to confirm hours or ask about payment options before your trip.

How to Get a Marriage License in Taylor County

Both people must show up at the Taylor County clerk's office at the same time. Bring a photo ID like a driver's license, state ID, or passport. You need your Social Security number for the application, but you do not have to bring the card. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old under Florida Statute 741.04. A 17-year-old may apply with parental consent, but the other person cannot be more than two years older.

Anyone who was married before must tell the clerk how that marriage ended. Divorce, death, or annulment are the options. You also need the date it ended and the state and county where the divorce was filed. The Taylor County clerk will not process the application without those details.

Before you go, read the Family Law Handbook from the Florida Bar. The clerk will ask if you have read it. This guide covers rights and duties that come with marriage in Florida.

Taylor County Marriage License Fees

A marriage license in Taylor County costs $86. This is the same statewide fee set by Florida law. Take a four-hour premarital preparation course and the fee drops to $61. Florida Statute 741.0305 provides this $25 reduction. You must bring the original certificate from an approved course provider when you apply at the Taylor County courthouse.

Part of the fee goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Another portion funds the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. These allocations are fixed by the legislature and apply in all 67 Florida counties. Ask the Taylor County clerk about accepted payment methods when you call. Certified copies of a recorded marriage license cost about $3 each if you need extras later.

Note: Some counties charge a small processing fee for credit card payments, so ask about that before you pay.

Marriage License Waiting Period in Taylor County

Florida residents must wait three days after getting a marriage license before the ceremony can take place. This rule applies in Taylor County and all other Florida counties. The license is not valid until three full days pass from the date it was issued.

You can skip this wait by taking a four-hour premarital course from a provider the Taylor County Clerk has on file. Bring the original completion certificate when you apply. The license takes effect right away, and you save money on the fee too. Couples from out of state do not have any waiting period, regardless of whether they take the course. The course covers practical topics like communication, conflict, finances, and parenting responsibilities. Both people can take it together or on their own, as long as each gets a separate completion certificate.

After Your Taylor County Wedding Ceremony

Your marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date the Taylor County Clerk issues it. Under Florida Statute 741.041, the ceremony must happen within that window. If it does not, you need to apply again and pay a new fee.

After the wedding, the signed license goes back to the Taylor County Clerk. The person who performed the ceremony usually handles this. The clerk files the record and sends a copy to the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics. That state filing takes about 60 days. Your first certified copy is typically part of the original license fee.

Florida Statute 741.07 lists who can perform a wedding ceremony. Ordained ministers, judicial officers, notaries public, and clerks of the circuit court all qualify. You can hold the ceremony anywhere in Florida, not just in Taylor County.

Copies of Taylor County Marriage License Records

Recorded marriage licenses are kept at the Taylor County Clerk's office in Perry. You can request copies in person or by mail. The MyFloridaCounty portal lets you search for recorded documents in Taylor County and other counties online.

The Florida Department of Health holds marriage certificates from June 6, 1927 forward. You can order certified copies from the state, or use VitalChek to order online. The state search fee is $5 for one calendar year and one copy. Records from before 1927 must come from the county clerk where the license was issued.

Note: State-level processing for computer-generated certificates takes 3 to 5 business days, not counting shipping.

Cities in Taylor County

Taylor County includes the city of Perry and smaller communities like Steinhatchee and Salem. None of the cities in Taylor County have a large enough population for a dedicated city page. All Taylor County residents use the clerk's office in Perry for marriage license services. The courthouse on North Jefferson Street is the only location in the county for this purpose.

Nearby Counties

Taylor County borders several other counties. Since a Florida marriage license is valid in any county, you can apply wherever is most convenient for your schedule.