Florida Marriage License Guide

How to apply for a Florida Marriage License?

Couple’s wanting to marry in the state of Florida, must provide their Social Security numbers or any other available, for example: Driver license numbers or Passport, Military ID to the Clerk’s office to apply for a marriage license.

 

What if I have been married before?

If either applicant has been previously married, the exact date of divorce, death or annulment must be presented as well as the state and county where the divorce took place.

 

What are the procedures for underage marriages?

Applicants must be 18 years old to apply for a marriage license. Underage applicants must have parental consent from both parents unless the court has given one parent sole custody. The order would need to be presented at the time of application. Applicants under the age of 16 must have court approval.

 

Premarital Preparation Course

Any couple, if one or both parties are a (Florida residents ONLY) must take a 4-hour premarital preparation course or wait three days before the marriage license goes into effect. To receive a waiver of the new three-day waiting period, a premarital preparation course must be completed within one year prior to obtaining a marriage license and a valid certificate of completion must be presented to the Clerk's office. Taking the premarital preparation course also lowers the application fee.

 

If all of the course requirements are met on the day of application, the marriage license will be issued and will also be effective the same day. If the course requirements are not met on the date of application, the marriage license will be issued but will not be effective until three days from the issue date. The expiration date will be 60 days from the date and will appear on the license.

 

Recording of License

After the Clerk issues the marriage license, the license is valid for up to 60 days. The marriage ceremony must be held within that 60-day timeframe to be valid. After the ceremony is performed, the marriage license must be either mailed or taken to the courthouse it was obtained in person within 10 days of the ceremony. It will then be recorded and filed in the Official Records and an official copy will be either given to the couple or mailed to the new couple address on file.

 

License Fee

The fee for a marriage license is $86.00. There is an exception if both parties are Florida residents and have provided proof of attendance at a premarital class given by a certified provider. The fee is reduced to $61.00.

 

Reference: Florida Clerks of Court Offices