Florida Marriage Licenses -
Frequently Asked Questions
Who may apply for a marriage license?
What do I need to apply for a marriage license?
How much is the fee for the marriage license?
Do you accept credit cards for payment?
Is there a waiting period after issuance of the license?
How is the waiting period counted?
Where can I take the premarital preparation course?
Can persons obtain licenses to marry partners of their
own gender?
Are blood tests required?
Must I apply for a marriage license in the county where
I live?
Do one or both of the marriage license applicants have
to be American citizens?
How long is a marriage license valid once it is issued?
Who may perform a marriage license ceremony?
Can I be married at the Clerk's Office?
Do I need to bring witnesses for a ceremony?
How do we go about renewing our vows?
Do we need to obtain a license to renew our vows?
Where can I write for a certified copy of my marriage
license?
How can I correct an error on my license?
Applicants 18 years of age or older:
-
Each party must show a valid
driver's license or state ID, a passport, military identification
or other acceptable photo ID.
-
Both parties must provide their
Social Security numbers if U.S. citizens.
-
If either party has been previously
married, the party must provide the day, month and year his
or her last marriage ended. .
Applicants
under the age of 18:
If either the
bride or groom is under the age of 18, the Clerk's Office is
authorized to issue a marriage license if one of the following
conditions is met:
-
The
prospective bride or groom under the age of 18 has a written
consent from his or her parents or guardian;
-
If
the minor applicant has been married previously, the Clerk's
office will issue a marriage license provided the applicants
furnish documentation evidencing the prior marriage.
-
A County
Judge is authorized to issue a marriage license to any applicant
under the age of 18, if one of the following conditions are
met:
-
Both
applicants swear under oath that they are the parents
of a child;
-
The
female applicant is pregnant and this fact is verified
by a licensed physician’s written statement and
both parties swear under oath that they are the expectant
parents of a child.
-
The
Clerks Office will schedule a hearing, if necessary, with
a County Court Judge who will then decide to issue or
deny the license based upon the circumstances of the application
and the accompanying documentation. A fee of $93.50 is
required. If the judge denies the request, $93.50 is refundable.
-
How
much is the fee for the marriage license?
The standard fee is $93.50; however,
applicants who file certification that both parties have completed
a premarital preparation course with a registered provider, are
entitled to a $32.50 discount, making their fee $61.00.
-
Do
you accept credit cards for payment?
No, we accept cash, checks or money orders only.
-
Is
there a waiting period after issuance of the license?
There is no waiting period for Florida residents who file
certification that they both have completed a premarital preparation
course from a registered provider within the past 12 months. For
Florida residents who have not taken the course, there is a three
day waiting period between issuance of the license and the time
it becomes valid for use. For non-Florida residents, the waiting
period is waived.
-
How
is the waiting period counted?
The date the license is issued does count as the first
day. You will need to wait two additional full days. You may then
be married on the following day. For example, if you obtain your
marriage license on Friday, you can marry on Monday.
-
Where
can I take the premarital preparation course?
Many local churches and counseling services offer the
course. Check with the marriage license office in your county
to see who offers the course in your area.
-
Can
persons obtain licenses to marry partners of their own gender?
No, Florida law specifies that one applicant must be male
and the other female.
-
Are
blood tests required?
No, the law requiring a blood test was abolished October
1, 1986.
-
Must
I apply for a marriage license in the county where I live?
No, a marriage license may be applied for and used in
any Florida county.
-
Do
one or both of the marriage license applicants have to be American
citizens?
No, there is no citizenship requirement.
-
How
long is a marriage license valid once it is issued?
The license is valid for 60 days after issuance. The effective
date and expiration date are noted on the license. The ceremony
can be performed anywhere in the State of Florida. The marriage
license form must be returned to the Clerk’s Office where
it was obtained for recording within 10 days after the marriage
is performed.
-
Who
may perform a marriage license ceremony?
The following may perform marriage ceremonies:
-
A regularly ordained
minister or other ordained clergy;
-
Elders in communion
with some church;
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All judicial officers
(judges)
-
Clerks of Circuit
Court and their deputies
-
Notaries public
of the State of Florida
In addition, the law
provides that marriages may be performed among “Quakers”
or “Friends,” in the manner and form used or practiced
in their societies.
-
Can
I be married at the Clerk's Office?
Yes, deputy clerks can perform a civil marriage ceremony.
There is a charge of $30.00 for that service.
-
Do
I need to bring witnesses for a ceremony?
No, witnesses are not required in the State of Florida.
-
How
do we go about renewing our vows?
Talk to your clergyman, chaplain, other religious adviser
or personal counselor.
-
Do
we need to obtain a license to renew our vows?
No.
-
Where
can I write for a certified copy of my marriage license?
One certified copy is provided as part of the marriage
license fee. Extra certified copies are $2.50. To obtain additional
certified copies of a marriage license issued in Volusia County,
write to:
Diane Matousek, Clerk
of the Circuit Court
ATTN: Marriage License Records
P. O. Box 6043
DeLand, FL 32721-6043
If your license was
issued in any other Florida county, contact the clerk’s
office in the county where it was issued, or write to:
Florida Department of Health
Division of Vital Statistics
P. O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
Phone (904) 359-6900
-
How
can I correct an error on my license?
When your marriage license
is issued you are asked to look it over and verify that all the information
is correct. Later, if a change needs to be made, and the license has
been sent to the Bureau of Vital Statistics, an Amended Marriage
License is issued at no charge.
We also accept
checks, virtual checks, money orders & cash.
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Florida Marriage Licenses
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