To apply for a Marriage License, the prospective bride and groom must apply in person and show proper identification.  Florida law prohibits the Clerk’s office from issuing a marriage license unless one applicant is male and the other is female.  If either party has been married previously, you must provide the manner in which the marriage ended and the date it ended. You may apply at any one of our three branch offices between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

As of January 1, 1999, the applicants must provide their social security number pursuant to the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.  The social security number is for use by vital statistics only and will not be a matter of public record.  Both applicants must read the Family Law Handbook, which is provided to them at the Clerk’s office.  Applicants should allow enough time to read the handbook prior to applying for the marriage license.

Florida residents who do not elect to take an approved premarital preparation course must pay the full fee of $93.50 and will have a three-day waiting period. Florida residents who choose to take a pre-marital preparation course and present a completion certificate issued to them by a course provider when they come in to apply for the license, will have the three day waiting period waived, and the marriage license fee reduced to $61.00.   The course must have been taken no more than one year prior to the date of application. The waiting period does not apply to non-Florida residents and the fee is $93.50.  The completion certificate must contain the names of the participants, the date of completion and the manner in which the course was completed.  The couple must choose from a list of qualified instructors which include a licensed psychologist, a clinical social worker, a marriage and family therapist, a mental health counselor, an official representative of a religious institution (if the representative has relevant training), or any other provider designated by a judicial circuit.  A list of instructors who have registered with the Clerk’s office is available at any of our three locations.  The cost of the course, if any, is to be paid by the applicants.  All area course providers must register with the Clerk of the Circuit Court by filing an affidavit attesting to the provider’s compliance with the requirements as set forth in Florida statutes, chapter 741.0305 (5).  The affidavit must include the name of the instructor, the address where they may be contacted, and their qualifications, including the license number, if any.  If the instructor is a representative of religious institution, a statement regarding relevant training must be provided.  Anyone wishing to obtain additional information regarding what the requirements are for premarital course providers may contact the Marriage License Division of the Clerk’s office.

If either applicant is under the age of 18 but at least 16, the Clerk’s office is authorized to issue a marriage license if the applicants provide written consent of their parents or guardian. The consent form must be signed by the parents or guardian in the presence of a deputy clerk or a notary public.  The Clerk’s office has the consent forms and will provide them to you at no charge.  For applications involving minors, please contact the marriage license division for detailed instructions. 

A marriage license is valid for a period of 60 days after issuance.  The person performing the ceremony within the state of Florida should complete the certificate of marriage and return the marriage license to the Clerk of the Circuit Court within 10 days after the marriage is solemnized.

Marriage ceremonies may be performed by members of the clergy, notaries public of the State of Florida, members of the judiciary or the Clerk of the Circuit Court.  At the applicant’s request, a marriage ceremony may be performed in the marriage license office by a deputy clerk for a fee of $30.00.

The original license will be sent to Vital Statistics in Jacksonville and a certified copy of the marriage license will be mailed to the applicant upon receipt in our office. Additional certified copies may be purchased at a cost of $3.00 each.

This information is provided by the Clerk of the Circuit Court as a public service.  Questions regarding Marriage Licenses should be directed to the Clerk of the Circuit Court (941) 637-2240 between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 p.m.