How to Get Married in Florida

Applying for your marriage license

In Florida, your marriage license is issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The two of you apply together, in person, at the Clerk’s office. There is no blood test required in Florida, which surprises a lot of couples in a nice way.

Each of you should bring a valid government photo ID, such as a driver license, passport, or state identification card, and your Social Security number if you have one. One lovely detail: a Florida marriage license can be used to marry anywhere in the state, no matter which county issued it, so you are free to pick the county that is most convenient.

The fee and the premarital course

The marriage license fee in Florida is about $86. If the two of you complete a registered premarital preparation course and bring proof when you apply, the fee is reduced to about $61. Because fees can change, please confirm the current amount with your county Clerk of Court.

The course is a small, worthwhile step, and it does something even more helpful than lowering the fee.

The resident waiting period, and how the course waives it

For Florida residents, there is a three-day waiting period between applying for the license and when it takes effect. Completing that premarital preparation course waives the three-day wait entirely, so the same course that lowers your fee also lets you marry right away.

Couples visiting from out of state are not subject to the waiting period at all. If you are a Florida resident who has not taken the course, your Clerk can tell you how the timing applies to your situation.

How long your license is good for

Once issued, your Florida marriage license is valid for 60 days. Your ceremony simply needs to take place within that window. For most couples this is plenty of time. My gentle advice is not to pick up your license too far ahead. Applying within a few weeks of the wedding keeps everything comfortably inside the 60 days.

During and after the ceremony

On your wedding day, I bring everything together. As your licensed officiant, I perform the ceremony, and afterward I complete and sign the certificate on your license. That signature is the official record that you were married.

From there, the filing is my responsibility, not yours. I return the completed license to the Clerk of Court that issued it, and once it is recorded, the Clerk sends a certified copy to you. You get to relax and enjoy being newlyweds while I take care of the paperwork.