You're engaged, congratulations! You can hear wedding bells ringing as you plan to get married in the beautiful, palm-studded State of Florida. Exciting!
As you get ready to join your lives together, you'll have to do a few things to make your union official. But whether you envision small and intimate or epic and sumptuous, one thing is for sure:
You will need a Florida marriage license to get married.
Well, you have come to the right place.
The Ultimate Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Marriage License in Florida and More.
If you are wondering how to get a marriage license in Florida, save this guide. It offers up-to-date answers to all the questions you can have. It answers questions like:
How long does it take to get a marriage license in Florida?
and
Can you get a Florida marriage license online?
This guide is all you need!
Not only will you learn how much it costs to get a marriage license in Florida, but you will also learn about a significant discount that Florida has been offering its residents since 1998. A deal that incentivizes couples to invest in strengthening their marriages before the big wedding day.
Did that stir your curiosity?
Let's get started, then.
What is a Florida marriage license, and why do you need it?
A Florida marriage license is a legal document issued by a County Court to a couple before marriage, authorizing them to get married. The process is very straightforward.
Fill out a Marriage License Application Form with the required information.
Present it to the County Court for its approval and issuance.
Obtaining a marriage license is the first step needed to legalize a union. It states that you and your partner are legally allowed to marry. Once granted, you have sixty (60) days to get married. Securing your marriage license before celebrating your wedding is mandatory in The State of Florida.
Florida Marriage License Requirements
You must be at least 18 years old to marry without parental consent.
Most counties in Florida require that couples make an appointment to apply for a Florida marriage license.
Verify if your county requires you to make an appointment.
Go over The Florida Family Law Handbook, as you must state that you have completed this task in your marriage license application.
You will be pleased to learn that many counties allow you to complete a Florida marriage license application online. In fact, many Florida counties require that you fill out their online application form available on their respective official county websites. Others have a Florida marriage license application PDF that, once filled, you can download, print, and bring with you to the county court when showing up for your in-person appointment. We suggest that you contact your county from our list of Florida counties below to check if your county requires that a Florida marriage license application be submitted ahead of time.
On the day of your appointment, you both must present yourselves before the Clerk of Courts, ready to show your respective valid federal or state-issued photo I.D. with the correct legal name, date of birth, and signature.
Any of the following forms of identification will do:
Driver's license,
Passport,
Military I.D. card, or
Alien registration card.
You must also be ready to provide your respective social security numbers, though there is no need to show your cards. If you don't have a social security number, indicate that on the application.
Please keep in mind that highly populated counties may have more than one location where you can apply. For instance, if you plan to apply for a marriage license in Miami-Dade County, you may go to any of the six full-service District Court locations besides the Central Marriage License Bureau in Downtown Miami.
SPECIAL CASES
If Previously Married:
You must provide the date of the last divorce, death, or annulment.
If your divorce occurred in The State of Florida, and you don't have the required information, check with the Florida county where your divorce took place and do a Family Online Case search. Since divorce decrees are public records, you can view the docket link and retrieve the date of your final divorce judgment.
Minors:
Those under 18 years of age may be able to apply for a Florida marriage license, provided:
They are at least 17 years of age. Florida Statutes prohibit that a marriage license be issued to anyone under 17 years of age.
The older party to the marriage is not more than two years older than the younger party.
Both parents or legal guardians must be present with their respective valid photo ID.*
A parental consent form is filled out and signed in addition to the standard requirements.
The minor party's birth certificate, showing the parent's name, must also be provided.
*The surviving parent must produce a death certificate if a parent is deceased.
*If parents are divorced, and one parent has full custody of the minor, the custodial parent must submit proof of custody's court order.
Non-Florida Residents:
How to get a marriage license in Florida for non-residents?
Given that there is no residency or citizenship requirement, a Florida marriage license can be issued to out-state couples and foreigners.
Non-Florida residents must also show up in person when applying for a marriage license in Florida and must submit any of the following government-issued picture I.D.s:
State-issued Driver's license
Military ID
Foreigners must show either a valid
Passport
Alien Registration Card, or
U.S. Visa
Once you have obtained a valid marriage license, you have 60 days to get married. Afterward, you or the officiant who celebrated your wedding sends the filled-out and signed license back to the Clerk's Office.
The Cost of a Florida Marriage License
How much is a marriage license in Florida?
The Florida marriage license fee is $86.00. Valid forms of payment include credit cards and cash.
You will be happy to know that the State of Florida offers a $25.00 discount to couples who complete a 4-hour premarital course from a Florida premarital course provider. However, keep in mind that only some providers are approved as Florida premarital course providers statewide.
To be eligible for the $25 discount, you only need to present an Official Certificate of Completion. As you see, savvy Florida couples can get a marriage license for only $61.
The Timeframe for Getting a Florida Marriage License
As you plan your wedding, remember that some states have imposed a mandatory wait time for couples applying for a marriage license. The State of Florida is one of them.
So, how long does it take to get a marriage license in Florida?
The answer is three days.
Florida law prevents Florida residents from getting married within the first 72 hours after obtaining a Florida marriage license. This mandate does not apply to out-of-state couples or foreigners.
How to legally skip the 3-day mandatory waiting period
Florida couples can waive this mandatory waiting period by taking an approved Florida Premarital Course.
Completing a Florida Premarital Course Online provides the tools and skills to start a marriage on the right foot and saves you time and money.
If you take an official Florida Premarital course, you will get a nice discount on your Florida marriage license fee and the right to get married on the same day you apply for your license.
Curious? Read on.
How to Get an Official Certificate of Completion in Florida
Florida is one of only ten states in the USA that has state-run programs providing incentives to couples who complete an approved premarital education course. The main reason for such programs is that it's a win-win situation for all involved. Studies show that 80% of couples participating in premarital education remain together.
Further, couples preparing for marriage report a 30% increase in marital satisfaction compared to those who don't take a premarital preparation course.
Given the above, the State of Florida is committed to facilitating its residents' premarital education. Florida counts on the fact that a healthy marital relationship provides a solid framework for stronger families and communities.
Keep in mind that only fully vetted providers can offer premarital preparation courses in Florida. Check out Florida Premarital Course, the only all-video interactive official premarital education 100% online course if you want to take advantage of this incentive.
Florida Premarital Preparation Course is:
Approved in all 67 Florida counties, with no exceptions
Self-paced
It is 100% video interactive
100% online
Informative and fun
At $14.97 per couple, it is the most affordable premarital education program available in the state.
Once couples complete this approved online premarital course, a Certificate of Completion with a serial number becomes immediately available. All couples need to do is download and print it. This feature guarantees that couples get their certificates in the timeliest manner possible.
In addition, couples that show this Certificate of Completion to the County Clerk in any of the 67 Florida counties automatically receive a $25.00 discount on their marriage license and waive the mandatory 3-day wait. GUARANTEED.
Florida Premarital Course Online is the brainchild of Dr. Liliana Wolf, a five-star marriage and family clinician recognized by HealthGrades as being in the top in her specialty nationally. Over sixty thousand Floridians have prepared for marriage with Dr. Wolf’s online premarital course giving it a consistent 5-star rating.
What is the difference between a Marriage License and a Marriage Certificate?
A marriage license allows you to marry legally, while the marriage certificate proves you are married.
How do I get my Certificate of Marriage?
Upon completion of your marriage ceremony, the officiant who marries you must sign and return the completed marriage license to the Court that issued the license. After recording your marriage, the Court will send you a certified copy of your marriage certificate.