How to Get a Florida Marriage License: Requirements & Steps
- Dr. Liliana Wolf
- 2 hours ago
- 7 min read
Life feels blissful after getting engaged. You hear wedding bells everywhere, and each day feels like walking under rose-colored skies. Still, before you say “I do” in the dazzling, palm-studded State of Florida, there are a few important steps to take, starting with applying for a marriage license.
A marriage license is a legal document confirming that you and your partner meet Florida’s requirements to marry. It also gives you official authorization to proceed with the ceremony: without it, your wedding can’t take place.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to get a marriage license in Florida, including eligibility requirements, costs, waiting periods, and one simple tip that can help reduce both the fee and the waiting time.
The walk down the aisle awaits. Ready to take the first step?
Florida Marriage License Requirements
While almost any couple can apply for a marriage license in Florida, approval depends on meeting specific legal requirements. These are designed to ensure the marriage is valid and that both parties understand the legal responsibilities involved, and can be classified into three categories:
Age & Consent
To obtain a marriage license in Florida, you must be at least 18 years old. The state law allows marriage for 17-year-olds only if all of the following conditions are met:
The minor is 17 years old
The age gap between the couple is no more than 2 years
Parental or legal guardian consent is provided
In these cases, the following documentation is typically required:
A completed and signed parental consent form
The minor’s birth certificate, listing the parents’ names
Depending on the county, both parents or legal guardians will have to appear in person with a valid photo ID. Other counties accept properly completed documentation.
If a parent is deceased, the surviving parent must provide a death certificate. Likewise, if one parent has full custody, they must submit proof of the court order.
Identification & Documents
When you apply for a marriage license, you must present a valid, government-issued photo ID to the Clerk of Courts. The ID must show your legal name, date of birth, and signature. Acceptable identifications include:
Driver's license
Passport
Military I.D. card
Alien registration card
Applicants must also sign a statement acknowledging that they have read the Florida Family Law Handbook, as required by law. This document explains the legal aspects of marriage in Florida and is available online or at the clerk’s office.
Last but not least, if you have been previously married, you must provide the date of the last divorce, annulment, or death of a former spouse.
If your divorce was finalized in Florida and you don’t remember the exact date, you can retrieve it through an online family court records search, as divorce decrees are public records.
Social Security Number / Alien Registration
To apply for a marriage license in Florida, you must provide your Social Security number (SSN) if one has been issued. You are not required to present the physical Social Security card.
As Florida does not require residency or U.S. citizenship to issue a marriage license, out-of-state couples and foreign nationals can also apply. Applicants without an SSN must provide an alien registration number or passport number instead. In some cases, a U.S. state–issued driver’s license number may also be accepted.
How to Apply for a Marriage License
Once you’ve gathered all the required documents, you’re ready to begin the application process. While procedures may vary by county, applying for a marriage license in Florida generally involves the following steps:
Make an appointment with the county Clerk of Courts
Complete the application form
Visit the Clerk of Courts' office
Submit your application and the required documentation
Pay the marriage license fee
That said, this process isn’t identical statewide. Some counties offer additional options or streamlined procedures, as we’ll discuss in more detail in the following sections.
Appointments vs. Walk-ins
Have a busy schedule or hoping to complete the process during the day? The good news is that many Florida counties accept walk-in marriage license applications.
However, be aware that wait times can be long, especially in high-volume counties. To save time, it’s often best to complete the application in advance if your county offers that option.
Scheduling an appointment with the Clerk of Courts can reduce wait times more significantly. Some counties, such as Hillsborough County, go a step further and allow couples to apply through scheduled online appointments, including Zoom meetings.
Online Pre-application (if available)
Although not every county issues marriage licenses entirely online, most Clerk of Courts offices offer an online pre-application. Check your county clerk’s website to see if this option is available.
If an online pre-application is not offered, many counties provide a downloadable PDF application that you can print and complete at home to speed up the in-person visit.
In-person Application
In most Florida counties, both applicants are required to appear in person to apply for a marriage license, particularly if they are non-residents. Counties that issue licenses through virtual appointments are still the exception rather than the rule.
Marriage License Fees and Payment
In Florida, the cost of a marriage license is up to $93.50, depending on the county. However, the state offers a $32.50 reduction for couples who complete a state-approved 4-hour premarital course no more than one year before applying for the marriage license.
To receive the discount, you must present the official Certificate of Completion to the county clerk at the time of application. It’s important to note that not all courses qualify: the course must be provided by a state-approved instructor, such as Dr. Liliana Wolf’s Florida premarital course.
Completing an approved course not only lowers the cost of your marriage license, but, for Florida residents, it also allows you to waive the waiting period between license issuance and the wedding ceremony.
As if this weren’t enough, premarital education often helps couples build stronger communication and conflict-resolution skills as they prepare for marriage. It has even been proven that it can increase marital satisfaction up to 30%.
Validity and Waiting Period
Once issued, a Florida marriage license is valid for 60 days. The wedding ceremony must take place within that time frame. If the license expires before the marriage occurs, the couple must apply for (and pay for) a new one.
Keep in mind that, like some other states, Florida imposes a 72-hour (3-day) waiting period between the issuance of a marriage license and the wedding ceremony.
This rule applies only to Florida residents. Out-of-state couples or foreign nationals may marry immediately after the license is issued.
The purpose of the waiting period is to give couples time to reflect on the commitment they are about to make and to discourage rushed decisions.
Since premarital education serves a similar goal, several states allow resident couples who complete a qualifying course to waive the waiting period entirely.
Your Marriage License, on Your Wedding Day
Time flies when you’re in love… Unless you’re waiting for your marriage license waiting period to end. Fortunately, there’s a way to skip it.
Completing an approved premarital course in Florida allows residents to get married the same day their license is issued. The course sums up the benefits of the 72-hour period into a focused 4-hour class and also saves you $32.50 on the marriage license fee. A true win-win.
Dr. Liliana Wolf’s premarital course adds convenience to the process. Her 100% online, self-paced program is designed to help couples explore intimacy, strengthen emotional connection, and lay the foundation for a lasting marriage. Other advantages include:
Approved in all 67 Florida counties
Interactive, video-based learning
Available in English and Spanish
Developed by a five-star relationship professional
LGBTQ-friendly and faith-based course options
Backed by real people, with real results.
Once you complete this course, a Certificate of Completion with a serial number will be immediately available. All you need to do is download and print it, then bring it to the county clerk’s office when applying for your marriage license.
Next stop? Your wedding venue.
After You Get the License: Ceremony & Filing
Once the marriage ceremony has ended, the wedding officiant is required to sign and return the completed marriage license to the Clerk of Courts within 10 days. Once the clerk’s office receives and records the license, the court officially registers the marriage.
A certified copy of your marriage certificate is then issued and mailed to you within 7 to 14 days after the signed license is processed. To speed things up, some counties also offer in-person pickup or expedited processing options.
FAQs
How to get a marriage license?
To get a marriage license in Florida, you can follow these general steps:
Schedule an appointment with a county Clerk of Courts
Complete the application form, often available online
Gather the required documentation
Visit the clerk’s office (or attend a virtual appointment)
Submit your documents and pay the license fee
Can I apply for a marriage license online in Florida?
Yes. Some Florida counties, such as Hillsborough County, allow couples to apply through a scheduled Zoom appointment. If approved, the marriage license is typically issued electronically.
How long is the waiting period for a marriage license in Florida?
Resident couples must wait 72-hours (3-days) after the license is issued before getting married, unless they complete a Florida state-approved premarital course, which waives the waiting period.
Can I get my marriage license and get married the same day in Florida?
Yes. Florida residents may get married the same day their license is issued if they complete a certified premarital course (such as Dr. Liliana Wolf’s) . Non-residents may also marry the same day, as the waiting period doesn’t apply to them.
What is the difference between a Marriage License and a Marriage Certificate?
A marriage license gives you the legal permission to marry, while the marriage certificate is the official document that proves the marriage took place and has been legally recorded.
Love Under the Palms 💕🌴
Life has felt blissful since you got engaged, and it’s about to get even better.
Celebrate your love with Dr. Liliana Wolf’s Florida premarital course. Spend four meaningful hours connecting with your partner, strengthening your bond, and preparing for a lifetime together.
Step into your married life with the right foot.
Dr. Liliana Wolf, psychotherapist, former professor of psychology and international relationship expert, has been preparing couples for marriage at her Coral Gables office for over 20 years. Favored by couples about to be married, her courses have achieved a consistent 5-star rating, positioning her in the top 1% in sales of online courses by the Teachable platform worldwide. Ranked at the top 1% in the specialty of marriage and family nationwide by HealthGrades, Dr. Wolf is at the top of her game both as a clinician and professor.
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