OBTAINING A MARRIAGE LICENSE
Head to your nearest clerk of the circuit court office, you both must apply in person. The license will cost you $93.50 or $61 if both partners are Florida residents and have completed a premarital preparation course, which will also let you skip the 3-day waiting period. You can find a premarital provider here. You will need to provide the following documents:
-
Photo identification (such as a driver’s license, state-issued ID card)
-
Both partners’ social security numbers
-
Passports or naturalization or immigration numbers (for international visitors)
-
For partners who have been previously married, you’ll also need the date of divorce, annulment, or previous spouse’s death.
-
Your payment method (can be cash, money order, cashier’s check, American Express, Visa, or MasterCard)
-
You’ll also have to provide one stamped, self-addressed business-size envelope for the return of their certified copy of the marriage certificate once it has been recorded. This will also be available for purchase at the site.
Your issued marriage license will be good for 60 days from the date of issue, so it’s imperative that your wedding day falls within this time frame. An important factor is the 3-day waiting period. Unless you choose to partake in the Premarital Course mentioned above, all couples getting married in Florida must wait a minimum of 3 days after getting their marriage license before performing a legal wedding ceremony.
The signing of the Marriage License takes place immediately following the wedding ceremony, although some officiants prefer to include the marriage license signing as a part of their ceremony. Both partners will need to sign, as well as your officiant. Witness are not required in Florida, however some couples choose to have witnesses as a symbolic gesture. Generally, the Best Man and Maid of Honor serve as witnesses, however, witnesses can be anyone you designate. Once it is signed it needs to be mailed back to the court offices within ten days. Once received, it will be certified, and an official copy will be sent back to the newly married couple.
Your marriage certificate is valid and legal within the United States! For more information on obtaining your Marriage License, or Marriage Certification Process, please visit:
https://www.stateofflorida.com/getting-married-in-florida/