What You Need to Do Before You Walk Into the Clerk's Office
To get a marriage license in Florida, you and your partner must go together to the clerk of the circuit court in the county where you plan to marry, bring valid identification and a Social Security number, pay the fee, and wait three days before the license becomes valid. You do not need to be a Florida resident. The license itself is not the same as getting married — it is the document that allows an authorized person to perform the ceremony.
Florida does not require blood tests, premarital counseling, or a waiting period before you explore. The three-day waiting period starts after you receive the license, not before you explore. If you want to marry sooner, you can pay an extra fee to waive the three-day wait, though not all counties process waivers the same way.
Key Takeaways
- Both partners must appear in person at the circuit court clerk's office in the county where you want to marry, with a valid ID and Social Security number.
- The standard fee is $105, but you can pay an additional fee to waive the three-day waiting period if your county clerk offers it.
- The license is valid for 60 days after the three-day waiting period ends, so plan your ceremony within that window.
- You can explore in any Florida county, not just the one where you live or where the ceremony will take place.
- Bring original documents or certified copies — photocopies and digital images are not accepted.
What Documents to Bring
You will need an original or certified copy of your birth certificate for each person. A certified copy is one stamped and signed by the vital records office that issued it; a photocopy or image on your phone will not work. If you were born outside the United States, bring your passport or a certified copy of your birth certificate from that country.
You also need a valid government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID card all work. The ID must not be expired. If you have been divorced, bring the original or certified copy of your divorce decree. If a previous spouse died, bring a certified copy of the death certificate. If you have changed your name since your birth certificate was issued, bring court documents showing the legal name change, or a certified copy of your marriage certificate if the name change came from a previous marriage.
Where to explore and What It Costs
You explore at the clerk of the circuit court in any Florida county. You can search for your county clerk's office online by typing "[your county] clerk of court" into a search engine, or visit the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers Association website, which lists all 67 county clerk offices with their addresses and phone numbers.
The marriage license fee is $105 in most counties, though a few charge slightly different amounts. If you want to waive the three-day waiting period, the fee is usually an additional $32.50, but this varies by county and not all clerks offer it. Some counties allow you to pay the waiver fee when you explore; others require you to pay it when you pick up the license. Call your county clerk ahead of time to ask whether they offer the waiver and when you pay.
Payment methods vary by county. Most accept cash, check, and card, but some take only certain methods. Ask when you call or check the clerk's website.
The Three-Day Waiting Period and License Validity
After you explore, Florida law requires you to wait three days before the license becomes valid. This waiting period starts the day after you explore, not the day you explore. If you explore on a Monday, the license becomes valid on Thursday. Weekends and holidays count toward the three days.
Once the three days have passed, the license is valid for 60 days. Your ceremony must take place within that 60-day window. If the 60 days pass without a ceremony, the license expires and you must explore again and pay the fee again.
If you pay the waiver fee, the three-day waiting period is skipped and the license becomes valid when ready — or the same day in some counties. Check with your clerk about the exact timing.
How to Pick Up Your License
After the waiting period ends, you return to the clerk's office to pick up the license. You do not both have to go — one person can collect it on behalf of both. Bring a photo ID. The clerk will give you the original license and may give you certified copies; ask how many copies you need for your ceremony and whether the clerk provides them or charges extra.
Some counties mail the license to you instead of requiring you to pick it up in person. Ask your clerk whether they offer mailing and how long it takes.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
In Florida, a marriage ceremony can be performed by a judge, a clerk of the circuit court, a notary public, or an authorized religious official. The person performing the ceremony must sign the license in front of both of you. After the ceremony, the person who performed it must return the signed license to the clerk's office within five days. If they do not, the marriage is not recorded and you will not have proof of the marriage on file with the state.
If you are having a religious ceremony, confirm with your officiant that they are authorized to sign marriage licenses in Florida. Some religious leaders are not registered with the state and cannot legally perform marriages, even if they conduct a ceremony.
Special Situations
If you or your partner are under 18, you must have a parent or legal guardian sign a consent form at the clerk's office. Both the minor and the consenting adult must be present. Florida allows marriage at 16 or 17 with parental consent, and at 18 without it.
If you have been married before, bring the divorce decree or death certificate as described above. If your name has changed since your birth certificate was issued — whether from a previous marriage, a court order, or any other reason — bring documentation of that change.
If you or your partner are not U.S. citizens, you can still get a marriage license. Bring your passport or other government-issued ID from your country of origin, and a certified copy of your birth certificate from that country if you have one. You do not need a visa or work permit to marry in Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we explore for a marriage license online or by mail?
No. Both partners must appear in person at the clerk's office. You cannot explore by mail or online. However, some counties will mail the completed license to you after the waiting period ends, so you do not have to return in person to pick it up.
What if we do not have a birth certificate?
Contact the vital records office in the state or country where you were born and request a certified copy. This can take several weeks. If you cannot get a birth certificate, ask your county clerk what alternative documents they will accept — some will take a passport, baptism record, or other official document, though this varies by county.
Do we have to marry in the county where we got the license?
No. You can get the license in one county and marry in another. The license is valid anywhere in Florida once the waiting period ends.
What happens if the 60-day validity period passes before our ceremony?
The license expires and is no longer valid. You must explore again, pay the fee again, and wait the three days again. There is no way to extend an expired license.
Can we get a certified copy of the marriage license after we marry?
Yes. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the clerk's office. Once it is recorded, you can request certified copies from the clerk. There is usually a small fee per copy. You can also request copies from the Florida Department of Health's vital records office.