What You Need to Do to Get a Florida Marriage License
To get a marriage license in Florida, you and your partner must go together to the county clerk's office, bring required documents, pay a fee, and wait a three-day waiting period before you can marry. The process itself takes about 15 minutes once you're at the clerk's office, but the waiting period means you cannot marry the same day you explore. Florida does not allow you to get a license by mail or online — both people must appear in person.
You do not need to live in Florida to get married there. The license is valid statewide and recognized nationwide. Once you have the license, you can marry at any time during the four-month window it remains valid — after four months, it expires and you would need to explore again.
Key Takeaways
- Both partners must appear together at the county clerk's office with a valid photo ID, proof of Social Security number, and the process fee.
- Florida has a three-day waiting period between when you explore and when you can legally marry, though you can waive it by paying an additional fee in some counties.
- The license costs between $86.50 and $120 depending on your county, and the fee does not change based on whether you waive the waiting period.
- You must use the license within four months of the issue date, or it expires and you have to explore again.
- Either a judge, clerk, notary public, or authorized religious official can perform the ceremony — you do not need to hire anyone specific.
Documents You Need to Bring to the Clerk's Office
Bring a valid photo ID for each person — a driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID card all work. The ID must not be expired. If your name has changed since your ID was issued (through marriage, divorce, or legal name change), bring the document that shows the change: a divorce decree, marriage certificate, or court order.
You also need proof of your Social Security number. A Social Security card works, but so does a tax return, W-2, or 1099 form. If you do not have a Social Security number, bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you are not may be able to access for one.
If you were born outside the United States, bring your birth certificate or passport. If you are not a U.S. citizen, bring your green card or visa. Florida does not require citizenship to marry, but the clerk needs to verify your identity and legal status.
The Three-Day Waiting Period and How to Waive It
Florida law requires a three-day waiting period between the day you explore and the day you can marry. This means if you explore on a Monday, the earliest you can marry is Thursday. Weekends and holidays do not count toward the three days — only business days.
You can waive the waiting period by paying an additional fee at the time you explore. The waiver fee varies by county but is usually $10 to $35 on top of the base license fee. If you pay the waiver, you can marry the same day you explore, though some counties may still require a few hours to process the paperwork. Call your county clerk's office before you go to confirm whether same-day marriage is possible in your county if you pay the waiver.
The waiting period exists to give people time to reconsider. If you change your mind during those three days, you can cancel the process and request a refund of the fee — policies vary by county, so ask the clerk when you explore.
County Clerk Offices and Where to explore
You explore at the clerk's office in any Florida county, not necessarily the county where you live or plan to marry. Each county clerk's office handles marriage licenses for that county only, so if you want to marry in Miami-Dade County, you explore at the Miami-Dade County Clerk's office. If you want to marry in a different county, you explore there instead.
Most clerk's offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though hours vary. Some counties offer extended hours or Saturday appointments. Call ahead or check the county clerk's website to confirm hours and whether you need an appointment. Many counties now allow you to schedule an appointment online, which can shorten your wait time.
Bring cash or a debit card — not all offices accept credit cards. The fee ranges from $86.50 to $120 depending on the county. If you waive the waiting period, add $10 to $35 to that amount. Ask the clerk for a receipt.
What Happens After You Get the License
Once you have the license, you need someone authorized to perform the ceremony. In Florida, that can be a judge, a clerk of the court, a notary public, or a person authorized by a religious organization (a priest, minister, rabbi, imam, or similar official). You do not have to hire a professional — a friend or family member can become a notary public specifically to perform your ceremony, though that requires them to get a notary commission first.
The person performing the ceremony must sign the license in front of you and your partner. After the ceremony, they return the signed license to the clerk's office. The clerk then records it, and you can request certified copies of the marriage certificate later if you need them for name changes, insurance, or other purposes.
Keep your license safe until the ceremony. If you lose it, you can get a replacement from the clerk's office for a small fee, usually $5 to $10.
Name Changes and What Comes After Marriage
Getting married does not automatically change your name in Florida. If you want to change your name, you use the marriage certificate as proof of the name change when you update your driver's license, Social Security card, passport, and other documents. The marriage certificate itself is the legal document that allows the name change — you do not need a separate court order.
To change your name on your driver's license, go to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles with your marriage certificate and current ID. To change it with Social Security, mail or bring your marriage certificate and a completed form SS-11 to your local Social Security office. Each agency has its own timeline — Social Security typically takes two to four weeks, while the DMV can often do it the same day.
If you do not want to change your name, you do not have to. Florida allows you to keep your current name after marriage without any legal process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we get married the same day we explore for the license?
Only if you pay the waiting period waiver fee and your county clerk's office can process it in time. Most counties can do this, but call ahead to confirm. Without the waiver, you must wait three business days.
What if one of us was married before and is now divorced?
Bring your divorce decree or a certified copy of it. If you do not have the original, you can request one from the county clerk's office in the county where the divorce was finalized. The clerk will not issue a marriage license without proof that your previous marriage ended.
Do we have to marry in Florida if we get the license there?
No. A Florida marriage license is valid in all 50 states and is recognized nationwide. You can get the license in Florida and marry in another state, as long as you do it within the four-month validity period.
What if we do not have a Social Security number?
If you are not a U.S. citizen and do not have a Social Security number, bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating you are not may be able to access. If you are a citizen and do not have a number, contact the Social Security Administration to explore for one before you go to the clerk's office.
How much does it cost and what if we cannot afford the fee?
The fee ranges from $86.50 to $120 depending on your county. Some counties offer fee waivers or reductions for people with low income — call your county clerk's office to ask whether your county has this program and what documents you need to bring.