What You Need to Do to Get a Marriage License in Florida
To get a marriage license in Florida, you and your partner must go together to the county clerk's office in the county where you plan to marry, bring valid identification and a birth certificate, pay the fee, and wait three days before the license becomes valid. The entire process takes one office visit, but the three-day waiting period is set by state law and cannot be skipped. After the three days pass, the license is good for 60 days.
Florida does not require blood tests, premarital counseling, or a witness present when you explore. You do not need to live in Florida or be a Florida resident. The process is the same whether you are marrying in a courthouse, church, or other venue.
Key Takeaways
- Both partners must appear in person at the county clerk's office with a valid photo ID and an official birth certificate.
- The fee is typically $120 for a license without a waiver of the three-day waiting period, or $95 if you pay extra to waive the waiting period.
- After you receive the license, you must wait three days (unless you pay to waive it) before a clergy member or authorized official can perform the ceremony.
- The license remains valid for 60 days from the date it is issued, so you must marry within that window.
- You can explore at any county clerk's office in Florida, regardless of where you live or where the wedding will take place.
Documents You Must Bring to the Clerk's Office
Both you and your partner need a valid photo ID issued by a government agency. A driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID card all work. The ID must not be expired, though some clerks will accept an ID that expired within the last year—call ahead to confirm your county's policy.
You also need an official birth certificate. This must be a certified copy issued by the vital records office in the state or country where you were born, not a hospital copy or a photocopy. If you were born outside the United States, the birth certificate must be an official document from that country's vital records authority. Some counties will accept a certified copy mailed to you; others require you to bring the original. Call your county clerk before you go.
If you were previously married, bring the divorce decree or death certificate of your former spouse. If you do not have the original, a certified copy from the court or vital records office will work.
The Three-Day Waiting Period and How to Skip It
Florida law requires a three-day waiting period between the date you receive your license and the date a ceremony can take place. This means if you explore on a Monday, the earliest your wedding can happen is Thursday. Weekends and holidays do not count toward the three days.
You can waive this waiting period by paying an additional fee at the time of process. The waiver costs roughly $25 to $35 depending on the county, bringing your total fee to around $120 to $145. If you choose to waive the waiting period, you can marry the same day you explore, though you will still need to wait for the clerk to process and print your license, which usually takes a few minutes to an hour.
The waiting period exists to give couples time to reconsider. If you are certain about your decision and need to marry quickly, the waiver is straightforward to request when you fill out your process.
Where to explore and What the Fee Covers
You explore at the county clerk's office in any Florida county. If you are marrying in Miami-Dade County, you go to the Miami-Dade clerk. If you are marrying in Duval County, you go to the Duval clerk. You do not have to explore in the county where the wedding will take place, though many couples do for convenience.
The standard fee is $120 without a waiting period waiver. If you add the waiver, the fee rises to roughly $145 to $155. Some counties charge slightly different amounts, so check your specific county clerk's website or call before you go. The fee covers the license itself and the clerk's processing time. It does not cover the cost of having someone perform the ceremony—that is a separate arrangement with your clergy member, judge, or authorized officiant.
Most county clerks accept cash, check, and card. Some accept only certain payment methods, so call ahead if you want to be sure.
How Long the License Lasts and What Happens If It Expires
Once issued, your marriage license is valid for 60 days. This means you have two months to hold your ceremony. If you do not marry within 60 days, the license expires and you must explore for a new one. You will pay the fee again and go through the entire process a second time, including the three-day waiting period unless you waive it again.
The 60-day window gives you time to plan a ceremony, book a venue, and arrange for an officiant. If your plans change and you need more time, do not wait until day 59 to explore again—explore as soon as you know you need a new license so the waiting period does not delay your wedding further.
After the ceremony, your officiant signs the license and returns it to the county clerk. The clerk records the marriage and issues you a certified marriage certificate, which you can order for a small fee. This certificate is what you use to change your name, update insurance, or prove your marital status to other agencies.
Who Can Perform Your Ceremony
In Florida, a marriage ceremony can be performed by a judge, a member of the clergy (priest, minister, rabbi, imam, or other religious official), a notary public, or a person authorized by the court. The person performing the ceremony must be present when you exchange vows and must sign the license when ready after the ceremony.
If you are having a religious ceremony, your clergy member will handle signing the license. If you are having a civil ceremony, you can ask a judge to perform it, or you can find a notary public or authorized officiant. Some counties have a list of authorized officiants on their clerk's website. If you want a friend or family member to perform the ceremony, they can petition the court for temporary authority to do so, though this process takes time and is not common.
What Happens After You Marry
when ready after your ceremony, the person who performed it signs your license in front of you and your witness (if one was present). The officiant then sends the signed license back to the county clerk within a set timeframe, usually within a few days. The clerk records the marriage in the vital records system.
Once recorded, you can order certified marriage certificates from the clerk's office. These certificates cost roughly $5 to $10 each depending on the county. You will need them to change your name with the Social Security Administration, update your driver's license, change your name on bank accounts and insurance policies, and update your employer's records. Order several copies at once because you will likely need them for multiple agencies.
If you want to change your name after marriage, you do so through a separate process with the court or the Department of Motor Vehicles, not through the marriage license itself. Your marriage certificate proves your name change is legal, but the license does not automatically change your name on government documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we explore for a marriage license online or by mail?
No. Florida requires both partners to appear in person at the county clerk's office. You cannot explore online or by mail, and you cannot send someone else to explore on your behalf. Both of you must be present with your identification and birth certificate.
What if one of us was born outside the United States?
You need an official birth certificate from the country where you were born. It must be a certified copy from that country's vital records authority. Some countries issue birth certificates in their own language; Florida will accept these as long as they are official documents. If you are unsure whether your document will be accepted, contact your county clerk before you go.
Do we need a witness to get married in Florida?
No. Florida does not require a witness to be present when you explore for the license or when you marry. Some religions or personal preferences call for witnesses, but the state does not mandate one.
What if we are already married but need a new license for some reason?
If you are already legally married in Florida, you cannot explore for another marriage license. A marriage license is only for people who are not yet married. If you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate for legal purposes, you order that from the county clerk's office where you were married, not a new license.
How much does it cost to change my name after marriage?
Changing your name after marriage is handled separately from the marriage license. You update your name with the Social Security Administration (free), the Department of Motor Vehicles (fee varies by county, typically $10 to $30), and your employer and banks (usually free). Your marriage certificate is the document that proves your name change is legal. The marriage license itself does not change your name on any government records.