Florida Marriage License Requirements 2026
Everything you need to legally marry in Florida: $86 (reduced to $61 with a state-approved premarital preparation course of at least 4 hours) license fee, 3 days for Florida residents, none for non-residents waiting period, 60 days validity, minimum age 18, None witnesses required. Apply at the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Florida Marriage License: Quick Facts
How Much Is a Marriage License in Florida?
A marriage license in Florida costs $86 (reduced to $61 with a state-approved premarital preparation course of at least 4 hours). This is the standard fee charged by the Clerk of the Circuit Court when you submit your application in person. The fee covers the license itself, recording, and one certified copy of the marriage certificate in most counties.
Payment is typically accepted in cash, card, or check, though policies vary by county. Some counties charge extra for additional certified copies, which you may need for name changes, passport applications, or insurance updates after the wedding. Call your county clerk in advance to confirm accepted payment methods and total cost with additional copies.
Compared to the national average of $60-$80, Florida's fee is in line with the national average.
How to Get a Marriage License in Florida
Gather required documents
Both partners need a valid government-issued photo ID. If you have been previously married, bring the final divorce decree or your former spouse's death certificate. Florida does not require proof of residency.
Visit the Clerk of the Circuit Court
Both applicants must appear in person at the Clerk of the Circuit Court in any Florida county. You can typically apply in the county where you plan to marry or the county where you live - check your specific county for any local rules.
Complete the application and pay the fee
Fill out the marriage license application and pay the $86 (reduced to $61 with a state-approved premarital preparation course of at least 4 hours) fee. Be ready to provide both Social Security numbers (or visa numbers for non-citizens), your parents' full names, and your places of birth.
Wait 3 days for Florida residents, none for non-residents
Florida has a mandatory 3 days for Florida residents, none for non-residents waiting period between application and ceremony. Plan your application visit at least a week before your ceremony to allow buffer time.
Hold the ceremony within the validity window
The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. The ceremony must be officiated and the license signed within this window. Authorized officiants in Florida: Ordained ministers, elders, and other clergy in communion with a church. Judicial officers, including retired judges, and clerks of the circuit court. Notaries public with active commissions can also officiate weddings in Florida.
Return the signed license for recording
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license along with any required witnesses. The signed license must be returned to the Clerk of the Circuit Court (often by the officiant) within the timeframe specified by Florida law. The county then issues your official marriage certificate.
Special Situations in Florida
Previously married
Bring the final divorce decree or death certificate of your former spouse. Some Florida counties require the decree be from within a certain number of months - check with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Out-of-state couples
Florida has no residency requirement, making it a popular state for destination weddings. Both partners just need to appear in person at the Clerk of the Circuit Court with valid ID.
Same-sex marriages
Same-sex marriages are fully legal in Florida following Obergefell v. Hodges (2015). The requirements are identical to opposite-sex marriages with no additional steps.
Non-citizens
Foreign nationals can marry in Florida on a tourist visa with a valid passport. The marriage itself does not change immigration status. You may need certified translations of any foreign documents.
Important Florida Notes
Who Can Officiate in Florida
Ordained ministers, elders, and other clergy in communion with a church. Judicial officers, including retired judges, and clerks of the circuit court. Notaries public with active commissions can also officiate weddings in Florida.
Good to Know
Florida charges a standard $86 marriage license fee, reduced to $61 for couples who complete a state-approved premarital preparation course of at least 4 hours before applying (confirmed via Miami-Dade and Broward County Clerk fee schedules); completing the course also waives the 3-day waiting period that otherwise applies only to Florida residents (Fla. Stat. § 741.04). Non-residents face no waiting period regardless of course completion. A 17-year-old may marry only with notarized written consent of a parent or legal guardian, and only if the older party is no more than 2 years older than the younger party (Fla. Stat. § 741.04); no one younger than 17 may be issued a license under any circumstance. Marriage licenses are valid for 60 days from issuance and cannot be used for a ceremony after that date (Fla. Stat. § 741.041). Florida notably authorizes notaries public, in addition to ordained clergy and judicial officers including clerks of the circuit court, to solemnize marriages (Fla. Stat. § 741.07). Common-law marriages formed in Florida on or after January 1, 1968 are not recognized, though Florida honors common-law marriages validly created in states that permit them (Fla. Stat. § 741.211).
Florida Marriage License Document Checklist
- Valid government-issued photo ID for both applicants (passport, Florida drivers license, state ID, military ID)
- Birth certificates if requested by the Clerk of the Circuit Court
- Social Security numbers for both partners (visa numbers acceptable for non-citizens)
- Divorce decree or death certificate if either partner was previously married
- Marriage license fee of $86 (reduced to $61 with a state-approved premarital preparation course of at least 4 hours) - confirm accepted payment methods with your county
- Out-of-state couples are welcome - no residency required
- No witnesses legally required (though many couples bring them anyway)
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Marriage License Requirements in Other States
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Florida Marriage License FAQ
Everything you need to know about our free tools and how they help your wedding day.
A Florida marriage license costs $86 (reduced to $61 with a state-approved premarital preparation course of at least 4 hours). The fee is paid at the Clerk of the Circuit Court when you apply. Some counties may charge slightly more for processing or a certified copy of the marriage certificate. Payment methods vary by county - call ahead to confirm whether the office accepts cash, card, or check only.
Yes. Florida requires a 3 days for Florida residents, none for non-residents waiting period between applying for and using your marriage license. Florida charges a standard $86 marriage license fee, reduced to $61 for couples who complete a state-approved premarital preparation course of at least 4 hours before applying (confirmed via Miami-Dade and Broward County Clerk fee schedules); completing the course also waives the 3-day waiting period that otherwise applies only to Florida residents (Fla. Stat. § 741.04). Non-residents face no waiting period regardless of course completion. A 17-year-old may marry only with notarized written consent of a parent or legal guardian, and only if the older party is no more than 2 years older than the younger party (Fla. Stat. § 741.04); no one younger than 17 may be issued a license under any circumstance. Marriage licenses are valid for 60 days from issuance and cannot be used for a ceremony after that date (Fla. Stat. § 741.041). Florida notably authorizes notaries public, in addition to ordained clergy and judicial officers including clerks of the circuit court, to solemnize marriages (Fla. Stat. § 741.07). Common-law marriages formed in Florida on or after January 1, 1968 are not recognized, though Florida honors common-law marriages validly created in states that permit them (Fla. Stat. § 741.211).
A Florida marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. The ceremony must be performed within this window or you will need to reapply and pay the fee again. Keep the dates in mind when scheduling your application visit.
Florida accepts valid government-issued photo ID for both applicants. Acceptable forms include a US passport, state driver's license or state ID card, US military ID, permanent resident card, or foreign passport. Both partners must present ID in person at the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
No. Florida does not legally require witnesses for the marriage ceremony, though many couples choose to have them anyway. If you do invite witnesses, anyone over 18 capable of signing is typically acceptable.
No. Florida does not require residency to obtain a marriage license. Out-of-state couples can apply at any Clerk of the Circuit Court as long as both partners are present and bring the required ID. This makes Florida a popular destination wedding state.
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