Applying for Your Marriage License
Your marriage license is an legal contract between two people
How to apply for your marriage license:
- Look in your area to find the closest marriage licenses office.Here’s a link for Florida residents to all Clerk’s by County to obtain your marriage license –http://www.stateofflorida.com/clerks-of-court.aspx.
- Call and ask when you should apply as there may be a waiting period.Here are all the office in Florida –http://www.stateofflorida.com/clerks-of-court.aspx.
- Both bride and groom must be present for the application.
- Don’t forget, bring official birth certificates with seal, proof of citizenship and/or residence, photo identification, if underage parental consent, death certificate if widowed, and divorce decree if divorced.
- This process can be completed within 4 – 5 weeks. What takes the longest is getting everything notarized.
- Marriage license is valid for 60 days after issuance. You must perform the ceremony of marriage before this 60 days has expired.Reminder: Whoever officiates your wedding is responsible for sending your signed license to the marriage license bureau, and then you should receive a certified copy within a few weeks or months. Until the marriage licenses are signed by bride, groom and official you are not married.
Marriage License in Florida
ID Requirement: You will need a picture ID such as a driver’s license AND social security card and/or a valid passport number or I-94 card.
Waiting Period: Good news! No waiting for Florida residents IF both bride and groom have COMPLETED, within the last 12 months, a state sanctioned marriage preparation course. However, there is a 3 day waiting period for the Florida residents that did not complete this course.
Residency Requirement: You don’t have to be a Florida resident and the waiting period does not apply to non-Florida residents.
Application Requirement: BOTH the bride and groom must appear in person at the time of applying.
If Remarrying: If previously married, you will need the date of the divorce or date of the spouse’s passing. If the divorce or spouse’s passing occurred within the past 30 days, a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate is required.
Fee: $93.50 -CASH only. Couples who have completed a state-sanctioned marriage preparation course within the past 12 months are entitled to a discount of $32.50. The provider of the class must be listed with the Clerk’s office.
Hot Tip: Also for a faster process you can fill out an online pre-application (https://www2.miami-dadeclerk.com/mlsweb/PreApp.aspx ) print it and bring it with you to one of the offices listed for the application process to be completed.
Picture from: http://scottcountyclerk.com/marriage-license/