How to get a Marriage License in Florida

1.  Pick any Florida county Clerk of Court office to apply

• You do not have to apply in the county where you live or where you’ll marry—Florida clerks issue licenses that can be used anywhere in Florida.

2.  Both of you gather what you’ll need

• Government-issued photo ID (commonly accepted: driver’s license/state ID/passport—exact list varies by county).
• Social Security number (if you’ve been issued one). Florida law requires each party to provide their SSN or another available ID number as part of the application affidavit.
• If either of you is not a U.S. citizen, Florida law allows providing an alien registration number, or other identification if you don’t have SSN/A-number.
• If either of you was previously married, many clerks ask for the date the prior marriage ended (divorce/annulment/death), often without requiring the documents.

3.  Read/access the Florida “Family Law Handbook”

• Florida requires you to sign a written statement that you have obtained and read (or accessed) the handbook/info on marital rights and responsibilities.

4.  Decide whether to take a premarital preparation course (optional, but helpful)

• The course must be at least 4 hours, and you’ll need a valid certificate of completion when you apply.
• Taking the course can:

            Waive the 3-day waiting period (when the waiting period would otherwise apply).

            Reduce the marriage license fee (Florida law provides for a fee reduction when a valid certificate is       

            presented, for a course taken within the allowed timeframe).

• Counties publish the exact “with course / without course” amounts (you’ll often see prices like $86 standard and $61 with course, but always confirm with the clerk).

5.  Apply with the Clerk (usually in person) and sign the required statements/affidavit

• The clerk can’t issue the license until the required affidavit/statements are completed (including SSNs/ID numbers and the handbook/course statements).

6.  Pay the fee and receive the license

• Your license will show an effective date (important for Florida residents—see below).

7.  Get married in Florida within the validity window

• Florida marriage licenses are valid for 60 days after issuance—after that, the ceremony can’t legally be performed under that license.
• The ceremony must be performed by someone authorized (examples include ordained clergy, judges, clerks, and Florida notaries).
• There is no blood test requirement in Florida.

8.  Make sure the completed license gets returned to the Clerk

• After the ceremony, the officiant must complete the certificate and send it back to the issuing clerk within 10 days.