Deborah Chan
In Florida, marriage licenses are issued by counties and are valid for 60 days. The entire process of obtaining a marriage certificate can take anywhere from three to six weeks. After the ceremony, the marriage license must be returned to the Clerk of Circuit Court to be filed and recorded. The Clerk then forwards the marriage record to the Bureau of Vital Statistics for permanent filing, a process that takes approximately 60 days.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken to get a marriage license | Between 3 to 5 weeks |
| Validity of marriage license | 60 days |
| Waiting period after applying for a marriage license | 3 days |
| Waiting period waiver | Completion of a premarital course |
| Cost of marriage license | $93.50 |
| Cost of additional certified copies of marriage certificate | $3.00 |
| Cost of search fee | $5.00 |
| Time taken to get the marriage certificate after the wedding | 3-6 weeks |
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What You'll Learn
Marriage certificates are issued by the Clerk of Circuit Court
In Florida, marriage certificates are issued by the Clerk of Circuit Court. The Clerk of Circuit Court records and files the marriage license, which is then forwarded to the Bureau of Vital Statistics for permanent filing. This process typically takes around 60 days. If you require immediate evidence of your marriage before this period, you may contact the Clerk of Circuit Court in the county where the marriage license was issued.
To obtain a marriage certificate, you must first apply for a marriage license. This can be done online or in-person at any county clerk's office in Florida. The cost of a marriage license is $93.50, however, this fee can be reduced by up to $32.50 if you complete a licensed Florida pre-marital course. The license is valid for 60 days, and there is a three-day waiting period after applying before the marriage can take place, unless the pre-marital course is completed.
After the marriage ceremony, the officiant (a pastor, priest, minister, notary public, etc.) must fill out and sign the marriage license. The license is then returned to the Clerk of Circuit Court to be recorded and filed. The Clerk will forward the record to the Bureau of Vital Statistics, and you will receive a certified copy of your marriage license by mail.
If you require additional certified copies of your marriage certificate, these can be obtained for a fee of $3.00 per copy. These fees should be given to the Notary or Minister on the wedding day and enclosed with the marriage license. The entire process, from applying for a license to receiving the marriage certificate, can take between 4 to 6 weeks.
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The certificate is acceptable evidence of a finalized marriage
In the state of Florida, the marriage certificate is issued as an abstract of the information taken from the marriage license. It is acceptable as evidence that a marriage was finalized and recorded. The marriage license should be given to the Notary or Minister on the wedding day, who will then be responsible for mailing it back to the courthouse to have it recorded. This will become the official Marriage Certificate.
The process of obtaining a marriage certificate takes approximately 60 days. The original marriage license must be signed by the officiant and returned to the Central Courthouse Marriage Division within 10 days of the marriage ceremony. The Clerk of Circuit Court will then forward the marriage record to the Bureau of Vital Statistics for permanent filing. If the marriage ceremony is less than 60 days from the date of application and immediate evidence of the marriage is required, you may contact the county Clerk of Circuit Court where the marriage license was issued.
Florida marriage certificates from June 6, 1927, to the present, that have been recorded by the Clerk of Circuit Court, are available through the Bureau of Vital Statistics. The certificate is issued as an abstract of the information taken from the marriage license and is, therefore, acceptable evidence of a finalized marriage. The Bureau of Vital Statistics offers walk-in or mail-in services. The normal processing time is 3 to 5 business days for computer certificates (1970 to the present), not including shipping time to and from the office.
To obtain a marriage certificate, you must complete the DH261 Application for Marriage Certificate. The application fee is $5, which includes a non-refundable search fee. Payments can be made by cash, check, money order, Visa, or Mastercard. The application can be mailed to the Florida Department of Health, or you can visit their office in Jacksonville, Florida, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
It is important to note that marriage licenses in Florida are valid for 60 days. The state aims to have the license issued about 50 days before the wedding, so that it expires a few days after the wedding, allowing for some flexibility in the wedding date. Additionally, there is a mandatory 3-day waiting period for Florida residents before the marriage license becomes effective, unless a premarital course is taken from a registered provider.
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There is a 3-day waiting period after applying for a marriage license
In Florida, there is a mandatory 3-day waiting period after applying for a marriage license before the marriage can be solemnized. This waiting period is applicable for Florida residents only and can be waived if both parties complete a premarital course from a registered provider and present the certificate of completion when applying for the license. The premarital course must be completed before the issuance of the license for the waiting period to be waived.
The marriage license is valid for 60 days after issuance, and the marriage ceremony must be performed within this period. The 60-day validity period is calculated to cover the wedding day and a few extra days, so there is some flexibility if the wedding date needs to be changed. The online wedding license application process typically takes between 3 to 5 weeks, and the license is usually issued about 50 days before the wedding.
After the marriage ceremony, the officiant (pastor, priest, minister, notary public, etc.) must fill out and sign the marriage license. The signed license is then returned to the Clerk of Circuit Court, who will file and record it. The Clerk will forward the marriage record to the Bureau of Vital Statistics for permanent filing. This entire process, from the marriage ceremony to the final filing, takes approximately 60 days.
If immediate evidence of the marriage is required before the 60-day period elapses, you may contact the county Clerk of Circuit Court where the marriage license was issued. Additionally, you can request additional certified copies of the marriage certificate for a small fee. These copies can be used for changing your name and proving your marital status.
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The cost of a marriage certificate is $93.50
The cost of a marriage certificate in Florida is $93.50. This fee is payable to "Vital Statistics" and can be paid by check or money order. Florida Law imposes an additional service charge of $15.00 for dishonored checks.
The marriage license is valid for 60 days after issuance, and there is a mandatory three-day waiting period after applying for Florida residents. This waiting period is waived for non-residents of Florida. To waive the three-day waiting period, both parties must attend and complete a premarital course from a registered provider and present the certificate of completion when applying for their license.
The marriage license should be given to the Notary or Minister on the wedding day, who will then be responsible for mailing it back to the courthouse to have it recorded. This will become the official Marriage Certificate. This process can take between 3 to 6 weeks and will be mailed back to the couple.
If you wish to have additional certified copies of the Marriage Certificate, they are $3.00 per copy. This money should be given to the Notary or Minister on your wedding day. The Notary or Minister will enclose the payment with the marriage license in the provided envelope, which they will return to the courthouse for recording.
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The certificate can be obtained by mail or in person
After the wedding ceremony, the officiant (pastor, priest, minister, notary public, etc.) must fill out and sign the marriage license. The marriage license must then be dropped off or mailed to the courthouse to be recorded in the Official Records. A certified copy of the marriage license, which acts as the official marriage certificate, will be mailed to the couple once it is recorded. This process can take between 3 to 6 weeks.
The Bureau of Vital Statistics offers walk-in or mail-in services. To save time, download and complete the forms you need. The Bureau of Vital Statistics may be reached at (904) 359-6900, ext. 9000. DH261 Application for Marriage Certificate (141K pdf). Fees: A $5.00 search fee is included in all orders and is non-refundable. UPS shipping is available for an additional fee and requires a signature upon delivery. Regular mail may be selected as a shipping method for no additional cost.
If you wish to obtain a marriage certificate in person, you can walk into one of the local courthouses (if no appointment is needed). You can apply for your license at any county clerk's office. Identification, such as a picture ID (driver's license, state ID card, or valid passport), is required, and both parties will also have to provide their Social Security numbers. Marriage license fees are $93.50 and can be paid by check or money order payable to "Vital Statistics".
Alternatively, you can apply for a marriage license by mail. You must be 18 years or older to apply for a marriage license by mail. This option is also available for those who live overseas. The license is valid for the whole state of Florida.
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Frequently asked questions
The marriage license must be filled out and signed by the officiant and then dropped off or mailed to be recorded in the Official Records. This process can take between 4-6 weeks.
Marriage licenses are valid for 60 days after issuance. There is a 3-day waiting period after issuance before the marriage can take place, unless a premarital course has been completed.
The marriage license fee is $93.50 and can be reduced by up to $32.50 if a licensed Florida pre-marital course is completed. Additional certified copies of the marriage certificate are $3 each.
