Marriage License Q&A

You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to apply for a marriage license in the State of Florida.

Both parties of the intended marriage must come into the Clerk’s Office . Each party must have a valid photo identification such as a driver’s license, state identification card, government or military identification card, or a passport. A social security number is required to obtain a marriage license. If either party is from a foreign country and not a U.S. citizen, alien registration documentation, or other proof which contains an alien registration number is acceptable to obtain a marriage license. If either party was previously married and divorced, the date of the divorce will be required. If the date of the divorce was within the thirty days prior to the new application for a marriage license, a certified copy of the recorded final order will be required.

Effective January 1, 1999, a man and woman who are Florida residents must file with the Clerk of the Circuit Court a sworn affidavit, in writing, signed by both parties to the marriage, providing the social security numbers of each party and reciting the true and correct ages of each party. Additionally, a written statement signed by both parties must be provided to the Clerk which specifies whether the parties, separately or together, have completed a premarital preparation course and have read or been made aware of the rights and responsibilities of parties to a marriage as outlined in the Family Law Handbook as specified in Section 741.0306 Florida Statutes. A valid certificate of completion for both parties from the Premarital Preparation Course provider must also be filed with the application for a marriage license. Exceptions to this requirement apply to non-Florida residents and individuals asserting hardships.

A Premarital Preparation Course, required by Florida Statutes, is a course provided by a qualified instructor registered with the Clerk of the Circuit Court consisting of not less than 4 hours. The course may include instruction regarding conflict management, communication skills, financial responsibilities, children and parenting responsibilities on actual case data compiled from information reported by married couples who seek counseling. The course may be provided by personal instruction, videotape instruction, instructions via other electronic medium or a combination of these methods.

Premarital Preparation Course providers must register with the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Providers must be qualified instructors such as a licensed psychologist, a licensed clinical social worker, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed mental health counselor, an official representative of a religious institution with relevant training or any provider designated by the judicial circuit. A roster is available in any Clerk’s Office issuing marriage licenses.

Florida residents who have satisfied the Premarital Preparation Course requirements and who file the required affidavit and certificate of course completion with the Clerk of the Circuit Court when applying for a marriage license will be issued a marriage license effective the same day.

Non-Florida residents and individuals granted hardship status will not experience a delay in the effective date of a marriage license.

Florida residents who do not or cannot submit valid certificates of completion of a Premarital Preparation Course will be issued a license which has a delayed effective date of three days.

Florida residents who complete a Premarital Preparation Course will benefit from a reduction of $32.50 (See Schedule of Service Charges, Marriage Licenses ) in the marriage license fee. The course must have been taken no more than one year prior to the date of the application for a marriage license.

No, blood tests are not a requirement for a marriage license.

The marriage must be solemnized within sixty (60) days of issuance of the marriage license. The ceremony can be performed anywhere in the State of Florida.

A marriage license may be applied for in any county in the State of Florida.

Fees for marriage licenses are set by Florida Statutes and are subject to change as a result of legislative action. A current “Schedule of Service Charges” is available in any Clerk’s Office for your information, as well as online.

Fees for a marriage license for Florida residents are reduced if the parties have completed and provided proof of completion of a Premarital Preparation Course.

In Pinellas County, personal checks are accepted for a marriage license.

Checks should be made payable to:
KARLEEN F. De BLAKER
Clerk of the Circuit Court

A marriage license may be obtained Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at any one of the following offices of the Clerk of the Circuit Court.