Florida Marriage Records

Florida began maintaining statewide marriage records on June 6, 1927. Florida has a marriage rate of 7.1 marriages per 1,000 residents, higher than the national average of 6.2 per 1,000 people. Florida's marriage rate corresponds to around 159,000 marriages recorded annually.

Florida marriage records are official documents that chronicle the union between two individuals, serving as legal proof of the marriage. In Florida, the main types of marriage records include marriage licenses and marriage certificates, each serving distinct functions.

• Marriage Licenses: Marriage licenses are legal documents obtained by a couple before their wedding ceremony. Marriage licenses, issued by the clerk of court, permit couples to marry within the state. After the license is issued, there is a mandatory waiting period before the couple may legally tie the knot. The license is valid for a period within which the marriage ceremony must occur, and the license is returned to the clerk of courts. A typical marriage license contains the full names of both applicants, date of birth, current addresses, date and county of issuance, license number, and validity period.
• Marriage Certificates: A marriage certificate is an official document issued after the marriage ceremony takes place, serving as legal proof that the marriage has been finalized and recorded. After the wedding ceremony, the officiant completes the marriage license and submits it to the clerk of court for recording. The clerk's office forwards the recorded marriage license to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics for permanent filing. Marriage certificates contain the full names of both spouses, the date and location of the marriage ceremony, and the names and designation of officiants and witnesses.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in Florida?

Marriage records in Florida are maintained at the county and state level:

• Marriage licenses and marriage certificates under 60 days are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller.
• The Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics maintains marriage certificates from June 6, 1927, to the present.

You can look up marriage records in Florida by contacting the Clerk of the County Court. Most counties in Florida offer online resources to conduct marriage license searches. These platforms require the couple's full names and marriage dates to look up marriage records. Alternatively, you may contact the Clerk of the County Court where the marriage took place to obtain marriage records. Similarly, marriage certificates in Florida are accessible at the Bureau of Vital Statistics. To access the record, complete the Application for Marriage Certificate form and submit the application in person or by mail. The physical and mailing address is as follows:

Generally, you will need to include the following in your application:

• Full name of both spouses
• Date of marriage
• County where the license was issued
• A valid government-issued ID
• The fees

Are Marriage Records Public in Florida?

Marriage records are generally considered public records in Florida and are accessible to the general public. This openness reflects the state's commitment to accountability and transparency as provided in Section 119.01 of Florida Statutes, called Florida's Public Records Act. Therefore, Florida's marriage records are publicly accessible, with various options for obtaining them online, in person, or by mail.

How Much Do Florida Marriage Records Cost?

The fee for marriage records differs depending on the county. Expect to pay between $5 and $9 to obtain the first copy of a certified marriage license from the county clerk's office. Most counties charge an additional $2 as a search fee if the exact year of marriage is unknown. Extra copies of the same record requested cost around $3 - $4.

Similarly, the Bureau of Vital Statistics charges $5 for one certified copy of the marriage license and $4 for additional copies requested. There is a $2 search fee where the exact marriage year is unknown and a $10 rush fee to expedite the processing of the record request.

At the county level, processing time differs, especially for mail-in requests. Generally, the processing times range between 7 to 10 business days. Walk-in requesters may obtain the record on the same day. At the state level, the processing time is between 3 to 5 business days, excluding shipping time for records from 1970 to present. Record requests for marriages conducted before 1970 have a longer processing time.

Is It Possible to Make Your Marriage Records Confidential in Florida?

Marriage records are considered open records in Florida, meaning they are accessible to the public. Therefore, the state does not offer confidential marriage licenses, and there is no state-approved process to have your marriage records sealed from the public. Generally, personal information may be redacted to protect individual privacy.

How Do I Verify the Authenticity of Florida Marriage Records?

Verifying the authenticity of your Florida marriage record is essential for various legal and personal reasons. Proof of marital status may be required when applying for visas, claiming a deceased spouse's estate, initiating legal separation, applying for social benefits, or reconstructing family histories.

Usually, authenticated copies of marriage records contain the signature from a designated official, document number or barcode, and an embossed or raised seal from the issuing authority authenticating the record. You may verify a marriage record's authenticity by contacting the clerk of the circuit court where the marriage was registered. Similarly, you may verify the authenticity of Florida marriage records conducted after June 6, 1927, by contacting the Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Can I Find Florida Marriage Records Online for Free?

Accessing Florida marriage records online for free is possible through various non-governmental sources. These platforms usually compile public records and genealogical data, offering historical and recent marriage information. Some of these resources include:

• FamilySearch.org: The site provides access to a vast collection of genealogical records. Users can search for marriage information for free using the names, marriage dates, and location.
• Ancestor Hunt: This website aggregates links to free Florida marriage records from various sources, making it easy for users to locate marriage information.
• PublicRecords.com: Offers access to numerous public records, including marriage records. Although some services may require a fee, the platform provides information on how to access marriage records across different jurisdictions.

What Is Required to Get a Florida Marriage License?

Obtaining marriage licenses in Florida requires the applicant to meet specific requirements, including:

• Both parties must be 18 years or older
• Both parties may read the Family Law Handbook before obtaining the marriage license and affirm that they have read it
• If either applicant is aged 17 years old, both parents or legal guardians must be present at the courthouse
• Both parties must be present at the courthouse
• Present a valid state or federal government photo identification
• U.S. citizens may provide their Social Security number, while non-U.S. citizens may provide an alien registration card
• Persons previously married must provide the date of divorce, annulment, or death

There is a required three-day waiting period before the marriage license becomes effective. Once issued, the marriage license is valid for 60 days, during which the marriage ceremony must occur within the timeframe.

Can You Amend Marriage Records in Florida?

Yes. You may amend your marriage records in Florida. However, amendments are permitted under specific conditions, such as typographical errors in names, dates, or places and errors related to the officiant's name. Substantive errors that can alter the legal identity or status of the parties, such as changing the names or altering the marital status, are not permitted without first obtaining a court order.

Amending Florida Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Florida may be corrected after issuance but before the wedding ceremony. To amend a Florida marriage license, both parties may visit the Clerk of the Circuit Court together in the county of issue. Bring along any supporting documents to verify the correct information. Most counties require you to complete an amendment form obtainable from their website or at the courthouse.

However, some counties require the initial request to amend the marriage license to begin with a phone call. The fee for amending Florida marriage licenses is generally around $15 to $30. The exact amount varies by county.

Amending Florida Marriage Certificate

Correcting an error on a Florida marriage certificate is an amendment to a vital record. Consequently, for marriages recorded from June 6, 1927, to the present, corrections are processed through the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. For older records, amendments are made at the courthouse where the marriage certificate was issued.

Persons amending their marriage certificate may complete an amendment application that details the error and states the correct information. The form must be notarized to verify its authenticity. To support the correction, applicants may submit supporting documents and an acceptable form of identification. Florida law requires a non-refundable fee of $20 for processing amendments. There is an additional $10, the rush fee, for expediting the amendment request. Generally, the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics processes amendment requests within 2-3 weeks.