Getting Married in Florida – Everything you need to know about applying for a marriage license.

Your list of to-do’s as your big day gets closer is probably close to a mile long… literally. We know how hectic it can be and how overwhelming it can feel when you are down to the wire, and you still have some very important things that need to be done! That’s why we wanted to walk you through exactly what you need to do to apply for your marriage license in the State of Florida so you can feel prepared, not confused!

Basic info

Anyone applying for a marriage license in Florida must provide photo identification that shows their name and birthdate, and you must have a social security number. Your marriage license is good for 60 days, so make sure you don’t get it too early, or it will no longer be valid when your big day finally arrives.

If you are a Florida resident, you have a three day waiting period after the date the license is issued, before you can use it to actually get married. This applies even if only one of you is a Florida resident. If you would like to waive the waiting period, you can opt to take a four hour premarital preparation course through a registered provider (as a bonus, taking the course lowers the cost of the marriage license from $86 to $61). 

For non-florida residents, you do not have a three day waiting period. That way, if you need to get your license in person, you can do it even as late as the day before the wedding. We strongly recommend doing the marriage license process virtually though, so you don’t have to make time to go in person once you get into town. The steps for that process can be found here; just click on the drop down that says “Virtual Licenses”.

Step By Step Process for Getting Your License in Person 

First, you need to complete the Marriage License Online Application and write down the number provided (it is called the Marriage License Kiosk Transaction Number). Next, you and your future spouse will need to read the Family Law Handbook. It is available in English here, and Spanish here. After that, fill out the Statement of Compliance. The next step is for couples who have a child together who was born in the state of Florida. If that applies to you, you will fill out but do not sign the Affirmation of Common Children Born in Florida. Finally, you are ready to book an appointment to get your marriage license, yay! On the day of your appointment, you will go in person to the Clerk’s Office to have your license issued and signed. You can go to any Clerk’s Office in the state of Florida to get your license, and use it in any Florida county you want to get married in. 

We hope that this helps you feel so much more confident and ready to check this very important task off of your to-do list! It is always our goal to help our couples feel as little stress as possible leading up to the big day. We can’t wait to help you plan, coordinate, and capture the most special day of your lives, because you deserve the best!

Learn more about the wedding services we offer on our website. Being a part of your team would be a dream come true for us!