Davie City Florida marriage records are public documents held by the Broward County Clerk of Courts. Every marriage license, ceremony, and certificate issued inside the Town of Davie is recorded and stored by the county clerk office in Fort Lauderdale.
Davie does not run its own marriage office, so residents drive about 20 minutes east on I-595 to reach the Central Courthouse for license applications, ceremonies, and certified copies of marriage certificates. State law requires the county clerk to send marriage data to the Florida Department of Health for permanent archiving. This system means any person can request a certified copy of a Davie marriage record through the county, the state, or approved third-party vendors.
How Davie Marriage Records Are Managed
Marriage records in Florida follow a two-tier system. The county clerk files the original paperwork. The state office keeps a statewide index. Davie falls under Broward County, so all marriage services come from the Broward County Clerk of Courts office in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Which Office Handles Davie Records
The Broward County Clerk of Courts handles every marriage record tied to Davie. The office at 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Room 02460, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, accepts applications, performs civil ceremonies, and issues certified copies. Phone support runs at (954) 831-7283 during business hours. The clerk also sends each marriage to the Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics, which maintains statewide records from June 1927 forward.
Why the County Clerk Controls Town Records
Florida law gives county clerks direct authority over marriage documents within their jurisdiction. Davie sits inside Broward County, so the county clerk serves as the official record keeper. The town government has no role in marriage licensing or record keeping. Anyone in Davie who wants to get married or order a copy must work through the county clerk. Records stay at the county level for fast access, then flow to the state for long-term storage.
Marriage License Requirements in Davie
A marriage license in Davie costs $86 for most couples. Couples who complete an approved premarital preparation course pay $61 instead. The course must finish within 12 months before the application date. Both people must appear in person at the Broward County Clerk office. Walk-ins are welcome. No appointment is needed.
Documents You Need to Apply
Both applicants must bring valid photo ID. Accepted forms include a Florida driver license, state identification card, U.S. passport, or military identification. U.S. citizens also provide a Social Security number. Non-citizens can use a passport, permanent resident card, or visa. If either person was married before, bring proof of how the last marriage ended. The clerk needs the exact date the previous marriage was dissolved by divorce, death, or annulment.
Fees and Payment Options
The standard license fee is $86. The discounted fee is $61 with a premarital course completion certificate. Civil ceremonies performed by the clerk cost $30 extra. Payment methods include cash and major credit cards. Personal checks are not accepted. All fees are set by Florida Statutes Chapter 741 and apply uniformly across Broward County. Davie residents pay the same amount as residents of Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, or any other Broward city.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage License (Standard) | $86 | Florida residents, no course |
| Marriage License (Discounted) | $61 | With premarital course certificate |
| Civil Ceremony by Clerk | $30 | Walk-in basis at courthouse |
| Certified Copy of Record | $3 | Per copy, from Broward Clerk |
| State Search and One Copy | $5 | Florida Department of Health |
Waiting Period and Validity
Florida residents face a three-day waiting period between license issue and ceremony. The wait is waived for couples who complete a premarital course. Non-Florida residents skip the waiting period entirely. Once issued, a marriage license stays valid for 60 days anywhere in the state. The couple must perform the ceremony and return the signed license to the clerk within 10 days after the wedding.
Getting Certified Copies of Marriage Records
Certified copies of Davie marriage records carry the raised seal of the Broward County Clerk. These copies work for name changes, insurance claims, immigration paperwork, and legal proof of marriage. Anyone can request a copy because Florida marriage records are public under Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes.
In-Person Requests at Broward Clerk
Visit the Central Courthouse at 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Room 02460, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Bring both names on the marriage record, the approximate marriage date, and valid photo ID. Payment of $3 per copy is due at the counter. Cash and credit cards are accepted. Most in-person requests finish within the same visit.
Mail and Online Orders
Mail requests require a written letter with both full names, the marriage date, and a check or money order for $3 per copy. Mail the request to the Broward County Clerk of Courts, 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Online orders go through the Broward County Records Request portal or VitalChek. VitalChek adds processing fees on top of the $3 per copy. The state office also accepts mail and online requests at $5 for a search and one copy, with additional copies at $4 each.
Processing Times and Costs
Walk-in requests for Davie marriages are usually ready the same visit. Mail requests through the county take 5 to 10 business days. State-level orders take 2 to 4 weeks. The county office receives new marriage data faster than the state because the clerk records the return immediately. Couples who need proof quickly should order from the Broward County Clerk instead of waiting for state processing.
Searching Davie Marriage Records Online
Free name searches work through the Broward County Clerk records portal. The portal covers marriage records back to 1915. Results show both parties and the marriage date. Records before 1915 may need a visit to the county archives.
Broward County Records Portal
The Broward County Clerk website hosts a free public search tool. Users enter a last name and first name to look up marriage records. The portal includes indexes, images of older documents, and certified copy ordering options. Search results include document number, marriage date, and both parties’ names. Not every older record sits in the digital system, but the clerk staff can pull archived paper records on request.
Florida Department of Health Database
The state Office of Vital Statistics holds Florida marriage records from June 1927 forward. Online searches cost $5 and include one certified copy. Additional copies cost $4 each. Users order through the state website or VitalChek. The state database works well for older Davie marriages that predate county digitization. State records also help when a person cannot remember the exact county where the marriage was recorded.
Third-Party Search Sites
Several approved vendors connect to the state vital records system. VitalChek is the official third-party processor for Florida. Other genealogy platforms offer search tools but may charge extra fees and may not provide certified copies. People who need legal documents should order certified copies directly from the county clerk or the state office instead of using genealogy-only sites.
Special Situations and Record Updates
Marriage records sometimes need updates, corrections, or special certifications. Florida law allows amendments for clerical errors. The state also issues apostilles for couples who need to use their Florida marriage certificate in a foreign country.
Name Changes and Amendments
A marriage certificate supports a legal name change but does not automatically change a person’s name. The Social Security Administration and DMV require separate steps. Clerical errors on a marriage record, such as a misspelled name or wrong date, can be fixed through a formal amendment request. The clerk office handles amendments on county-recorded documents. The state office handles amendments on older records stored at the state level. Fees range from $20 to $50 depending on the type of correction.
Apostille for International Use
Foreign governments often require an apostille to accept a U.S. marriage certificate. The Florida Department of State issues apostilles in Tallahassee. Submit the certified marriage certificate along with the apostille request form and the required fee. Processing takes 3 to 5 business days by mail or faster in person. Some countries accept an apostille; others require full authentication through the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
Replacement for Lost or Damaged Certificates
Lost marriage certificates can be replaced through the same process as a certified copy request. Order a new certified copy from the Broward County Clerk for $3 each, or from the Florida Department of Health for $5 for the first copy. Damaged certificates should not be sent through the mail for replacement. Instead, request a new certified copy and destroy the damaged version to prevent misuse.
Historical Records and Genealogy Research
Davie became a town in 1925. Marriage records from before that date exist under the Broward County filing system when the area was part of Dade County. Historical researchers often need to look at county boundary changes to track old records correctly.
Records Dating Back to 1915
Broward County started keeping official marriage records in 1915 when it split from Dade County. Records before 1915 fall under Dade County history. Marriage records from 1915 to 1927 exist only at the county level because the state did not start statewide indexing until June 1927. Researchers can visit the Broward County Clerk archive room or hire a local records researcher to pull old paper files.
Accessing Pre-1927 Records
Pre-1927 Davie marriage records live only in county archives. The clerk office can search paper indexes for a small fee. Researchers should provide both names, the approximate year, and any known details like the officiant or location. The archive room at the Broward County Courthouse holds original ledgers and index books going back to the 1800s. Family history researchers can also check the Broward County Historical Commission and local library genealogy sections.
Genealogy Tools and Libraries
FamilySearch.org hosts a free Florida marriage index that links to images on FamilySearch microfilm. Ancestry.com and MyHeritage also carry Florida marriage collections. The Broward County Main Library in Fort Lauderdale offers free access to genealogy databases. Researchers should cross-check county records with state records and family-tree sources to confirm accuracy.
Contact and Visit Information
Use the contact details below for license applications, certified copies, and record searches. Always call ahead to confirm hours before visiting, especially around courthouse holidays.
Broward County Clerk of Courts
Address: 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Room 02460, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Phone: (954) 831-7283. Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Services: Marriage license applications, civil ceremonies, certified copies of marriage records, mail requests, and public record lookups.
Florida Department of Health Vital Records
Address: 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Phone: (904) 359-6900. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042. Website: floridahealth.gov. Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Services: Statewide marriage records from 1927, certified copies, amendments, and verification requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers cover the most common questions about Davie City Florida marriage records. Each response reflects current Florida law and Broward County Clerk procedures as of 2026. Use this section as a quick reference before contacting the clerk office.
Can I get a Davie marriage record without going to Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. Mail requests work through the Broward County Clerk office in Fort Lauderdale. Send both names, the marriage date, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the clerk office. Online orders are also available through the county portal and VitalChek. Phone orders are not accepted because the clerk must verify identity for certified copies. Most mail orders arrive within 5 to 10 business days.
How long does it take for a new Davie marriage to appear in state records?
New Davie marriages appear in county records within days after the signed license returns to the clerk. State records take about 60 days to update because the county sends the data to the Florida Department of Health for indexing. Couples who need proof immediately should order from the county clerk. People who need proof months later can use either source.
Are Davie marriage records available to the public?
Yes. Florida law under Chapter 119 makes marriage records public. Any person can request a copy by providing the names and marriage date. The clerk removes Social Security numbers and other protected details before releasing copies. Sealed records are rare and usually involve court-ordered confidentiality, which is uncommon for standard marriage documents.
What if I do not know the exact marriage date?
Use the year and a general range. The county clerk and state office can search within a date range for an extra fee. Provide both full names and a year or two-year window. The clerk will search the index and return results that match. If no record appears, broaden the search or check neighboring counties where the marriage may have been recorded instead.
Can I use a Florida marriage certificate in another country?
Most foreign governments require an apostille on top of the certified copy. The Florida Department of State in Tallahassee issues apostilles for $10 each. Submit the certified marriage certificate, the apostille request, and payment by mail or in person. Some countries also require a translation by an approved translator. Check the destination country’s rules before submitting paperwork.
Do I need an appointment to apply for a marriage license in Davie?
No. The Broward County Clerk accepts walk-ins for marriage license applications. Both applicants must appear together during business hours from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The process usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. Arrive early to avoid the lunchtime rush. Civil ceremonies by the clerk are also walk-in based on staff availability.
How much does a Davie marriage certificate cost?
A certified copy from the Broward County Clerk costs $3 per copy. The Florida Department of Health charges $5 for a search and first copy, plus $4 for each additional copy. VitalChek adds service fees that can raise the total to $15 or more per copy. Walk-in orders at the county courthouse avoid extra fees and ship faster.