Fort Lauderdale City Florida marriage records are public documents held by the Broward County Clerk of Courts. These records show who got married in Fort Lauderdale, when the marriage took place, and where the license was issued.
You can search for these records online, request them by mail, or visit the clerk office in person. The clerk office sits inside the Central Courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale and serves every city within Broward County. This page explains how to search, request, and obtain certified copies of marriage records from Fort Lauderdale using current 2026 procedures, fees, and office details.
Marriage Records in Fort Lauderdale: Key Facts
Marriage records in Fort Lauderdale fall under Florida public records law. Anyone can ask for a copy, though sensitive details like Social Security numbers stay hidden from public view. The records include the full names of both spouses, the date of marriage, the county where the license was issued, the license number, and the name of the officiant who performed the ceremony.
Role of the Broward County Clerk of Courts
The Broward County Clerk of Courts keeps all marriage records for Fort Lauderdale and every other city in the county. Fort Lauderdale serves as the county seat, so the main clerk office sits here. Marriage licenses are issued here, signed by officiants here, and stored in both paper and digital form. The clerk also issues certified copies of marriage certificates, which carry a raised or stamped seal that proves the document is real for legal use.
What Records Are Available in Fort Lauderdale
The clerk office holds three main types of marriage records. The first is the marriage license application, which includes personal details about both spouses before the wedding. The second is the marriage certificate, which proves the marriage took place. The third is the officiant return, signed after the ceremony and filed with the clerk. All three types remain public unless a court seals them.
Who Can Request These Records
Florida law allows anyone to request a copy of a marriage record. You do not need to be a family member, spouse, or attorney. Businesses, researchers, and genealogy groups can also request copies. The only exception is when a record is sealed by a court order. Sealed records require a court order to open. Public copies never show Social Security numbers, even for current records.
Marriage License Requirements in Fort Lauderdale
Couples who want to marry in Fort Lauderdale must get a marriage license before the ceremony. The license costs $86 for most couples. Couples who finish a registered premarital course pay a reduced fee of $61. The license stays valid for 60 days from the issue date. Couples must use the license within that window or apply for a new one.
Documents Needed for a Marriage License
Both parties must show up at the clerk office together. Each person must bring a valid photo ID, such as a driver license, passport, state ID card, military ID, or alien registration card. U.S. citizens must also provide their Social Security number. If either party was married before, they must know the exact date the prior marriage ended, whether through divorce, annulment, or death. The clerk does not need a copy of the divorce decree at the application stage, but they will ask for the date.
Marriage License Fees and Payment Methods
The standard marriage license fee in Fort Lauderdale is $86. A premarital course certificate from a registered Florida provider drops the fee to $61. The clerk accepts cash and major credit cards. Personal checks are not accepted for marriage license payments. A civil ceremony performed by the clerk costs an extra $30. This is a short ceremony held at the courthouse for couples who do not have an officiant.
| Service | Fee | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage License | $86 | Standard fee for Florida residents |
| Marriage License | $61 | Reduced fee with premarital course |
| Civil Ceremony | $30 | Optional, performed by clerk |
| Certified Copy of Marriage Record | $3 | Each copy, from county clerk |
| Marriage Record Search | $5 | State-level search plus one copy from Florida Department of Health |
| Additional State Copy | $4 | Each extra copy from state office |
Waiting Period and License Validity
Florida residents face a three-day waiting period between getting the license and using it. The clock starts the day after the license is issued. Non-Florida residents do not face this waiting period and can marry the same day they apply. A premarital course certificate waives the waiting period for all couples. The license stays valid for 60 days, including the waiting period. After 60 days, the license expires and cannot be used.
Age Requirements and Special Cases
Both parties must be at least 18 years old to marry without parental consent in Florida. Minors aged 17 can marry with written consent from both parents or legal guardians and a judge. No one under 17 can legally marry in Florida. Couples related by blood cannot marry under Florida law. The clerk will refuse to issue a license to close blood relatives.
How to Search Fort Lauderdale Marriage Records
The Broward County Clerk offers a free online search tool for marriage records. The tool covers marriages from 1915 to the present day. You can search by last name, first name, or both. Results show the names of both parties and the date of the marriage. The tool does not show license numbers, addresses, or Social Security numbers.
Online Records Search Portal
The Broward County Clerk Records Request portal lets you search public records from any computer. The search returns basic marriage facts like the names of the spouses and the marriage date. You can view record details for free. To get a certified copy, you must request one through the portal, by mail, or in person. The portal accepts credit card payments for certified copies.
In-Person Search at the Clerk Office
Older records and records that do not appear online can be searched at the clerk office in person. Office staff can pull archived files from paper indexes dating back to 1915. You can ask for a records search at the front counter. The search itself is free, but certified copies cost $3 each. Bring a photo ID so staff can verify your identity before pulling the file.
State-Level Records From Florida Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health keeps marriage records from June 6, 1927, to the present day. State records cover all 67 Florida counties, including Fort Lauderdale marriages. You can order copies through the Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics or through VitalChek, the state’s authorized online vendor. State records work best for marriages outside Broward County or for records you cannot find at the county level.
How to Get Certified Copies of Fort Lauderdale Marriage Records
Certified copies of marriage records carry an official seal and a clerk signature. Banks, courts, immigration offices, insurance companies, and federal agencies usually require certified copies. Regular printouts from the online search do not count as certified. You must request a certified copy through one of the methods listed below.
Request Certified Copies by Mail
To request a certified copy by mail, send a written request to the Broward County Clerk of Courts at 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Your letter must include the full names of both spouses, the date of the marriage, and the number of copies you need. Include a check or money order for $3 per copy. Mail the request to the Records Department. Allow two to three weeks for processing and return delivery.
Request Certified Copies in Person
Visit the clerk office at the Central Courthouse, Midrise Building, 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 a photo ID and the marriage details. Pay $3 per copy by cash or credit card. Most requests are filled the same day if the record is already in the digital system.
Order Records Online Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the official online ordering service for Florida vital records. You can use it to order marriage certificates from the Florida Department of Health. VitalChek charges a processing fee on top of the state’s $5 fee. Total costs often run between $20 and $30 per copy. Online orders take five to ten business days to arrive by mail.
Marriage Records for Genealogy and Historical Research
Genealogy researchers often need Fort Lauderdale marriage records to build family trees. Records from 1915 to the present are open to the public. Older church and civil records may exist in local archives, libraries, and historical societies. The Broward County Historical Commission and the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society hold pre-1915 records in some cases. Online genealogy databases also index many Broward County marriages.
Records Available From 1915 to Present
The Broward County Clerk holds marriage records starting in 1915 when the county was created. Before 1915, parts of Broward County belonged to Dade County and Palm Beach County. Marriages from those years would be filed in those counties instead. Researchers tracing Fort Lauderdale families should also check records from Dade County (now Miami-Dade) and Palm Beach County for older entries.
Online Genealogy Databases
Websites like FamilySearch, Ancestry, and MyHeritage have indexed many Florida marriage records. These sites let you search for free and view record images with a paid subscription. The Broward County Clerk website also offers a free public search tool for recent records. Researchers should cross-check multiple sources to confirm marriage facts.
Florida Marriage Records Laws and Public Access Rules
Florida marriage records are public under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. This law makes most government records open to public inspection. The clerk office must provide copies to anyone who asks, as long as the record is not sealed. Sealed records require a court order to open. Public copies strip out Social Security numbers, bank details, and medical information when it appears on the original document.
Who Is Listed on a Florida Marriage Record
A standard marriage record shows the full legal names of both spouses, their ages at the time of marriage, their counties of residence, the date of the marriage, the location of the ceremony, the officiant’s name, and the witness names when listed. The license number and filing date also appear. Public copies redact Social Security numbers and any other sensitive data.
Legal Uses for Certified Copies
Certified copies of marriage records are required for name changes at the Social Security Administration and the Department of Motor Vehicles. Insurance companies ask for them when adding a spouse to a policy. Immigration offices ask for them during green card and citizenship applications. Courts ask for them during divorce, adoption, and probate cases. Employers sometimes ask for certified copies to verify dependent status for benefits.
Marriage Officiants and Ceremony Rules in Fort Lauderdale
Florida law lists who can perform a marriage ceremony. Ordained ministers, rabbis, priests, elders, and other religious leaders can officiate. Judges, clerks of court, and their deputies can officiate. Florida notaries public can also perform marriages. Couples who pick an officiant outside this list cannot have a legally valid ceremony in Florida.
Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Florida
Under Florida Statute 741.07, only certain people can solemnize a marriage. Religious officiants ordained by a church or religious group can perform ceremonies. Florida notaries public can officiate, even for non-religious ceremonies. The clerk office in Fort Lauderdale also performs civil ceremonies for $30. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and files it with the clerk within 10 days.
Witnesses and Other Ceremony Requirements
Florida law does not require witnesses for a marriage ceremony. Some religious traditions and officiants still ask for witnesses, but the state does not enforce it. The marriage license must be signed by both spouses, the officiant, and returned to the clerk within 10 days of the ceremony. Once filed, the marriage becomes part of the public record.
Contact Details for Fort Lauderdale Marriage Records
The Broward County Clerk of Courts manages all Fort Lauderdale marriage records. Couples can apply for licenses, search for records, and request certified copies at the main office.
Broward County Clerk of Courts
Central Courthouse, Midrise Building
540 SE 3rd Avenue, Room 02460
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 831-7283
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Official website: browardclerk.org
Florida Marriage Records Beyond Broward County
People searching for marriages that took place in other Florida counties should contact that county’s clerk office. Each of Florida’s 67 counties keeps its own marriage records. The Florida Department of Health also keeps a statewide marriage index that covers June 6, 1927, to the present. Researchers and family historians often need to check multiple counties to track a marriage history.
Major Florida Counties With Marriage Records
Miami-Dade County marriage records date back to 1836 and are held by the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts. Orange County marriage records are held by the Orange County Clerk in Orlando. Hillsborough County records are in Tampa at the Hillsborough Clerk of Court. Duval County covers Jacksonville. Palm Beach County records sit in West Palm Beach. Pinellas County records cover St. Petersburg and Clearwater. Each county uses its own search portal and fees.
| County | Main City | Clerk Office Location |
|---|---|---|
| Broward | Fort Lauderdale | 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale |
| Miami-Dade | Miami | 73 W Flagler Street, Miami |
| Orange | Orlando | 425 N Orange Avenue, Orlando |
| Hillsborough | Tampa | 800 E Twiggs Street, Tampa |
| Duval | Jacksonville | 501 W Adams Street, Jacksonville |
| Palm Beach | West Palm Beach | 205 N Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach |
| Pinellas | Clearwater | 315 Court Street, Clearwater |
Statewide Index Through Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, part of the Florida Department of Health, keeps the statewide marriage index. The index lists every marriage recorded in Florida from 1927 onward. You can order copies from the state office or through VitalChek. State copies cost $5 for the search plus $4 for each extra copy. Processing times run between five and ten business days.
Common Questions About Fort Lauderdale Marriage Records
People often ask about access rules, fees, and how to fix errors on marriage records. The questions below cover the most common situations. Each answer points to the right office, fee, and process for getting records, fixing mistakes, or checking the status of a pending request.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Marriage Certificate in Fort Lauderdale?
The clerk office in Fort Lauderdale usually records a marriage within two to four weeks after the ceremony. The officiant has 10 days to file the signed license with the clerk. After the clerk processes the license, you can request a certified copy. Same-day certified copies are available at the clerk office once the record is filed. State copies from the Florida Department of Health take 60 days or longer because of state-level processing.
Can I Search Fort Lauderdale Marriage Records for Free?
Yes. The Broward County Clerk offers a free online search tool that returns names and marriage dates. The search itself costs nothing. You only pay if you request a certified copy of the record, which costs $3 per copy at the county level. State-level searches through VitalChek and the Florida Department of Health charge $5 for a search plus certificate fees.
What if I Cannot Find a Marriage Record Online?
Some records are not yet in the online system, especially older ones from the early 1900s. Visit the clerk office in person and ask the staff to search the paper indexes. You can also check the state index through the Florida Department of Health. Church records, newspaper archives, and genealogy databases sometimes have marriage facts that never made it into government records.
How Do I Correct an Error on a Marriage Record?
Errors on a marriage record require a correction request through the clerk office. For minor typos, the clerk can fix them with a sworn statement from the spouses. For major errors like a wrong name or date, you may need a court order. Contact the clerk office at (954) 831-7283 to ask about the correction process and the fee. Most corrections take two to four weeks to process.
Are Online Marriage Records Official?
Online search results show basic record details and are useful for verification. They are not certified copies and cannot be used for legal paperwork. Banks, courts, immigration offices, and insurance companies require a certified copy with a raised seal or stamped seal from the clerk. Order a certified copy if you need an official document.
Can I Get Married the Same Day I Apply in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes, if you are not a Florida resident. Florida residents must wait three days after applying. The waiting period is waived for anyone who completes a registered premarital course. Couples who want a same-day ceremony can book a civil ceremony with the clerk for $30 after they apply. Non-Florida residents can apply, receive the license, and marry the same day.
What Documents Do I Need To Get Married in Fort Lauderdale?
Both parties need a valid photo ID such as a driver license, passport, state ID, military ID, or alien registration card. U.S. citizens also need their Social Security number. If either party was married before, they must know the exact date the marriage ended. Minors aged 17 need parental consent and a judge’s approval. No other documents are required at the application stage.