Find Florida marriage records through the state Bureau of Vital Statistics, any county Clerk of Court, or online tools like VitalChek. Florida keeps marriage records from June 6, 1927, to today at the state level.
Older records and original signed licenses sit with the county clerk in the county where the marriage happened. You can order a certified copy for legal use, search by name for genealogy, or view public indexes online. This page covers every path to locate, request, and verify Florida marriage records in 2026.
Florida Marriage Records at a Glance
Florida marriage records stay open to the public under state law. Two offices hold them. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics stores statewide certificates. Each of the 67 county clerks stores original licenses. Most records arrive at the state office about 60 days after the wedding. Quick facts help you plan your search.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Counties in Florida | 67 |
| State certificate fee | $5 search + first copy |
| Extra copies same order | $4 each |
| State records start date | June 6, 1927 |
| Standard processing time | 3 to 5 business days |
| Marriage license base fee | $86 ($61 with course) |
| License validity | 60 days from issue |
| Return after ceremony | 10 days |
Where to Find Florida Marriage Records
Two main offices hold Florida marriage records. Choose based on the date and type of record you need. State and county offices serve different roles.
State Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Department of Health runs the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. This office keeps marriage certificates from June 6, 1927, to the present day. A certificate shows both names, the marriage date, and the county where the license was issued. It works as legal proof of marriage for most needs. Staff process requests by mail, online, and in person. Visit the lobby at 1217 N Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32231, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (904) 359-6900 for help.
Send mail orders to P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042. Include both full names before first marriage, dates of birth, marriage date, and county of issuance. Pay by check or money order made out to Vital Statistics. Do not send cash. International requests must use a U.S. bank cashier’s check in U.S. dollars.
County Clerk of Court Offices
Each of Florida’s 67 counties has a Clerk of the Circuit Court. The clerk issues marriage licenses and stores original signed licenses. A license has more detail than the state certificate. It includes the number of prior marriages, Social Security numbers, and witness data. County clerks send copies to the state, but originals stay local. For records before June 1927 or for a license filed less than 60 days ago, contact the county clerk where the marriage happened.
How to Order a Florida Marriage Certificate
You can order Florida marriage certificates three ways. Pick the method that matches your timeline and budget. Each method produces the same legal document.
Online Orders Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the only vendor under contract with the Florida Department of Health for online marriage record orders. The state warns against using other online services due to privacy risks. A standard order costs $15 for the state fee plus $7 for VitalChek processing. Add UPS shipping for faster delivery. Call 1-877-550-7330 to order by phone. VitalChek verifies your identity, collects details, and sends the request to the Jacksonville office.
VitalChek also lets you order from the county health department where the marriage happened. County health fees vary. If you used a third-party vendor and feel harmed, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Mail-In Requests to the State Office
Mail a written request to the Bureau of Vital Statistics at P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042. Include a check or money order for the fee. List both names before first marriage, birth dates, marriage date, and county. Attach a signed request form from the DOH website. Mail orders take 3 to 5 business days for 1970-present computer records, plus shipping.
In-Person Visits in Jacksonville
Visit the Jacksonville office at 1217 N Pearl Street. Bring a photo ID and full payment. Walk-in rush service costs an extra $10 for pre-1970 or photocopy records. Same-day service applies to records from 1970 forward in many cases. Hours run Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Florida Marriage License Rules
Florida marriage licenses follow rules in Chapter 741 of the Florida Statutes. These rules explain who can marry, what it costs, and what happens next. Both parties must follow the same steps.
Who Can Get Married in Florida
Florida allows marriage between two people who are at least 18 years old. Minors aged 17 need parental consent and a court order. Both parties must show a valid government photo ID. U.S. citizens provide a Social Security number. Non-citizens show a passport or other ID. Both parties sign an affidavit with their correct ages under Section 741.04. If either party was married before, give the exact date the last marriage ended by divorce, death, or annulment.
License Costs and Waiting Period
Most Florida counties charge $86 for a marriage license without a premarital course. Couples who finish a registered course pay $61 and skip the three-day waiting period. Section 741.0305 requires the course to finish within one year of the license application. A license stays valid for 60 days from the issue date under Section 741.041. Use it anywhere in Florida. Section 741.01 adds a $2 application fee and a $25 Domestic Violence Trust Fund fee to the base cost.
What Happens After the Ceremony
An approved officiant performs the ceremony. Judges, ministers, clerks, and notaries public qualify under Section 741.07. The couple and officiant sign the license. The signed license goes back to the issuing county clerk within 10 days. The clerk records the marriage and sends a copy to the state. The couple gets one free certified copy from the county clerk. The state office receives the record about 60 days later.
Search Florida Marriage Records by Name
Name searches work at both the county and state level. Most online tools let you search by full name or partial name with a date range. Some indexes are free, while certified copies always carry a fee.
County Online Search Tools
Pinellas County keeps marriage license records from May 1972 to today in a free online search. The Pinellas County Official Records portal lets you search by name at no charge. Order certified copies online for a small fee. This covers Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Largo.
Miami-Dade County offers one of the deepest online systems. The Marriage License Bureau search holds records from 1971 forward. Search by name or license number. Order certified copies by credit card. Duval County runs a marriage kiosk for online pre-applications. Jacksonville residents fill out forms before visiting the clerk.
Marion County also runs a similar kiosk in Ocala. Orange County has an eMarriage Application that lets you start online before your visit. Volusia County holds marriage records from 1965 forward.
Statewide and Multi-County Portals
My Florida County Records pulls official records from many counties into one search. Use this when you do not know which county to check. Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers runs a directory linking to every county clerk site. FamilySearch.org hosts free indexes of Florida marriages for genealogy.
Florida Marriage Records by County
Florida’s largest counties run their own online search systems. These tools let you search by name, order certified copies, and check license status. Each county sets its own fees and rules within state law.
Miami-Dade County Marriage Records
Miami-Dade County holds marriage licenses from 1971 to today in an online search portal. Search by name, date, or license number. Certified copies cost $9 for the first copy and $7 for each extra copy. The Miami-Dade Clerk’s Marriage License Bureau processes online orders with a credit card.
Orange County Marriage Records
Orange County runs an eMarriage Application system. Start the license process online, then visit the clerk to finish. Marriage records from past decades stay available through the Orange County Clerk’s official records search. Orlando residents use the Orange County Clerk of Courts for all marriage license needs.
Hillsborough County Marriage Records
Hillsborough County includes Tampa. The clerk office issues licenses and stores records. Search older records through the Hillsborough County Clerk’s official records portal. Online indexes cover most marriages from the 1970s forward. Tampa residents contact the Hillsborough clerk for marriage records and licenses.
Pinellas County Marriage Records
Pinellas County offers the deepest digital archive in Florida. Marriage licenses from May 1972 sit in the Pinellas County Official Records portal. Search by name at no charge. Order certified copies for a small fee. The Pinellas clerk also performs ceremonies for $30 and offers wedding photos for $10.
Duval County Marriage Records
Duval County covers Jacksonville. The clerk office uses an online kiosk for pre-applications. Search historical records through the Duval County Clerk’s official records portal. Duval charges $93.50 for a marriage license without a premarital course, slightly higher than the state average.
Fees for Florida Marriage Certificates
Fees for Florida marriage records split between state and county charges. State fees apply when ordering from the Bureau of Vital Statistics. County fees apply when ordering from a local clerk. Always check the latest fee schedule before paying.
| Service | State Fee | County Range |
|---|---|---|
| Search + first certified copy | $5 | $2.50 to $9 |
| Each extra copy | $4 | $3 to $7 |
| Each extra year searched | $2 (cap $50) | N/A |
| Shipping | $1 | Varies |
| Rush service (walk-in) | $10 | Varies |
| Bad check surcharge | $15 | $15 to $25 |
| Marriage license (no course) | N/A | $86 to $93.50 |
| Marriage license (with course) | N/A | $61 |
Payment methods vary by office. Most county clerks accept cash, money orders, and major credit cards. Personal checks are not accepted at many offices. Credit card surcharges of about 3.5% may apply.
Public Access and Privacy Rules
Florida law treats marriage records as public records. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes sets the rules for access. Section 119.01 makes it state policy that all government records stay open for personal inspection by any person. You do not need to be a party to the marriage or give a reason for your request.
Who Can Request a Marriage Record
Anyone can request a Florida marriage record. No proof of relationship is needed. Section 119.07 says the record custodian must allow inspection and copying at reasonable times. Regular copies cost up to 15 cents per page. Certified copies cost up to $1 per copy under state law. Special service charges may apply for requests needing heavy staff time.
What Information Gets Redacted
Section 119.071 lists exemptions to public access. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and medical details get redacted from public copies. Anyone who feels at risk can ask the clerk to seal parts of their record. Miami-Dade County has a Request for Confidentiality of Marriage Record form for this purpose. Most of the record stays open to the public. Section 741.09 requires every clerk to keep a correct record of all marriage licenses issued.
Before getting a license, both parties must read the Family Law Handbook created by the Florida Bar under Section 741.0306. The clerk provides this handbook at no cost.
Historical and Genealogical Records
Genealogy researchers often need Florida marriage records from the 1800s and early 1900s. These older records stay only at the county level. The state office only holds records from June 6, 1927, forward.
FamilySearch Florida Marriages
FamilySearch.org hosts free indexes of Florida marriages scanned from county records. Search by name and view digital images at no cost. The collection covers many Florida counties from the early 1800s through the 1900s. Create a free account to view records. FamilySearch partners with Florida county archives to keep these indexes updated.
Records Before June 1927
Florida marriage records before June 6, 1927, exist only at the county clerk office. Contact the clerk in the county where the marriage happened. Many early records sit on microfilm at the clerk office or the state archive in Tallahassee. Some are available through the Florida Memory project at the State Library and Archives. Expect limited details in older records, as early licenses often list less information than modern certificates.
Apostille and Certified Copies
A certified copy works for most U.S. legal matters. Foreign countries often need an apostille in addition to the certified copy. An apostille proves the signature and seal on the document are real for use abroad.
When You Need an Apostille
You need an apostille when using a Florida marriage certificate in a country that joined the Hague Apostille Convention. The apostille makes the document valid for use in that country. Countries outside the Hague Convention may need a different process called consular legalization.
How to Get an Apostille in Florida
The Florida Department of State issues apostilles in Tallahassee. Mail the certified copy of your marriage certificate with a request form and fee to the Bureau of Authentication. Processing takes about 5 to 10 business days. Use expedited service for faster delivery. Check the Department of State website for the latest fee and form. Some private courier services also help with apostille requests for an extra charge.
Florida Marriage Records FAQ
The following questions cover common search needs, legal rules, and practical issues people face when looking up Florida marriage records. Each answer gives direct facts you can use right away.
How do I find Florida marriage records for free?
You can search free indexes at FamilySearch.org for historical Florida marriages. Many county clerk sites let you view record images at no charge, including Pinellas County from 1972 forward. The Bureau of Vital Statistics charges a fee for certified copies, so free search only works for non-certified lookups. Always check the county clerk in the county where the marriage happened, as older records only exist at the local level.
Can anyone get a copy of a Florida marriage certificate?
Yes. Florida marriage records are public under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. You do not need to be a relative or show a reason. Anyone can request a certified copy by mail, online through VitalChek, or in person at the Jacksonville office. Sensitive details like Social Security numbers get redacted from public copies under Section 119.071.
How long does it take to get a Florida marriage certificate?
Online and mail orders take 3 to 5 business days for computer records from 1970 forward, plus shipping. Walk-in rush service at the Jacksonville office can produce same-day certificates for 1970-present records for a $10 fee. Records before 1970 require photocopy generation and may take longer. County clerk offices often issue certified copies of recorded licenses the same day.
What is the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate in Florida?
A marriage license is the original document signed by the couple, officiant, and witnesses. The county clerk holds the original license. A marriage certificate is the abstract issued by the state showing both names, the marriage date, and the county. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps certificates from June 1927 forward. Use the certificate for most legal purposes, and contact the county clerk for the full license copy.
Do Florida marriage records show previous marriages?
The state certificate shows basic facts like names, date, and county. It does not list previous marriages unless you request it specifically. The county marriage license includes the number of prior marriages and the date each ended. Order the license copy from the county clerk if you need full prior marriage data.
Can I verify a Florida marriage certificate online?
Florida does not run a public verification system for marriage certificates. Check the certificate’s security features, including raised seals, signatures, and the state file number. Contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics at (904) 359-6900 to confirm if a certificate number matches state records. The issuing county clerk can also confirm the original license.
What if I do not know the exact marriage date?
Order a search range from the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Each extra year searched costs $2, with a cap of $50. County clerks also accept range searches. Provide as much detail as you can, including both names, the county, and an approximate year range. The search fee is nonrefundable even if no record turns up.