Bonita Springs City Florida marriage records are maintained by the Lee County Clerk of Courts in Fort Myers. The city has no local clerk office for marriage licenses or records, so every couple and every researcher must work through the county office.
This page explains exactly how to apply for a license, search for records, order certified copies, and access older documents through the state archives.
Lee County Clerk of Courts Handles All Records
The Lee County Clerk of Courts is the only office in the region that processes marriage licenses and stores recorded marriage documents. Bonita Springs is the southernmost city in Lee County and borders Collier County. The clerk office sits about 30 miles north of Bonita Springs in downtown Fort Myers.
Office Location and Hours
The main clerk office for marriage services sits at 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33901. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office closes on weekends and all federal holidays. Drivers from Bonita Springs take I-75 north to Exit 138 or US-41 north. The drive takes 30 to 40 minutes with normal traffic.
Who Must Visit in Person
Florida law requires both parties to appear in person when applying for a marriage license. No exceptions exist for proxy applications in standard cases. Each person must show valid photo identification and sign the application in front of a clerk. Online or mail-in license applications are not accepted for first-time applicants.
Marriage License Requirements and Fees
The current marriage license fee in Lee County is $86.00. Couples who complete an approved premarital preparation course pay a reduced fee of $61.00. The course must be completed within one year before the license application date and the provider must be registered under Florida Statute Chapter 741.
Documents You Need
Each applicant must present a valid photo ID. Acceptable forms include a state driver license, U.S. passport, military identification card, or state-issued identification card. Both applicants must provide their Social Security number. If either party was married before, the exact date the previous marriage ended is required. No birth certificate is required for the license itself, but having one speeds up the application process.
Cost Breakdown
The standard license costs $86.00. The reduced license with a valid premarital course certificate costs $61.00. The clerk office accepts cash, credit cards, and debit cards. Personal checks are not accepted. Couples who want the clerk to perform the ceremony pay an additional $30.00 for that service.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard marriage license | $86.00 |
| License with premarital course | $61.00 |
| Clerk-performed ceremony | $30.00 |
| First certified copy | $7.00 |
| Each additional certified copy | $5.00 |
How to Apply for a Marriage License
The application process takes about 30 to 45 minutes from start to finish at the Lee County Clerk office. Both applicants must be present together. The clerk reviews documents, collects the fee, and issues the license. Florida residents face a three-day waiting period before the license becomes valid unless they present a valid premarital course certificate.
Application Steps
Couples applying for a marriage license in Lee County follow these steps. Both parties arrive at the Fort Myers clerk office together. Each person shows photo ID and provides a Social Security number. Any prior marriage end date gets recorded on the form. The couple pays the $86.00 fee or $61.00 with a course certificate. The clerk issues the license and explains the waiting period rules.
- Arrive at the Lee County Clerk office in Fort Myers together
- Present valid photo ID for both applicants
- Provide Social Security numbers
- Disclose prior marriage end dates if applicable
- Pay the license fee by cash or card
- Receive the issued marriage license
Waiting Period Rules
Florida residents must wait three days after the license is issued before the ceremony can take place. The waiting period starts the day after the license is issued. Non-Florida residents skip the waiting period entirely. Couples who completed an approved premarital course also skip the waiting period for all applicants regardless of residency. The license remains valid for 60 days from the issue date. After 60 days, the license expires and a new application plus fee is required.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
Florida Statute 741.07 lists the people authorized to perform marriage ceremonies. The list includes ordained ministers, rabbis, priests, judges, retired judges, court clerks, deputy clerks, and Florida notary publics. The officiant signs the marriage license after the ceremony and returns it to the clerk office within 10 days.
Authorized Officiants
Ordained ministers of any recognized religion may perform ceremonies. Judges and justices of any Florida court qualify. The Lee County Clerk and deputy clerks can perform ceremonies for an additional $30.00 fee. Florida notary publics may also officiate weddings after registering with the clerk. Online ordination through ministries recognized by the state qualifies an individual to officiate.
Return of Signed License
The officiant must complete the license with the date and location of the ceremony. Two witnesses are not legally required in Florida, but most ceremonies include them. The officiant returns the signed license to the issuing clerk office within 10 days. The clerk records the document and forwards it to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. The state recording process takes up to 60 additional days before the record appears in the state database.
Ways to Search Bonita Springs Marriage Records
Marriage records are public under Florida Statute Chapter 119. Any person may request copies without proving a relationship to the couple. The Lee County Clerk operates an online records search portal that covers Lee County marriages back to the early digital records era. The Florida Department of Health keeps statewide marriage records from June 1927 forward.
Online County Search Portal
The Lee County Clerk website hosts a free search tool that looks up marriage records by name or date range. Search results show basic information without payment. A certified copy of the record can be ordered through the same portal for the standard fees of $7.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy. Newer records may not appear in the county portal until 30 days after the clerk records them.
State Department of Health Records
The Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics keeps statewide marriage records starting June 1927. The state office searches cost $5.00 and include one certified copy. Additional copies cost $4.00 each. Mail requests to the Jacksonville office take 4 to 6 weeks. Online requests through the state portal are processed in 2 to 3 weeks. The state office cannot search for records before June 1927.
Third-Party Online Services
VitalChek is the official third-party vendor for Florida vital records. Their service charges $15.00 plus a processing fee per search. VitalChek accepts credit card orders online and by phone. Processing times match the state office at 2 to 6 weeks. For records filed in Lee County, the county clerk portal is usually faster than the state or third-party options.
Getting Certified Copies
Certified copies of marriage certificates carry the official seal of the issuing office and are accepted for legal purposes. Common uses include name changes at the Social Security Administration, passport applications, insurance updates, and immigration paperwork. Uncertified copies are useful for genealogy research but cannot be used for legal name changes.
In-Person Requests
Walk-in requests at the Lee County Clerk office are processed the same day. The applicant fills out a short request form and pays the fee at the cashier window. Valid photo ID is required to pick up certified copies of records. Sensitive data like Social Security numbers is blacked out on copies released to the general public.
Mail-In Requests
Mail requests must include both full legal names at the time of marriage, the wedding date, and the county where the license was issued. Include a check or money order payable to the Lee County Clerk of Courts. Self-addressed stamped envelopes speed up return delivery. Standard mail processing takes 5 to 10 business days from the date the request is received.
Online Orders
The Lee County Clerk online portal accepts credit card orders for certified copies. The system matches the request against recorded documents and processes payment immediately. Online orders typically ship within 2 to 3 business days through regular mail. Rush shipping options are available for an extra fee.
Florida State Archives and Old Records
Marriage records filed before June 1927 are not held by the Florida Department of Health. Older records fall under the care of the Florida State Archives in Tallahassee. Researchers looking for historical Bonita Springs marriage records often need to contact both the county clerk and the state archives depending on the year.
Records Before June 1927
Marriage records filed before June 1927 exist only in the county where the license was issued or in church records. The Florida State Archives holds microfilm copies of many early county records, including Lee County documents. Researchers can visit the archives in person or hire a local researcher to pull records on their behalf. Some records are available through the FamilySearch online database for free.
Genealogy Research Help
FamilySearch.org hosts a large collection of Florida marriage record indexes linked to images on the Florida State Archives microfilm. Researchers can search by name and view scanned images of original documents. Ancestry.com and MyHeritage also carry Florida marriage record collections behind subscription paywalls. Local libraries in Lee County, such as the Fort Myers Regional Library, offer free access to genealogy databases.
Common Situations and Solutions
Couples and researchers run into specific problems when dealing with marriage records. The most common situations involve name changes, errors on certificates, and verifying records for legal purposes. Each situation has a clear solution through the county clerk or state office.
Name Change After Marriage
A certified marriage certificate serves as proof of a legal name change in Florida. The certificate gets presented at the Social Security Administration office first to update the Social Security card. The updated Social Security card then goes to the driver license office to update the Florida driver license. Banks, insurance companies, and passport offices each require their own update forms.
Correcting Errors on Certificates
Spelling errors or wrong dates on a marriage certificate require a formal correction through the Lee County Clerk. The couple files a correction affidavit with supporting documents like birth certificates. Corrections cost $20.00 per document. The corrected certificate replaces the original in official records and certified copies reflect the change.
Verifying a Marriage Record
Employers, immigration offices, and other agencies sometimes need to verify that a marriage record is authentic. The Lee County Clerk can issue a verification letter confirming the record exists in their files. The Florida Department of Health also offers record verification for an extra fee. Apostille services for international use go through the Florida Secretary of State in Tallahassee.
Lee County Clerk Contact Details
The Lee County Clerk of Courts handles all marriage license and record requests for Bonita Springs residents and visitors. Direct contact information is listed below for quick reference during business hours.
Official Address
The Lee County Clerk of Courts main office for marriage services is located at 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33901. The office sits near downtown Fort Myers with public parking available on site. Drivers from Bonita Springs take I-75 north to Exit 138 and follow the signs toward downtown Fort Myers.
Phone and Hours
The main clerk phone number is (239) 533-5007. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office closes on weekends and federal holidays. The Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville can be reached at (904) 359-6900 for statewide marriage record questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers the most common questions about Bonita Springs City Florida marriage records. Each answer covers a specific topic that researchers, couples, and family members often ask. The responses rely on current Florida law and Lee County Clerk procedures as of 2026.
How long does it take to get a marriage license in Lee County?
The license application takes 30 to 45 minutes at the clerk office. Florida residents wait three days before the license becomes valid unless they complete a premarital course. Non-residents skip the wait. The license stays valid for 60 days after issuance, giving couples plenty of time to plan a ceremony.
Can I search Bonita Springs marriage records for free?
The Lee County Clerk online portal offers free basic searches by name and date. Results show whether a record exists along with the marriage date. Certified copies require payment through the portal. The Florida Department of Health charges $5.00 per search for statewide record lookups starting June 1927.
Are Bonita Springs marriage records public?
Yes, marriage records filed in Lee County are public under Florida Statute Chapter 119. Any member of the public can request copies without proving a relationship to the couple. Sensitive information like Social Security numbers is blacked out on copies released to non-family members.
What if I need a marriage record from before 1927?
Records filed before June 1927 fall under the Florida State Archives in Tallahassee. Researchers can search the archives microfilm collection or use FamilySearch.org. Some early Lee County records are also held by local churches and historical societies. The Lee County Clerk office cannot issue copies of pre-1927 records.
How much does a certified copy of a marriage certificate cost?
The first certified copy costs $7.00 from the Lee County Clerk. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $5.00. The Florida Department of Health charges $5.00 for the first certified copy and $4.00 for each additional copy. Third-party services like VitalChek charge $15.00 plus processing fees.
Can I get married at the Lee County Clerk office?
Yes, the Lee County Clerk office performs civil ceremonies for $30.00 on top of the license fee. Both applicants must already hold a valid license. Ceremonies take place at the clerk office Monday through Friday during business hours. Couples should call ahead to schedule a ceremony time.
How do I fix a mistake on my marriage certificate?
File a correction affidavit with the Lee County Clerk office. Bring the original certificate plus supporting documents like birth certificates. The correction fee is $20.00. The clerk processes the change and issues a corrected certificate. Major errors may require a court order before the clerk can make changes.
Authority and Entity Expansion List
The following topics and entities can expand the page authority for future updates:
- Collier County Clerk of Courts for adjacent Bonita Springs border records
- Florida Statute 741.04 text and historical amendments
- Lee County Historical Museum marriage record exhibits
- FamilySearch Florida marriage record collections and microfilm numbers
- Apostille process for international marriage certificate use
- Same-sex marriage recognition timeline in Florida
- Proxy and absentee marriage license exceptions for military couples
- Lee County genealogy society resources and research volunteers
- Florida marriage license application PDF sample and field explanations
- Prenuptial agreement recording rules in Lee County
- Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics annual marriage statistics report
- Name change checklist for newlyweds in Florida