Aventura City Florida marriage records are official documents held by the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court, since Aventura is a city located inside Miami-Dade County. The Clerk issues marriage licenses, keeps the records, and sells certified copies to anyone who needs them.
This page explains exactly how to search, request, and get a certified copy of a marriage record for someone who lived, married, or currently lives in Aventura, Florida.
How Aventura Marriage Records Work
Marriage records in Aventura are part of the Miami-Dade County system. The City of Aventura does not run its own marriage office. The Clerk of Courts handles every part of the process, from the license to the certified copy. Florida law makes these records public, so anyone can look them up.
Who Keeps the Records
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court keeps Aventura marriage records. The Clerk also sends copies of each new marriage to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, which is part of the Florida Department of Health. The state office holds records from June 6, 1927 to today. Any marriage before that date stays only with the county clerk where it was filed.
Why Aventura Uses Miami-Dade Clerk
Aventura sits inside Miami-Dade County. Florida law gives county clerks the job of issuing licenses and recording marriages. Even though Aventura has its own city hall, the city does not handle marriage paperwork. All marriage tasks go through the county clerk.
Where Aventura Residents Apply for a Marriage License
People in Aventura apply for a marriage license at any Miami-Dade Clerk office. There are six locations across the county. The main office is in downtown Miami, but several branch offices sit closer to Aventura in north Miami-Dade.
Main Clerk Office Location
The main office sits at Overtown Transit Village South, 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136. The phone number is (786) 469-2400. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, and online appointments are available to cut wait times.
Documents You Need to Bring
Both partners must show up together with valid photo ID. Accepted IDs include a driver license, passport, military ID, state ID, alien registration card, or naturalization certificate. U.S. citizens also need a Social Security number. If either person was married before, the date the previous marriage ended is required. No blood test is needed in Florida.
Aventura Marriage License Fees
The base cost for a marriage license in Miami-Dade County is $86. Couples who finish an approved premarital course can drop the fee to $61. The premarital course must come from a registered Florida provider and be finished within 12 months of applying.
Cost Breakdown for Licenses and Copies
Florida law sets the fees that all counties must charge. Below is the full price list for Aventura residents using the Miami-Dade Clerk.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard marriage license | $86 |
| License with premarital course | $61 |
| Civil ceremony by clerk | $30 |
| Duplicate license | $30 |
| Amendment to license | $30 plus court order |
| First certified copy | $9 |
| Each additional certified copy | $7 |
| Year search (unknown date) | $2 per year |
Accepted Payment Methods
The clerk office takes cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. Personal checks are not accepted. Mail orders must include a cashier’s check or money order made out to the Clerk of the Courts.
How to Search Aventura Marriage Records Online
The Miami-Dade Clerk runs a free online search portal for marriage records. Anyone can search by name or license number from home. The portal covers records from 1971 to the present day.
Using the Miami-Dade Online Marriage Bureau
Go to the Miami-Dade Online Marriage License Bureau website at www2.miamidadeclerk.gov/mlsweb. Type in the last name or the license number. The search shows both spouses’ full names and the date of the marriage. The portal is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Records older than 1971 are not online and must be requested by phone or mail.
Florida Department of Health State Records
For Aventura marriages filed after June 6, 1927, the Florida Department of Health keeps the state copy. The Department of Health website is www.floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/marriage-certificates. State copies cost $5 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy. VitalChek, the official vendor, charges $15 plus $7 for online orders.
Which Office Is Faster
The county clerk is faster for Aventura marriages. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics takes about 60 days to receive and index new records. New marriage records show up at the county clerk within 2 to 4 weeks after the ceremony. For proof of a recent marriage, start with the county clerk.
Steps to Get Married in Aventura
Florida has a clear set of steps for couples who want to marry. The process takes less than one hour at the clerk office, plus a 3-day wait for Florida residents.
Step-by-Step License Process
- Fill out the online pre-application on the Miami-Dade Clerk website.
- Both partners visit any Miami-Dade Clerk office together.
- Show valid photo ID and Social Security numbers for U.S. citizens.
- Pay the $86 fee, or $61 with proof of a premarital course.
- Wait three days if you live in Florida. Skip the wait with a course certificate. Non-residents skip the wait.
- Receive the license, which stays valid for 60 days anywhere in Florida.
Who Can Officiate the Wedding
Florida Statute 741.07 lists who can officiate a marriage. Ordained ministers, judges, clerks, deputy clerks, and Florida notary publics can all perform the ceremony. Witnesses are not required by Florida law. The officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk within 10 days of the wedding.
How to Get a Certified Copy of an Aventura Marriage Certificate
Certified copies are official proof of a marriage. Banks, insurance companies, and government agencies require them. Aventura residents can order certified copies three ways: online, in person, or by mail.
Ordering Online
The fastest method is the Miami-Dade Clerk’s online portal at www.miamidadeclerk.gov/clerk/marriage-licenses-certified-copies.page. Pay with a credit card and the copies ship to your address. Most orders arrive in 5 to 7 business days.
Ordering In Person
Visit the main office at 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring a photo ID and payment. You will leave with the certified copy the same day.
Ordering by Mail
Send a written request with both full names on the marriage record, the date of the marriage, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Include a cashier’s check or money order for the correct fee. Mail it to the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts at the main office address listed above.
Public Access and Privacy
Florida law treats marriage records as public records under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Anyone can search and view basic marriage data. Social Security numbers are redacted from public searches. To restrict access, ask the clerk about the confidential request form under Section 119.071.
Florida Marriage Laws That Apply to Aventura
Florida marriage laws apply the same way across every city, including Aventura. Below are the main state rules that affect Aventura residents.
Marriage License Validity
A Florida marriage license stays valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. After 60 days, the license expires and a new one must be purchased. There is no grace period under Florida law.
Waiting Period and Premarital Course
Florida residents must wait 3 days after the license is issued before the ceremony can take place. Non-Florida residents skip the wait. Taking an approved premarital course within 12 months of applying also waives the wait and cuts the fee by $25.
Age and Consent Rules
Both parties must be at least 18 years old. Applicants aged 16 or 17 need parental consent. Applicants under 16 need a court order. Florida does not recognize common-law marriages formed after January 1, 1968, but does recognize ones formed before that date.
Aventura Marriage Records for Genealogy Research
Genealogy researchers often need older marriage records. Aventura is a young city, but older records exist at the county and state level for couples who lived in the area decades ago.
Records Before 1927
Florida did not start collecting marriage records at the state level until June 6, 1927. Any marriage in Aventura or Miami-Dade before that date stays only with the county clerk’s archive. Researchers must contact the Miami-Dade Clerk historical records division. Some early records also appear on FamilySearch and Ancestry.
Using FamilySearch and Ancestry
FamilySearch.org offers free access to many Florida marriage indexes. Ancestry.com charges a subscription but holds scanned images of older certificates. Both sites let you search by name, county, and year. Records are useful for building family trees and proving lineage.
Indexes by Florida County
Each Florida county keeps its own index of marriages. For Aventura, the Miami-Dade index covers all events from the early 1900s to today. For other counties, you can request indexes through the county clerk of court or the Florida Department of Health.
Replacing a Lost Aventura Marriage Certificate
Lost or damaged certificates can be replaced. The process is the same as ordering a new certified copy. Plan ahead because rush fees are higher.
Replacement Costs and Timeline
A standard replacement costs $9 for the first copy and $7 for each extra copy through the county clerk. State copies cost $5 and $4. Standard mail takes 5 to 10 business days. Same-day pickup is available in person at the clerk office for no extra fee.
When to Order a Replacement
Order a replacement when you need to change a name on a Social Security card, driver license, passport, or bank account. Insurance companies, immigration offices, and employers also require a certified copy for name changes.
Apostille and Verification of Aventura Marriage Records
Couples who move abroad or need to use a Florida marriage certificate in another country often need an apostille. An apostille is a state certificate that proves a document is real.
How to Get an Apostille
The Florida Department of State issues apostilles. The office sits at 500 S. Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399. The fee is $10 per document. Mail the certified copy of the marriage certificate with a cover letter and payment to that address. Processing takes 5 to 10 business days.
Record Verification for Other States
Other states often ask for a verified Florida marriage certificate. The county clerk can add a verification stamp at no extra charge. This stamp confirms that the clerk office holds the original record on file.
Florida Marriage Records by County
Florida has 67 counties. Each county clerk handles marriage records for its own residents. Aventura falls inside Miami-Dade County. Below are links to other major Florida counties for users who need records outside Aventura.
Nearby South Florida Counties
Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties form the South Florida tri-county area. Aventura sits near the Broward County line. Many Aventura residents also use Broward Clerk offices for convenience.
Central and North Florida Counties
Orange County covers Orlando. Hillsborough County covers Tampa. Duval County covers Jacksonville. Pinellas County covers St. Petersburg. Lee County covers Fort Myers. Polk County covers Lakeland and Winter Haven. Brevard County covers the Space Coast, including Melbourne and Cocoa Beach.
Contact Information for Aventura Marriage Records
Below is the full contact data for the office that handles Aventura marriage records. Save this data for in-person visits, phone calls, and mail orders.
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court
Overtown Transit Village South
601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900
Miami, FL 33136
Phone: (786) 469-2400
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Website: www.miamidadeclerk.gov
Map of the Miami-Dade Clerk Office
The main clerk office sits in downtown Miami, just north of the Overtown neighborhood. The office is near the Government Center Metrorail station. Parking is available in the building garage for a fee. Public transit, bus, and Metrorail are the easiest ways to reach the office.
Other Miami-Dade Cities Using the Same Clerk Office
The Miami-Dade Clerk handles marriage records for every city in the county. Below is a list of cities and towns that share the same office as Aventura. Each city uses the same fees, same forms, and same online portal.
- Miami
- Hialeah
- Miami Gardens
- Homestead
- Doral
- Miami Beach
- Kendall
- Cutler Bay
- Golden Glades
- Ives Estates
- Kendale Lakes
- Kendall West
- Country Club
- Fountainebleau
- Tamiami
- Richmond West
- Princeton
- South Miami Heights
- Westchester
- Coral Gables
- West Little River
- Miami Lakes
- Leisure City
- North Miami
- North Miami Beach
- The Hammocks
Frequently Asked Questions About Aventura Marriage Records
Below are common questions people ask about Aventura marriage records. Each answer covers the most important details about Florida law, county clerk rules, and the steps needed to search or order records. These answers cover the topics that search users want to know most.
How long does it take to get a certified copy of a marriage certificate in Aventura?
Standard mail orders from the Miami-Dade Clerk take 5 to 7 business days. Online orders arrive in the same timeframe. In-person visits give you the certified copy the same day. State copies from the Florida Department of Health take 2 to 3 weeks by mail and cost more.
Can I search Aventura marriage records for free?
The Miami-Dade Clerk online portal at www2.miamidadeclerk.gov/mlsweb is free to search. You only pay when you order a certified copy. FamilySearch also lets you search Florida marriage indexes at no cost, but you need an account and may need to view records at a partner library.
Are Aventura marriage records public?
Yes. Florida law treats marriage records as public records under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Anyone can search and view basic marriage data. Social Security numbers are redacted in online searches. Restricted access is available only with a court order or the confidential request form under Section 119.071.
What is the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate?
A marriage license is the paper you get before the wedding. It allows the ceremony to take place. A marriage certificate is the paper you get after the wedding. It proves the marriage happened. Certified copies of the certificate are what banks, courts, and government agencies ask for.
Can I get married in Aventura if I am not a Florida resident?
Yes. Florida allows anyone to apply for a marriage license, regardless of state or country. Non-residents skip the 3-day waiting period. The same $86 fee applies. The license is valid for 60 days anywhere in Florida, so couples can marry anywhere in the state.
How do I verify a Florida marriage for immigration?
USCIS accepts certified copies of marriage certificates from the county clerk or state vital records office. Order a recent certified copy with the raised clerk seal. For foreign use, add an apostille from the Florida Department of State in Tallahassee. The apostille proves the certificate is genuine.
What if the marriage record has a wrong name or date?
Errors can be fixed through the Miami-Dade Clerk. You must fill out an amendment form and provide proof of the correct data, such as a birth certificate or passport. A court order may be required for major changes. The amendment fee is $30 plus the court order cost.