Flagler County Florida marriage records are official documents that show when a couple got married in this northeast Florida region. The records are kept by two main offices.
The Flagler County Clerk of the Circuit Court in Bunnell holds the original license files. The Florida Department of Health holds the state-level certificates from June 6, 1927 to the present day. This page explains who can request the records, what the records contain, how much they cost, and how to order certified copies through the mail, online, or in person.
Where to Get Flagler County Florida Marriage Records
People often need marriage records for name changes, genealogy work, insurance forms, or legal proof. In Flagler County, three places handle these requests. The local clerk office in Bunnell is the first stop. The Florida Department of Health in Jacksonville handles state-level certificates. A private vendor called VitalChek handles online orders. Each office has its own rules, fees, and turnaround times.
Flagler County Clerk of Court
The Flagler County Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the official record keeper for all marriage licenses issued in the county. The office is located inside the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center at 1769 East Moody Boulevard, Building 1, in Bunnell, Florida. The clerk office processes new license applications, performs civil ceremonies, and issues certified copies of older records that the state office does not have. Marriages that took place before June 1927 are only available through this local office.
Florida Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health runs the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. This office stores every Florida marriage certificate from June 6, 1927 to the current date. Flagler County marriages that happened after that date are filed here as well. The state office can send certified copies by mail or through its online partner. Most people who need a copy for legal purposes get it from the state office.
Authorized Online Vendors
VitalChek is the only online vendor the state approves for ordering Florida marriage certificates. The company works as a middleman between the customer and the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Orders placed through VitalChek are processed by the state and shipped to the buyer. The vendor charges extra fees on top of the state fee for its service.
How to Apply for a Marriage License in Flagler County
Couples who want to marry in Flagler County must first get a marriage license. Both people need to appear together in person at the clerk office. The clerk office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Walk-ins are accepted for license applications. The staff will help fill out the paperwork and answer questions about the process.
Who Can Apply for a License
Any two people can apply for a marriage license in Flagler County as long as both are at least 18 years old and not already married. Florida does not require either person to live in the state. Out-of-state and foreign couples can apply at the Flagler County clerk office. People under 18 need a parent or guardian present and a judge’s approval. Same-sex couples have the right to marry in Florida under the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
Documents You Must Bring
Both applicants must bring a valid photo ID to the clerk office. A driver license, passport, military ID, or state identification card all work. U.S. citizens also need to give their Social Security number. If either person was married before, the exact date the marriage ended is required. This means the date of divorce, death, or annulment. A certified copy of the divorce decree is not needed at the clerk office.
- Valid government photo ID for each applicant
- Social Security number for U.S. citizens
- Exact date the last marriage ended, if applicable
- Payment for the license fee
License Fees and Costs
A Flagler County marriage license costs $86.00 without a premarital course. Couples who finish an approved premarital preparation course within one year before applying pay only $61.00. The course saves $25 and also removes the three-day waiting period. Cash, money order, and most major credit cards are accepted at the clerk office. A civil ceremony performed by the clerk costs an extra $30.00.
Waiting Period and Validity
Florida residents who skip the premarital course must wait three full days after buying the license before they can use it. The three-day clock starts the day after the license is issued. Non-residents of Florida do not need to wait. The license stays valid for 60 days from the issue date. After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the clerk office within 10 days.
How to Search Flagler County Florida Marriage Records
Searching for an existing marriage record takes a few simple steps. The amount of information needed depends on the office. A full name and the year of the marriage is the most helpful starting point. Knowing the exact date makes the search faster. Older records that predate 1927 are only kept by the local clerk office in Bunnell.
Search by Visiting the Clerk Office
Walk into the Flagler County clerk office during business hours and ask to search the marriage index. The clerk staff can search by name and year range. The index covers all Flagler County licenses from the time the county was created. Copies can be made on the spot for a small fee. This method works well for people who live near Bunnell or want same-day service.
Request Records by Mail
Mail requests work for people who cannot visit the office in person. Send a written letter to the clerk office with both spouse names, the marriage date or year range, and a check or money order for the fee. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can mail the certified copy back. Mail requests usually take one to two weeks to process.
Search Records Online
The Flagler County clerk website has a public records search tool that covers many record types. The My Florida County Records portal also lets users search official records from multiple Florida counties at once. For certified copies of certificates from 1927 forward, the VitalChek website handles online orders 24 hours a day. Search results often show the license number, date, and names of the spouses.
Use Genealogy Websites
Websites like FamilySearch and Ancestry host indexes and images of Florida marriage records. These sites work well for genealogy research and older records. Many of the indexes are free to search. Viewing full images usually requires a paid subscription. The records on these sites come from courthouse books and the state vital records office. Researchers should still verify facts with an official certified copy from the clerk or state office.
Certified Copies of Flagler County Marriage Certificates
A certified copy is an official copy that has a raised seal, a signature, and the same legal power as the original record. Banks, courts, immigration offices, and government agencies all ask for certified copies. The seal proves the document came from the real record keeper. Plain photocopies are not accepted for legal use. The clerk office and the state office both issue certified copies of Flagler County marriage certificates.
State Copies Through Florida DOH
The Florida Department of Health issues certified copies of all marriages recorded from June 6, 1927 to the present. A search for one year plus one certified copy costs $5.00. Each extra copy of the same record is $4.00. Orders can be placed by mail, online through VitalChek, or by visiting the Jacksonville office. The state charges the same fee for Flagler County records as for any other Florida county.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| One-year search plus one certified copy | $5.00 |
| Each additional certified copy | $4.00 |
| Online processing through VitalChek | $7.00 |
| State fee through VitalChek | $15.00 |
Local Copies Through the Clerk
The Flagler County clerk office in Bunnell issues certified copies for all marriages that took place in the county. This includes records before June 1927 and any record the clerk still has on file. The fee for a certified copy at the local level is set by Florida Statute. Plain paper copies are capped at 15 cents per page. Most requests for older Flagler County marriages go through this office since the state office does not have them.
Apostille for Foreign Use
People who need to use a Florida marriage certificate in another country often need an apostille. An apostille is a certificate the Florida Secretary of State attaches to a document to prove it is real for use in countries that joined the Hague Convention. The apostille goes on top of a certified copy. The Secretary of State charges a fee for this service. The Florida Department of State in Tallahassee handles apostille requests by mail and in person.
Flagler County Florida Marriage Records Laws and Access Rules
Florida has strong public records laws that make most government documents open to everyone. Marriage records fall under these rules. The clerk office must let any member of the public inspect and copy marriage records without asking why. Some private details are removed before records are released. Knowing the law helps people understand what they can and cannot get from the clerk office.
Florida Public Records Act
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives every person the right to inspect and copy public records. Marriage licenses and certificates are public records. The clerk office must allow access during normal business hours. The clerk may charge a fee to cover the cost of copying. Section 119.07 sets the maximum fee for plain paper copies at 15 cents per page.
Private Information Removed
Section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes lists the types of information that get removed from public copies. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers are blocked from view. Names of minors in some adoption records are also protected. Marriage records do not usually have these private details on the public version. The clerk office removes any sensitive data before releasing a copy.
Who May Request Records
Anyone can request a Flagler County marriage record. The applicant does not need to be related to the people named on the record. The clerk office does not ask for proof of relationship or a reason for the request. People who want their own record often bring a photo ID to speed up the process. Genealogists, lawyers, and title searchers all have the same right to the records.
Costs, Time, and Payment Methods
The cost of a marriage record in Flagler County depends on where it comes from and how it is ordered. Local copies from the clerk office have one fee schedule. State copies from the Florida Department of Health have another. Online orders through VitalChek add vendor fees. Processing time ranges from same-day at the clerk counter to several weeks for mail orders.
Fee Schedule for Flagler County
The clerk office charges a base fee under Section 119.07 of the Florida Statutes. Plain copies are 15 cents per page. Certified copies carry a $1 base fee plus any extra certification fee the clerk sets. The clerk office can accept cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards for in-person orders. Mail orders should include a check or money order to avoid delays.
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage license without course | $86.00 |
| Marriage license with course | $61.00 |
| Civil ceremony by clerk | $30.00 |
| Certified copy at clerk office | $1.00 base + fee |
| Plain copy per page | $0.15 |
How Long Requests Take
In-person requests at the Flagler County clerk office are often finished the same day. Mail requests take one to two weeks for processing plus mail time. Online orders through VitalChek ship within five to seven business days after the state processes the request. Rush shipping is available for an extra charge. The state office in Jacksonville processes mail orders in the order received.
Accepted Payment Types
The Flagler County clerk office accepts cash, personal checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards for in-person service. A convenience fee may apply to card payments. Mail requests should include a check or money order made out to the Flagler County Clerk of Court. VitalChek accepts all major credit cards and debit cards for online orders. The state office in Jacksonville accepts the same payment types.
Contact Information and Office Locations
Two offices handle Flagler County Florida marriage records. The local clerk office in Bunnell handles license applications and older records. The state office in Jacksonville handles certificates from June 1927 forward. The hours and phone numbers below were checked in 2026. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.
Flagler County Clerk Office Details
The Flagler County Clerk of the Circuit Court sits inside the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center. The building is at 1769 East Moody Boulevard, Building 1, Bunnell, Florida 32110. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The phone number for the clerk office is (386) 313-4400. The official website is flaglerclerk.com. Visitors can park in the lot outside the building. The office handles marriage license applications, civil ceremonies, and record requests.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Department of Health runs the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. The mailing address is P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, Florida 32231-0042. Walk-in customers can visit 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The phone number is (904) 359-6900. The website is floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/marriage-certificates. Online orders go through VitalChek at vitalchek.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers the most common questions people ask about Flagler County Florida marriage records. Each answer gives clear steps and the latest fees. The information is based on Florida law and the rules set by the clerk office and the Florida Department of Health. Call the office directly for questions about a specific record.
How far back do Flagler County marriage records go?
Flagler County was created in 1917 from parts of Volusia and St. Johns counties. Marriage records from the time the county was formed are still on file at the clerk office in Bunnell. The Florida Department of Health holds state-level certificates from June 6, 1927 forward. Records from before 1917 in the Flagler County area would be filed in Volusia or St. Johns counties. People searching for very old records may need to check those neighboring counties. The clerk staff can help point researchers in the right direction for early Flagler County records.
Can I get a Flagler County marriage record online?
Yes, certified copies of Flagler County marriage certificates can be ordered online through VitalChek. VitalChek is the only vendor the Florida Department of Health approves for online orders. A search plus one certified copy through VitalChek costs $15 for the state fee and $7 for the vendor fee. Orders are processed by the state office and shipped to the buyer. The Flagler County clerk website also has a public records search tool that lets users look up case information without a certified copy.
What if I do not know the exact marriage date?
The clerk office and the state office can search records using a range of years when the exact date is unknown. A one-year search costs $5 at the state level. Each extra year adds $4 to the search fee. The clerk office staff can search by name and date range using the local index. People with only a partial name or year can still request a search. A full name and a year range gives the office the most to work with. The search returns either a record or a statement that no record was found in the range.
Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to apply for a marriage license?
No, Florida does not require U.S. citizenship to get a marriage license in Flagler County. Tourists, foreign visitors, and non-citizens can apply at the clerk office. A valid passport serves as a photo ID for people without a U.S. driver license. The Social Security number rule applies only to U.S. citizens. Foreign nationals without a Social Security number can still apply. The clerk office does not ask about immigration status during the application process.
How long is a Flagler County marriage license valid?
A Flagler County marriage license stays valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. The couple must hold the ceremony within that window. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk office within 10 days. The clerk office records the completed license and forwards it to the state. A license that expires without a ceremony does not get a refund. Couples must apply for a new license if the old one runs out.
What is the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate?
A marriage license is the legal paper the couple gets before the wedding. It shows the clerk approved the marriage. A marriage certificate is the paper the clerk files after the wedding. The certificate shows the marriage happened and has the officiant’s signature. People often need the certificate as proof of marriage for name changes, insurance, and immigration. The license is more of a permission slip. The certificate is the proof.
Can I use a Flagler County marriage certificate in another country?
Yes, a Flagler County marriage certificate works in other countries after the right steps. Many countries need an apostille attached to the certified copy. An apostille is a stamp from the Florida Secretary of State that proves the document is real. The Secretary of State charges a fee for the apostille. Countries that are not part of the Hague Convention may need a different process called authentication. People should check with the embassy of the destination country before sending documents.