Fountainebleau City Florida marriage records are official files that show when two people married in or near Fountainebleau, Florida. These records include names, dates, license numbers, and county data.
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court holds these files for all residents of Fountainebleau, a census-designated place inside Miami-Dade County. People use these records to prove a marriage, change a legal name, trace family history, or settle legal matters. This page explains how to find, request, and use these records for any purpose.
Where Fountainebleau Marriage Records Are Kept
Fountainebleau sits inside Miami-Dade County, so the county clerk stores all marriage files for people who live there. The Florida Department of Health also keeps copies through the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Both offices serve the public with search and copy requests.
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court runs the Marriage License Bureau. This office issues new licenses, performs civil ceremonies, and stores signed certificates. It serves every city, town, and census-designated place in the county, including Fountainebleau. The main office sits at 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136. The phone number for marriage questions is (786) 469-2400.
The clerk office opens Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome during those hours. People can also book an appointment online to skip the line. The clerk handles licenses, amendments, ceremonies, and certified copies at this single downtown location.
Florida Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health keeps marriage records through the Bureau of Vital Statistics. State records start on June 6, 1927. Marriages before that date exist only at the county level. The state office handles requests from people who live anywhere in Florida or anywhere in the United States.
People can order state copies through the Florida Department of Health website at floridahealth.gov. The cost is $5 for the first copy and $4 for each extra copy. A third-party service called VitalChek also takes orders for a higher fee that includes shipping and processing.
Bureau of Vital Statistics Archives
The Bureau of Vital Statistics sits inside the Florida Department of Health. It collects marriage data from every county in the state. The Bureau builds statewide indexes that help people search across county lines. Genealogy researchers often use these indexes to find old marriages in different counties.
County clerks send new marriage records to the Bureau after each ceremony. This process takes about 60 days from the ceremony date. People who need a copy right away should order from the county clerk first.
How to Get a Marriage License in Fountainebleau
Couples who want to marry in or near Fountainebleau apply at any Miami-Dade clerk office. Both people must show up together at the same time. The clerk charges a fee based on whether the couple completed a premarital preparation course.
License Fees and Total Costs
The standard license fee in Miami-Dade County is $86. Couples who finish an approved premarital course pay $61. The course must be completed within one year of the license application. Florida Statute 741.0305 lists the approved course providers and the rules for the discount.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard Marriage License | $86 |
| License with Premarital Course | $61 |
| Clerk Ceremony | $30 |
| Duplicate License | $30 |
| License Amendment | $30 plus court order |
| First Certified Copy | $9 |
| Each Extra Certified Copy | $7 |
| Search Fee (per year) | $2 |
The clerk office accepts cash and major credit cards. Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express all work. Personal checks are not accepted for marriage services. Couples should bring a payment method that fits these rules.
Documents and ID You Need
Both people need a valid photo ID at the time of application. Accepted forms of ID include a driver license from any state, a U.S. passport, a military ID, a state ID card, an alien registration card, or a naturalization certificate. The clerk checks the ID to confirm identity and age.
U.S. citizens must give a Social Security number at the time of application. Non-citizens do not need a Social Security number but must show valid immigration papers. If either person was married before, the clerk needs the exact date the prior marriage ended. This date can be a divorce date or a spouse death date. The clerk does not require a copy of the divorce decree for the license itself.
Waiting Period and License Validity
Florida residents wait three full days after the license is issued before they can hold the ceremony. The three-day wait does not apply to non-residents. Couples who completed the approved premarital course skip the three-day wait.
The license stays valid for 60 days from the issue date. Couples must hold the ceremony within that time window. A license that expires needs a new application and a new fee. The clock starts on the issue date printed at the top of the license.
Searching for Fountainebleau Marriage Records Online
People can search Fountainebleau marriage records online at no cost. Two main portals cover this area. Each portal covers different time periods and holds different records.
Miami-Dade Online Marriage License Bureau
The Miami-Dade Online Marriage License Bureau at www2.miamidadeclerk.gov/mlsweb lets people search for free. The database covers marriages from 1971 to the present day. Users can search by name or license number. The portal runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Search results show the names of both parties and the marriage date. The portal does not show scanned images of the original certificate. For a copy with the official seal, people need to order through the certified copy process described later on this page.
Florida Statewide Records Database
The Florida Department of Health website holds statewide marriage records. State records cover marriages from June 6, 1927 to the present. People can search by name, date, and county. State searches cost $5 per record.
For older records before 1927, only the county clerk has files. Miami-Dade County records from before 1927 sit in paper archives. Call the clerk office at (786) 469-2400 to ask about older files and how to view them.
Free Lookup Options for Genealogy
Free lookup tools include the Miami-Dade portal and several genealogy sites. FamilySearch.org has indexed many Florida marriage records from across the state. Ancestry.com also has Florida marriage indexes and record images. Free accounts can view a limited number of records. Paid accounts open more detailed files.
Local libraries in Miami-Dade give free access to paid genealogy sites through library computers. The Miami-Dade Public Library system has genealogy research rooms with trained staff. These rooms help people search old marriage records without paying subscription fees. The main genealogy room sits at the Miami-Dade Public Library in downtown Miami.
Steps to Get Married in Fountainebleau
Couples who want to marry in Fountainebleau follow a clear process from start to finish. The application visit takes less than one hour. The full timeline from license to final certificate takes about 60 days.
Pre-Application First
Couples start by filling out the pre-application form on the Miami-Dade clerk website. The form asks for full legal names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, and address data. Both people fill out separate parts of the form. The form saves progress and lets people finish later if needed.
Submitting the form before the office visit cuts down on wait time at the counter. The clerk pulls the data when the couple arrives. This step is not required, but it makes the visit shorter and easier for busy couples.
In-Person Visit Steps
Both people visit any Miami-Dade clerk office together. They bring valid photo ID and Social Security numbers. They pay the license fee by cash or credit card. The clerk accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. Personal checks are not accepted for marriage services.
After payment, the clerk prints the official license. Florida residents wait three days before the ceremony. Non-residents and course graduates can marry the same day. The license includes the names of both parties, the issue date, and the expiration date.
Officiant and Ceremony Rules
Florida Statute 741.07 lists who can perform a marriage in the state. Ordained ministers, judges, clerks, deputy clerks, and Florida notary publics can all serve as officiants. The officiant signs the license after the ceremony and prints their name and title.
State law does not require witnesses for a valid marriage. Couples can choose to have witnesses for personal or religious reasons. The officiant returns the signed license to the clerk within 10 days of the ceremony. The clerk then records the marriage and sends a copy to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Certified Copies and Replacement Certificates
Couples and other people can order certified copies of Fountainebleau marriage records. Certified copies carry the official seal and are accepted for legal use. Banks, courts, insurance companies, and government agencies ask for certified copies for name changes and proof of marriage.
Online and Mail Orders
The fastest way to order certified copies is through the Miami-Dade clerk website at miamidadeclerk.gov. Users fill out a form, pay by credit card, and choose a shipping method. Mail orders work for people who live far from Miami. Mail requests need a cashier’s check or money order payable to Clerk of the Courts.
The clerk charges $9 for the first certified copy and $7 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. If the order does not include a marriage date, the clerk adds a $2 search fee per year searched. Mail orders take two to four weeks to arrive at the address on file.
Replacement Certificates for Lost Records
People who lost their original certificate can order a replacement. The replacement carries the same legal weight as the original. The process works the same way as ordering a certified copy. The clerk uses existing records to make a new certified copy with a fresh seal.
For marriages that happened recently in Fountainebleau, the county clerk has the most current files. State records take about 60 days to update after the ceremony. Couples who need proof right away should order from the county clerk instead of waiting for the state database.
Public Access and Privacy Rules
Florida Statutes Chapter 119 makes marriage records public. Anyone can view or request copies of marriage records in Miami-Dade County. Social Security numbers are removed from public copies to protect privacy. Sensitive data like medical records stay private under state law.
People who want extra privacy can ask the clerk about a confidential treatment form under Section 119.071. This form limits who can view the record. The form has its own rules and fees. Couples with safety concerns should ask about this option at the time of application.
Genealogy and Historical Records
Family history researchers often need old Fountainebleau marriage records. The records show family ties, maiden names, and key dates. Different time periods need different sources for the best results.
Records Before 1927
Marriage records before June 6, 1927 exist only at the county level. Florida started statewide record collection on that date. Paper records sit in county archives inside climate-controlled rooms to prevent damage and fading over time.
Researchers can visit the county clerk office in person to view old records. Staff helps people pull files from the archive room. Some older records have been scanned and added to online databases. Call the clerk at (786) 469-2400 to check if a specific year is available online before traveling to Miami.
Records From 1927 to the Present
Records from 1927 onward exist at both the county and state level. The Florida Department of Health indexes cover most years from 1927 to the present. Researchers can search by name, year, and county through the state website.
Online genealogy sites like FamilySearch and Ancestry have indexed millions of Florida records. These indexes help researchers find a marriage without traveling to Miami. For a certified copy with the official seal, researchers still need to order from the county clerk or the state office.
Other County Resources for Florida Marriage Records
Fountainebleau residents may need records from other Florida counties. Each Florida county has its own clerk office that handles marriages. The state has 67 counties, and each one stores its own files under the same state laws.
Major Florida Counties
Large counties like Broward, Orange, Hillsborough, Palm Beach, and Duval handle high volumes of marriage records. Each county sets its own fees and search tools within state rules. The state Department of Health website links to each county clerk website from one main page.
People who need records from another county should start at that county clerk website. Most Florida counties offer online searches for recent records. Older records may require a phone call or in-person visit to the county office.
County Clerk Directory by Region
The Miami-Dade Clerk serves cities like Miami, Hialeah, Miami Gardens, Homestead, Doral, Miami Beach, Kendall, Coral Gables, and North Miami. Broward Clerk serves Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and Miramar. Orange Clerk serves Orlando, Winter Park, and Apopka. Hillsborough Clerk serves Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace. Duval Clerk serves Jacksonville and the Beaches area.
Palm Beach Clerk serves West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Boynton Beach. Each clerk website lists the office address, phone number, and online search tool. People moving between counties can find their new clerk office on the state website.
Office Contact, Location, and Hours
The Miami-Dade County Marriage License Bureau serves all Fountainebleau residents. The office is the main contact for licenses, ceremonies, and certified copies in the Fountainebleau area.
Main Office: 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136
Phone: (786) 469-2400
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Website: www.miamidadeclerk.gov
Online Search: www2.miamidadeclerk.gov/mlsweb
Frequently Asked Questions
People ask many questions about Fountainebleau City Florida marriage records. The answers below cover the most common questions about cost, timing, access, and use of these records. Each answer reflects current Florida law and Miami-Dade clerk rules as of 2026.
How long does it take to get a marriage certificate after the ceremony?
The officiant returns the signed license to the clerk within 10 days of the ceremony. The clerk records the marriage and sends a copy to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. The full state process takes about 60 days from the ceremony date. Couples who need proof faster should order a certified copy from the county clerk, which is ready in about one to two weeks after the clerk receives the signed license.
Can I get a Florida marriage certificate if I married in another state?
Florida only issues certificates for marriages that happened inside Florida. People who married in another state need to contact that state vital records office. Each state has its own rules for issuing certified copies. Couples who lived in Florida at the time of marriage still need to order from the state where the ceremony took place.
Are Fountainebleau marriage records public?
Yes, Florida law makes marriage records public under Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes. Anyone can view the index or order copies of marriage records in Miami-Dade County. Social Security numbers are removed from public copies. People who need extra privacy can ask about a confidential treatment form at the clerk office. The form has rules and a separate fee.
What if I do not know the exact marriage date?
The clerk can search for a marriage without an exact date. The search fee is $2 for each year the clerk has to check. Customers can narrow the search by giving a name range or a date range. The clerk tells the customer the fee before starting the search. The search fee applies only when no exact date is given.
Can I order a marriage record for someone else?
Yes, anyone can order a marriage record in Florida. Marriage records are public records. The clerk does not require proof of relationship for a copy order. Customers must give the names of both parties and the year of marriage for the search. The clerk removes Social Security numbers from the copy for privacy.
Do I need an appointment to apply for a marriage license?
No, walk-ins are welcome at the Miami-Dade clerk office Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are available for people who want to skip the line. The online appointment system lets customers pick a time slot. Walk-in wait times depend on the day and season. Spring and summer tend to have longer waits.
What payment methods does the clerk accept?
The clerk accepts cash and major credit cards. Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express all work for marriage services. Personal checks are not accepted. Money orders and cashier checks work for mail orders. Online orders require a credit or debit card. The clerk does not accept cryptocurrency or mobile payments at this time.