Fruit Cove City Florida marriage records are public files kept by the St. Johns County Clerk of Court and the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Fruit Cove is a census-designated place in St. Johns County, north of St. Augustine. People living in Fruit Cove who need marriage records must work with county and state offices. This page covers how to find, request, and use marriage records for anyone who lives in or near Fruit Cove, Florida.
Where to Get Marriage Records in Fruit Cove
Marriage records in Fruit Cove go through two main offices. The county clerk keeps local records. The state office keeps records filed after June 1927. Each office has its own rules, fees, and search tools.
St. Johns County Clerk of Court
The St. Johns County Clerk of Court records every marriage license issued in the county. This includes anyone applying from Fruit Cove. The clerk also keeps old records from before 1927 on file at the courthouse. The clerk office is in downtown St. Augustine, about 25 to 30 minutes south of Fruit Cove via I-95.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics sits inside the Florida Department of Health in Jacksonville. This office keeps statewide marriage records from June 6, 1927 to the present. Records filed in St. Johns County move to the state file once the clerk sends them in. This process takes about 60 days after the ceremony.
Online Search Options
People can search and order records online through official sites. The St. Johns County Clerk website offers a free name search. The Florida Department of Health site lets people order state-level records. VitalChek is the third-party partner that processes online orders for the state office.
Marriage License Requirements
Before getting a marriage certificate, a couple must first get a marriage license. Florida law sets clear rules for who can apply, what documents are needed, and how much it costs. Fruit Cove residents follow the same rules as other Florida residents.
ID and Document Requirements
Both people must show up at the clerk office with valid photo ID. Accepted IDs include driver licenses, passports, military IDs, state ID cards, alien registration cards, and naturalization certificates. U.S. citizens also need to give a Social Security number. If either person was married before, they must give the date the last marriage ended.
Age and Eligibility Rules
Florida allows marriage at age 18 with no parental consent. People age 16 or 17 can marry with a parent’s written consent and a court order. Anyone under 16 needs a court order as well. Same-sex marriage is legal in Florida following the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
Fees and Payment Methods
The marriage license fee in St. Johns County is $86. Couples who complete a premarital course from a registered Florida provider pay only $61. The clerk accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. Personal checks are not accepted. The clerk charges $30 for a civil ceremony at the courthouse.
How to Apply for a Marriage License
The application process takes one trip to the courthouse. Couples can save time by filling out the pre-application form online before they go. Both people must be present at the clerk counter at the same time.
Pre-Application Process
The St. Johns County Clerk website has a pre-application form. Both people fill out their own parts. The form asks for full legal names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and prior marriage history. The clerk pulls up the saved form when the couple arrives at the counter. This step cuts wait time in half for most couples.
In-Person Application Steps
Both people must visit the clerk office together. The clerk reviews the pre-application, checks the photo IDs, and collects the fee. Both applicants sign the application in front of the clerk. The clerk then issues the license. The whole visit usually takes 20 to 30 minutes during slow periods and up to 90 minutes during busy times.
- Fill out the pre-application form on the clerk website
- Go to the St. Johns County courthouse together
- Show valid photo ID and Social Security numbers
- Pay the license fee
- Sign the application at the clerk counter
- Receive the marriage license
Waiting Period and License Validity
Florida residents face a three-day wait after getting the license. The wait starts the day after the license is issued. Out-of-state applicants do not face the wait. The premarital course waives the wait for Florida residents. Every Florida marriage license is valid for 60 days from the issue date. A license cannot be renewed.
The Marriage Ceremony in Florida
Florida law covers who can perform a marriage, who must be there, and how the license gets recorded after the ceremony. The rules apply to all couples, including Fruit Cove residents.
Who Can Officiate
Florida Statute 741.07 lists who can perform a marriage ceremony. Ordained ministers, rabbis, priests, judges, retired judges, clerks of court, deputy clerks, and Florida notaries public can all officiate. Online ordination is accepted in Florida as long as the minister has a record of ordination. Out-of-state officiants can perform a Florida marriage if they are authorized in their home state.
Witness Requirements
Florida does not require witnesses for a marriage ceremony. Couples can marry with just the officiant and the two applicants. Many couples still add witnesses for personal or religious reasons. Witnesses can be any adults who can confirm the ceremony took place.
After the Ceremony
The officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk within 10 days. The clerk records the marriage in the county system. The clerk sends the data to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. State-level recording takes about 60 days. Couples should keep their copy of the signed license until the certified certificate arrives.
Getting Certified Copies of Marriage Certificates
A certified copy of a marriage certificate is the legal proof of marriage. Banks, courts, immigration offices, and Social Security all ask for a certified copy. Fruit Cove residents can order from the county clerk or the state office.
Costs of Certified Copies
The St. Johns County Clerk charges $9 for the first certified copy and $7 for each extra copy on the same order. The Florida Department of Health charges $5 for the first certified copy and $4 for each extra copy. VitalChek adds a $15 service fee plus $7 processing for online state orders. The county clerk is usually the fastest and cheapest option for recent marriages.
| Source | First Copy | Each Extra Copy | Turnaround Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Johns County Clerk | $9 | $7 | Same day to 5 days |
| Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics | $5 | $4 | 5 to 10 business days |
| VitalChek (online state orders) | $5 + $15 fee | $4 + $7 processing | 5 to 10 business days |
Ordering Options
Three ways to order certified copies. Online through the county clerk website or VitalChek. In person at the St. Johns County courthouse. By mail using a signed request form with a cashier’s check or money order. Mail orders take longer because of processing and shipping time.
Apostille and Legalization
Couples who need their Florida marriage certificate for use in another country may need an apostille. The Florida Department of State issues apostilles in Tallahassee. The apostille proves the signature and seal on the certificate are real. Countries that belong to the Hague Apostille Convention accept this stamp. Other countries may need full legalization through the U.S. State Department and the foreign consulate.
Fruit Cove Marriage Records for Genealogy
People tracing family history often need old marriage records from St. Johns County. Fruit Cove became a recognized place in the 1960 census, so older records appear under St. Johns County. Many records go back to the 1800s.
Historical Records Access
Marriage records filed before June 6, 1927 stay only at the county clerk office. The clerk keeps bound volumes in the courthouse archive. Some older records are now on microfilm. The clerk office allows in-person lookups of these records during business hours. Call ahead to confirm the records are on site before traveling.
Online Genealogy Resources
FamilySearch.org has indexed many Florida marriage records from the 1800s and early 1900s. Ancestry.com and MyHeritage also have Florida marriage indexes. The Florida State Archives in Tallahassee hold older original records. The St. Johns County Public Library system has genealogy staff who can help with local lookups.
Contact and Office Details
Fruit Cove residents who need to visit the county clerk should know the address, hours, and phone number before they go. The St. Johns County Clerk of Court handles all marriage license applications and records for Fruit Cove.
St. Johns County Clerk of Court
4010 Lewis Speedway
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: (904) 819-3632
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Website: stjohnsclerk.com
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ section answers common questions about Fruit Cove City Florida marriage records. Each answer gives clear steps, costs, and contact details. The questions cover license rules, certified copies, genealogy, and out-of-state issues.
Can I search Fruit Cove marriage records for free?
Yes. The St. Johns County Clerk website has a free name search tool. Anyone can look up a marriage by name without paying. The search shows basic facts like the date of marriage, the names of both parties, and the license number. Ordering a certified copy costs extra. FamilySearch.org also has free indexes for older Florida marriages. These sites do not charge to look at the index, but certified copies still cost money through the clerk or state office.
How long does it take to get a certified copy?
The St. Johns County Clerk issues certified copies the same day for in-person requests. Online county orders ship within 5 business days. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics takes 5 to 10 business days for online or mail orders. VitalChek online orders also take 5 to 10 business days. Recent marriages filed within the last 60 days may not yet be at the state office because of the recording delay.
What if I do not know the exact date of the marriage?
The St. Johns County Clerk charges a $2 search fee for each year the clerk has to check if the exact date is unknown. The state office also runs name searches. A wider search range raises the cost. Provide as much detail as possible, like the full names of both spouses and a year range, to keep costs low.
Are Fruit Cove marriage records open to the public?
Yes. Florida marriage records are public under Florida Statute Chapter 119. Anyone can search or request copies. The clerk redacts Social Security numbers and other sensitive data on public copies. Confidential filings are rare and need a court order under Section 119.071.
Can I get married in Fruit Cove without a Florida license?
No. Florida requires a Florida marriage license for any ceremony performed in the state. A license from another state is not valid in Florida. Fruit Cove couples planning a destination wedding in another state must follow that state’s rules. Couples marrying in Florida must apply at any Florida county clerk office, not just the county where they live.
How do I correct an error on a Fruit Cove marriage certificate?
The St. Johns County Clerk handles amendments to marriage records. A court order is required for most corrections. Common corrections include spelling fixes, date changes, and adding a missing name. The amendment fee is $30 plus the cost of a new certified copy. Contact the clerk office at (904) 819-3632 to start the process.
What if I lost my marriage certificate years ago?
Order a replacement certified copy from the St. Johns County Clerk if the marriage took place in St. Johns County. Order from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics if the marriage happened anywhere else in Florida after June 1927. The clerk and state office keep certified copies on file indefinitely. Replacement copies are legal proof of the original marriage.