Homestead City Florida marriage records are the official papers that show when two people got married in Homestead or anywhere in Miami-Dade County. These records are kept by the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court.
The clerk office stores license applications, signed marriage licenses, and certified copies that anyone can order. Homestead sits at the southern tip of Miami-Dade County, so all marriage paperwork for Homestead residents goes through the same downtown Miami clerk office that handles the rest of the county. People who live in Homestead get licenses, search old records, and order proof of marriage through the county clerk system, not through the city of Homestead itself.
How Homestead Marriage Records Are Managed
Marriage records in Homestead follow the same rules as the rest of Florida. The state of Florida gives each county clerk the job of issuing licenses, storing signed licenses, and sending copies to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. Homestead does not run its own marriage office. The Miami-Dade Clerk handles every step.
Where Homestead Couples Apply for Licenses
Homestead couples apply for marriage licenses at any Miami-Dade County clerk location. The main office sits at Overtown Transit Village South, 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136. Homestead sits about 30 miles south of this office. Couples can save travel time by visiting one of the six Miami-Dade district courts that are closer to Homestead. The clerk website lists each location with hours and directions.
Who Runs Marriage Records in Miami-Dade County
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court runs the Marriage License Bureau. This office issues licenses, files signed licenses after ceremonies, and gives out certified copies to the public. The clerk also sends every new marriage to the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics, which keeps a statewide index from 1927 forward.
Why Homestead Falls Under Miami-Dade County
Homestead became part of Miami-Dade County when the county formed in 1834. Florida law gives county clerks, not cities, the power to handle marriage paperwork. That is why Homestead couples use the county clerk office instead of a Homestead city office.
Marriage License Costs and Fees
The fee for a marriage license in Homestead is the same as the rest of Miami-Dade County. Fees cover the license, clerk time, and state recording costs. Costs can change, so check the clerk website before you go.
Standard License Fee in Homestead
The standard marriage license fee in Miami-Dade County is $86. This fee pays for the license itself and the clerk’s work. The license is good for 60 days from the day it is issued. Couples who do not marry within 60 days must apply and pay again.
Fee Reduction With a Premarital Course
Couples who finish a state-approved premarital course pay a reduced fee of $61. The course must come from a provider approved by the state. Florida law requires the course to be finished within one year before you apply. A completion certificate must be shown at the clerk office when you apply.
Costs for Certified Copies and Changes
Certified copies of a marriage record cost $9 for the first copy and $7 for each extra copy. If you need the clerk to search across multiple years because you do not know the exact date, there is an extra $2 fee per year searched. Changes to a filed marriage record cost $30 and need a court order. A duplicate license at the time of application costs $30.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard marriage license | $86 |
| License with premarital course | $61 |
| Certified copy, first | $9 |
| Certified copy, each extra | $7 |
| Year search per year | $2 |
| Duplicate license | $30 |
| Change to filed record | $30 plus court order |
Documents You Need to Get Married in Homestead
The Miami-Dade clerk asks for certain papers from every couple. Bring these papers to avoid delays or having to come back a second time.
Photo ID Requirements
Both partners must bring a valid photo ID. Accepted IDs include a Florida driver license, a state ID card, a U.S. passport, a military ID, or a naturalization certificate. The name on the ID must match the name on the application. If there is a mismatch, bring extra proof of the name change, such as a court order or marriage certificate from a prior marriage.
Social Security Number Requirements
U.S. citizens must give a Social Security number. Non-citizens who do not have a Social Security number can use a passport or other immigration papers instead. The clerk uses this number for identity checks. Social Security numbers are removed from public copies under Florida law.
Proof of Divorce or Death if Previously Married
If either partner was married before, you must show how that marriage ended. A final divorce decree, a death certificate, or an annulment order all work. The document must show the date the prior marriage ended. If a divorce was granted in the last 30 days in Florida, the clerk may ask for extra proof the appeal period has passed.
Search Homestead Marriage Records Online
Several online tools let you search Homestead marriage records. These tools cover different time ranges, so pick the one that fits the year you need.
Miami-Dade Online Marriage Search Tool
The Miami-Dade clerk runs a free online search tool at mlsweb.miamidadeclerk.gov. This database covers marriages from 1971 to the present. You can search by name or by license number. Results show both names and the date of marriage. Records before 1971 are not in this tool.
Florida Department of Health State Records
The Florida Department of Health keeps statewide marriage records from June 6, 1927 forward. You can order a state certified copy through the department website. The cost is $5 for the first copy and $4 for each extra copy. State records take longer to arrive than county copies.
Using VitalChek for Faster Delivery
VitalChek is a private company that works with the state and counties to deliver vital records. The fee is $15 per copy plus $7 for processing. VitalChek can ship faster than the clerk mail option. For Homestead marriages, the county clerk is usually faster and cheaper than VitalChek.
Order a Certified Copy of a Marriage Record
You have three ways to order a certified copy of a Homestead marriage record. Pick the method that fits how fast you need it and how you want to pay.
Order Online Through the Clerk
Order online through the Miami-Dade clerk certified copies page. Pay with a credit card. The clerk mails the certified copy to you. Online orders usually ship within five business days. This is the fastest mail option.
Order by Mail
Mail a written request to the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court, Marriage License Bureau, 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136. Include a cashier’s check or money order payable to Clerk of the Courts. Write the full names of both parties and the year of marriage. Mail orders take two to three weeks.
Order in Person at the Clerk Office
Go to the Marriage License Bureau at 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136. Bring a photo ID. Pay with cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express. Personal checks are not accepted. You get the certified copy the same day in most cases.
Marriage Waiting Period and License Rules
Florida law sets a waiting period for some couples. Knowing the rules helps you plan your wedding date.
Three-Day Waiting Period for Florida Residents
Florida residents face a three-day wait between getting the license and the ceremony. The wait starts the day after the license is issued. If you apply on Monday, you can marry on Friday at the earliest. The three-day wait does not apply to out-of-state residents. A premarital course completion also removes the three-day wait for Florida residents.
No Wait for Out-of-State Couples
Couples where at least one partner lives outside Florida do not have to wait. The license is good the same day it is issued. Bring proof of out-of-state residence, such as a driver license from another state.
How Long the License Stays Valid
A marriage license in Florida is good for 60 days from the issue date. If the ceremony does not happen within 60 days, the license expires and you must apply and pay again. The 60-day clock does not stop for any reason.
Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Homestead
Florida law lists who can legally marry a couple. Make sure your officiant is on the list, or your marriage may not be valid.
Authorized Officiants Under Florida Law
Florida Statute 741.07 lets these people officiate weddings: ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, other clergy, judges, retired judges, clerks of court, deputy clerks, and Florida notary publics. The officiant must be at least 18 years old. Online ordination is accepted in Florida, but the ordination must be real and the minister must follow the rules of their faith group.
Returning the Signed License After the Ceremony
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage license along with the couple and any witnesses. The officiant must return the signed license to the clerk office within 10 days. The clerk then records the marriage and sends the data to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. Full state processing takes about 60 days.
Historical Homestead Marriage Records
Old marriage records are kept in different places depending on the year. Knowing where to look saves time when you need older records.
Records Before 1927
Marriage records before June 6, 1927 exist only at the county level. The state did not collect marriage data before that date. For Homestead marriages before 1927, contact the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court directly. Older records may need a manual search by clerk workers.
Records From 1927 to 1971
State records exist from 1927 forward, but the county online search only goes back to 1971. For marriages between 1927 and 1971, order a state certified copy through the Florida Department of Health. The state index covers all Florida counties during this period.
Records After 1971
Marriages from 1971 to the present are in the Miami-Dade online search tool. You can view basic facts free. Order certified copies from the county clerk for legal proof. Most recent marriages take 60 days to show up in the state system.
Contact and Location Details
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court Marriage License Bureau handles all Homestead marriage records. Use the contact details below for license applications, record searches, and certified copy orders.
Office: Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court, Marriage License Bureau
Address: Overtown Transit Village South, 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: miamidadeclerk.gov
Online Search Tool: mlsweb.miamidadeclerk.gov
Common Questions About Homestead Marriage Records
Below are answers to questions Homestead residents ask most often about marriage records. These cover costs, timing, rules, and where to go for different services. The answers reflect current Florida law and Miami-Dade County clerk policy as of 2026.
How long does it take to get a marriage certificate after the wedding in Homestead?
After the officiant returns the signed license to the clerk, the clerk records the marriage. The county clerk can give you a certified copy right away. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics takes about 60 days to receive the data from the county and add it to the state index. If you need proof fast, go to the county clerk. If your paperwork must show state filing, wait at least 60 days before ordering from the state office.
Can I get a Homestead marriage record if I do not know the exact year?
Yes, you can. The Miami-Dade online search tool lets you search by name without a year. The clerk can also do a manual search across multiple years. The clerk charges $2 per year searched when a manual search is needed. Bring as much detail as you can, such as a date range or middle names, to keep the search fee low.
Do I have to be a Homestead resident to apply in Miami-Dade County?
No, you do not need to live in Homestead or even in Florida. Any U.S. citizen can apply in any Florida county. Many couples pick the county where they want to marry. The license is valid anywhere in Florida. Out-of-state residents do not have a three-day wait, which can speed up a Florida wedding.
What if my Homestead marriage record has a mistake on it?
If a marriage record has a wrong name, date, or other error, you can ask the clerk to fix it. A correction costs $30 and needs a court order unless the error is a simple clerk typo. Bring proof of the correct facts, such as a birth certificate or passport. The clerk can walk you through the paperwork at the Marriage License Bureau.
Is a Homestead marriage record public?
Yes, Florida marriage records are public under Florida Statute Chapter 119. Anyone can search the index and order a certified copy. Social Security numbers are removed from public copies. If you qualify under Section 119.071, you can file a Request for Confidentiality to seal your record from public view. The clerk has the form and can help you fill it out.
Can I use a Homestead marriage certificate in another country?
Some countries ask for an apostille on a U.S. marriage certificate before they accept it. The Florida Secretary of State issues apostilles. You send a certified copy of the marriage certificate to the Secretary of State with the apostille request. The Secretary of State adds a stamp that proves the document is real for use in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Treaty.
What is the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate in Florida?
A marriage license is the paper that lets you get married. You get it before the ceremony. A marriage certificate is the paper that proves you are married. You get it after the officiant files the signed license with the clerk. In Florida, the clerk gives you a marriage certificate as a certified copy of the recorded marriage. Most banks, courts, and government offices want the certificate, not the license.