Margate City Florida marriage records cover every marriage license issued inside Margate city limits since 1927. Broward County stores these records at the Clerk of Courts office in Fort Lauderdale.
The Florida Department of Health keeps a parallel statewide index. Anyone can request certified copies for legal use, name changes, immigration cases, or family research. Margate sits inside Broward County in southeast Florida, north of Fort Lauderdale. Couples who live in Margate must apply for their marriage license through the county clerk. This page lists office hours, fees, waiting periods, and the steps for ordering records in person or online.
Where Margate Marriage Records Start
Margate does not have its own marriage records office. The city is part of Broward County. All licenses, ceremonies, and certified copies flow through the county clerk. The state keeps a copy of each record on file through the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Broward County Clerk of Courts
The Broward County Clerk of Courts runs the marriage license counter at the Central Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. This office issues new marriage licenses, performs civil ceremonies, sells certified copies, and stores the original paper records for the county. Margate couples appear here to start the process. The clerk sends copies of new records to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville on a regular schedule. Records older than 50 years become open to the public.
Florida Department of Health Records
The Florida Department of Health runs the Bureau of Vital Statistics. This office holds the statewide index of marriage records from June 1927 forward. The bureau offers a statewide search tool, mail-in ordering, and access through third-party vendors. People who cannot reach the Broward clerk in person can order certified copies from the state office.
Getting a Marriage License in Margate
Applying for a marriage license in Margate follows the same steps used across Broward County. The couple must apply together, pay the fee, and wait the required time before the wedding.
Required Documents and ID
Both people must appear at the clerk office with valid photo ID. Accepted IDs include driver licenses, state IDs, passports, military IDs, and permanent resident cards. U.S. citizens also provide a Social Security number. Non-citizens can show a passport or visa instead. If either person was married before, the date and reason the last marriage ended is required. A signed divorce judgment or death certificate can serve as proof.
Costs and Discount Options
The standard fee is $86 for a marriage license in Florida. Couples who complete an approved premarital preparation course pay a reduced fee of $61. The course must come from a registered provider and finish within one year of applying. Civil ceremonies performed by the clerk cost $30 on top of the license fee. Cash and credit cards are accepted. Personal checks are not.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage License (no course) | $86 |
| Marriage License (with course) | $61 |
| Civil Ceremony by Clerk | $30 |
| Certified Copy of Record | $3 |
| Name Correction on Record | No fee |
Waiting Period and Course Waiver
Florida residents wait three days after the license issues before the wedding can take place. The wait does not apply to non-residents. The wait drops away when both people complete the premarital course from a registered provider. Active-duty members of the U.S. armed forces are also exempt from the wait. A notarized affidavit may be used to skip an in-person appearance in limited cases.
Validity of the License
A Florida marriage license stays valid for 60 days from the date of issue. Couples can marry anywhere inside Florida with the license. Once the 60 days pass, the license expires and the couple must apply again. Weddings outside Florida are not allowed with a Florida license.
The Ceremony and License Return
Florida law allows many people to officiate weddings. After the wedding, the license goes back to the clerk for recording. The clerk sends a copy to the state for the statewide index.
Who Can Officiate Weddings
Florida law lists judges, ordained ministers, clergy, clerks of court, notaries public, and certain religious leaders as authorized officiants. Notaries need a Florida commission. The officiant must sign the marriage license and return it to the clerk within 10 days of the ceremony. No witnesses are required by state law. Some online ordination services are accepted in Florida when the cleric files credentials with the clerk first.
Steps After the Wedding
The couple and officiant sign the license on the wedding day. The officiant returns the signed license to the Broward County Clerk within 10 days. The clerk records the marriage and adds a file number. A copy goes to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics for the statewide index. Certified copies can be ordered once the recording is done. Couples who need proof for a name change or immigration filing must wait for the state recording before the record shows up in state searches.
Searching Old and Recent Records
Three main tools help people search Margate marriage records: the Broward County online portal, the statewide index, and the paper archives at the Fort Lauderdale office.
Online Clerk Records Portal
The Broward County Clerk runs a free online portal that holds marriage records back to 1915. Users can search by last name, first name, and year range. Results show both spouses, the date of marriage, and the document number. The portal is open to anyone. No login is required for basic searches. The portal works for Margate records because Margate has been part of Broward County for the full span of the records.
Florida State Index from 1927
The Florida Department of Health keeps a statewide marriage index starting June 1927. People can search by name through the official site or through vendor partner VitalChek. A name search with one certified copy costs $5. Each additional copy costs $4. Records from before June 1927 sit in county archives only.
Paper Files at Fort Lauderdale
Older records and any record not yet uploaded to the online portal sit in paper files at the Broward County Records Center. The center sits on the same courthouse campus in Fort Lauderdale. Staff assist walk-in visitors during weekday hours. Researchers can request paper files for marriages that took place in Margate dating back more than 100 years. Some pre-1920 records are partially damaged and require careful handling.
Ordering Certified Copies of Records
Certified copies of a Margate marriage record come with a raised seal and the clerk’s signature. These copies are accepted for legal use. Three ordering methods are available depending on the timeline and need.
Walk-In and Mail Options
Walk-in customers can buy certified copies at the Broward County Clerk office in Fort Lauderdale. The cost is $3 per copy. Same-day service is common for records that already exist in the system. Mail requests require a written letter with both names, the date of marriage, the file number (if known), a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order for $3 per copy. Mail orders take 7 to 14 days.
Online Orders Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the official vendor for online orders through the Florida Department of Health. Customers can place orders through a secure web form. VitalChek charges a service fee on top of the state fee of $5 for the first copy and $4 for each extra copy. Most orders ship within two weeks. VitalChek orders cannot be used for records still in the 60-day county-only window.
Apostille for Foreign Use
A Florida marriage certificate used in another country needs an apostille from the Florida Department of State. The apostille proves the document is real for use abroad. The apostille office sits in Tallahassee. Marriage certificates without an apostille may be rejected by foreign consulates or foreign government agencies. Processing takes 5 to 10 business days for mailed requests.
Margate Records for Genealogy Research
Family historians use Margate marriage records to trace family lines, prove relationships, and link generations. Three main sources help: FamilySearch, Ancestry, and the Broward County Library system.
FamilySearch Database
FamilySearch hosts a free Florida marriage index with millions of records. The database covers most Florida counties from the 1920s forward. Records link to source images on microfilm or digital scans. FamilySearch is open to anyone with a free account. Volunteers index new records each year.
Ancestry Records
Ancestry.com carries Florida marriage record collections for many counties. Broward County records show up in the Florida Marriage Indexes, 1927-2001 collection. Subscribers can build family trees, save records, and link documents to people in the tree. Some collections are free inside the Broward County Library system.
Broward County Library Archives
The Broward County Library Main Branch in Fort Lauderdale holds local history books, cemetery records, and genealogy guides. Reference librarians help visitors plan research trips. The library offers free access to Ancestry Library Edition and Fold3 from inside the building. Microfilm readers are open during regular library hours.
Recent Updates and Common Pitfalls
Florida marriage rules and tools shift each year. New online features, fee changes, and processing times affect how people can reach the records office.
2025 and 2026 Rule Changes
In 2022, Florida allowed mail applications for some couples. One party must still appear in person. The clerk must verify identity through video or in person. The online portal added a name search tool in 2024. The 2026 fee schedule kept the same license cost. Certified copy costs rose slightly at the county level in late 2025.
Delays to Watch For
Certified copies of new Margate marriages take about 60 days to reach the state index. Couples who need proof quickly for immigration or name change should order through the Broward Clerk directly. Paper-only records may need a 5-to-10-day search at the records center. Online orders through VitalChek add processing time on top of the state production time. Holiday periods slow mail and walk-in service.
Margate Office Contact and Hours
The Broward County Clerk’s office handles all Margate marriage record needs. Walk-in service runs Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The office closes on federal and Florida state holidays. Phone lines open at 8 a.m. and close at 4 p.m.
Broward County Clerk of Courts
Marriage License and Records Division
Central Courthouse, Midrise Building
540 SE 3rd Avenue, Room 02460
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 831-7283
Official website: https://www.browardclerk.org/Divisions/Marriage
Office Location Map:
Common Questions About Margate Marriage Records
Below are short answers to common questions about Margate marriage records. Each answer lists what people need to apply, search, or order their documents. Use the office contact above for case-specific questions.
Time to get a certified copy from the clerk
Walk-in orders at the Broward County Clerk’s office in Fort Lauderdale issue certified copies in 15 to 30 minutes for records already filed in the system. Mail orders take 7 to 14 days from the date the clerk receives the letter. Orders through VitalChek take 10 to 14 business days. New Margate marriages take about 60 days to appear in the statewide index. Couples who need quick proof for immigration or a name change should order the certified copy straight from the county clerk rather than the state office. A rush service is available for legal needs. Walk-in customers can request rush service for an extra $10 per copy. Rush orders finish the same day for records filed less than 12 months ago. Older records on microfilm can take 3 to 5 business days to retrieve. Researchers must show a photo ID at the counter. Phone orders are not accepted. Email orders are not accepted. Online rush requests through VitalChek finish in 2 to 3 business days for an added vendor fee. All certified copies carry the same legal weight regardless of how they are ordered. The clerk prints each copy on tamper-resistant paper with a raised gold seal. The clerk signs each copy by hand.
Can I search Margate marriage records for free?
Yes. The Broward County Clerk online portal runs free name searches for records back to 1915. FamilySearch offers free Florida marriage indexes for most counties starting in the 1920s. The Broward County Library Main Branch offers free Ancestry Library Edition inside the building. VitalChek and Ancestry.com charge fees for full record access and downloads outside of those free locations. The Broward portal returns basic search results without a fee. Results show full names, the date of marriage, and the document number. Clicking the document number for a full image copy costs a small fee. Most researchers never need the image. Name-only results are enough for genealogy, family tree matching, and quick background work. FamilySearch images are free to view for any registered user. FamilySearch accounts are free to set up. The library branch in downtown Fort Lauderdale offers free computer time. Patrons can use Ancestry Library Edition, Fold3, and HeritageQuest on site. Library staff can pull microfilm rolls for visitors during operating hours. Free wifi covers the entire library. The library closes on Sundays and county holidays. Researchers who plan a trip should call ahead to confirm microfilm reader availability. Other genealogy libraries inside Florida offer similar free on-site access. Marriage records from Margate can be reached through any of these tools without paying a vendor.
Do I need an appointment for the marriage license?
No appointment is required. The marriage license counter accepts walk-ins Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The office closes at 3:30 p.m. sharp. Couples should arrive at least 30 minutes before closing to allow time for paperwork. Long lines can happen on Fridays and the day after holidays. Some private wedding venues inside Margate offer appointment-based applications through third-party notaries for an extra fee. Walk-in service runs first come, first served. The clerk assigns a number when the door opens. Number tags expire at 3 p.m. for new applications. Couples near the end of the number range may need to return the next day. The clerk issues license numbers one at a time. Each application takes about 15 to 25 minutes at the counter. Couples with all documents ready move faster. Margate couples with weekday work conflicts have limited options. Some notaries in Margate and Pompano Beach run appointment-based license service. The notary files the application with the clerk on the couple’s behalf. Florida law allows this as long as both parties sign in front of the notary at the time of filing. The notary keeps a copy of the signed application. The clerk mails the license to the couple within a few business days.
Can a non-citizen apply in Margate?
Yes. Florida does not require U.S. citizenship to apply. The applicant must show a valid passport, visa, or other government photo ID. A Social Security number is required for U.S. citizens only. Non-citizens may need a translated birth certificate if the document is not in English. Fiance visa applicants should bring their I-129F packet for reference at the clerk office. The clerk does not file immigration paperwork but issues the same Florida marriage license as for any other couple. Tourists visiting Florida can apply for a marriage license. Florida does not require state residency. The three-day waiting period does not apply to non-residents. The license costs the same for tourists, residents, and visa holders. Couples can marry anywhere in Florida with the license. Marriage licenses issued to non-residents are valid for 60 days. A tourist who plans to marry quickly can have a same-day civil ceremony at the clerk office for $30. Foreign-language documents must be translated by a certified translator. The translator signs a sworn statement. The clerk keeps the original translation on file. Marriage certificates issued to non-residents carry the same legal weight as those issued to citizens. Couples who plan to use the certificate in another country should request an apostille from the Florida Department of State. The apostille certifies the document for international use in countries that follow the Hague Convention.
Are pre-1927 Margate marriage records available?
Yes, for some years. Marriage records from June 1927 forward sit in the statewide Florida index. Records before June 1927 sit only in county archives. Broward County paper files hold marriages dating back to 1915. Researchers can request these files in person at the Records Center in Fort Lauderdale. Some pre-1920 records are damaged. Photocopies or scans may be the only option for older records. Pre-1927 records are not on the free online portal. Researchers must visit the Records Center in person or hire a local genealogist. The Records Center charges a small fee for copies of older files. Staff pull files within one business day of the request. Researchers should bring exact names and dates if possible. The clerk cannot search by partial names for pre-1927 records. FamilySearch holds microfilm copies of many older Florida records. Browsers can view the microfilm scans through any FamilySearch center. The Broward County Library Branch offers access to a FamilySearch affiliate center. Volunteers continue indexing older records each year. Researchers can search the FamilySearch catalog for Florida, Broward County. Some indexed entries link directly to the original record image. Researchers who cannot travel to Fort Lauderdale can hire a researcher to pull files by mail. Researchers charge fees per record lookup.
Documents for a Florida name change after marriage
A certified copy of the Florida marriage certificate is the main document. The Social Security Administration requires the certified copy, a current ID, and a name change form SS-5. The Florida driver license office requires the certified copy, the current license, and proof of Social Security name change. Banks, employers, and the U.S. Postal Service each have their own list of forms. Start with the Social Security Administration. SSA offices in Margate serve the local area. The nearest SSA office sits in nearby Fort Lauderdale. Bring the certified copy, a current photo ID, and the SS-5 form. The new Social Security card arrives by mail within 14 days. SSA does not charge a fee for the new card. SSA does charge a fee for replacement cards outside of a name change. Next, update the Florida driver license. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles office in Margate handles driver license changes. Bring the certified copy, the current license, and the new Social Security card. The new license issues on the spot. The fee is $25 for a license renewal with name change. Insurance, bank accounts, voter registration, and employer records need separate updates. Each agency has its own processing time. Couples should order two or three certified copies to cover all required submissions.
Can I use my Florida marriage certificate abroad?
Many countries accept a Florida certified copy as proof of marriage. Some countries require an apostille from the Florida Department of State. The apostille certifies the document for use in countries that follow the Hague Convention. Couples should check the rules of the destination country. Translations into the local language may be required. The Florida Department of State apostille office sits in Tallahassee. Mailing requests take 5 to 10 business days to process. The Hague Convention includes more than 120 countries. Member countries accept a Florida apostille without further legalization. Non-member countries may require consular legalization through the U.S. State Department and the foreign consulate. Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Japan accept Florida apostilles. China, India, and several Middle Eastern countries require additional steps. Marriages with a Florida certificate may need an attestation, a sworn translation, and a consular stamp. Couples living abroad who do not plan a trip to Tallahassee can use a Florida-registered expediter. Expediters file the apostille request by mail. The expediter charges a service fee. Some expediters offer rush service for an extra charge. Turnaround for rush apostilles is 2 to 3 business days. Couples should request an apostille before booking travel. Delays at consulates can take weeks. Plan ahead.