Martin County Florida marriage records are official documents kept by the Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court in Stuart, Florida. These records include marriage licenses, marriage certificates, and ceremony details for couples who married in or near this Treasure Coast county.
Anyone can request a copy of a Martin County marriage record because Florida public records law treats marriage files as open government records.
The Clerk’s office in Stuart handles new license applications, civil ceremonies, recording of completed licenses, and certified copy requests. State-level marriage certificates for events on or after June 6, 1927 are also kept by the Florida Department of Health in Jacksonville. Older records from before 1927 sit inside county courthouse archives and are not filed with the state.
Martin County Clerk of Court Office
The Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court is the main source for all marriage record services inside the county. The office keeps license applications, signed licenses returned after ceremonies, and indexes that help the public find specific files. Most record requests start here.
Location and Contact Details
The Martin County Clerk’s office sits on the second floor of the Martin County Courthouse in downtown Stuart. The courthouse address is 100 SE Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, Florida 34994. The main phone line for the marriage license department is (772) 288-5576. Staff answer questions about new applications, certified copies, and recording of completed licenses during normal business hours. The clerk’s official website at martinclerk.com also lists forms, fee schedules, and online search tools.
Office Hours and Visit Tips
The clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office closes on state and federal holidays. Couples applying for a new marriage license should arrive at least one hour before closing because the application process takes time. Both parties must appear in person together, and no appointments are needed for standard license applications. Civil ceremonies require a separate appointment, and the clerk’s office staff can set a time by phone.
Who Can Get Records from the Clerk
Florida law makes marriage records public. Any adult can ask for a copy, even if the requester is not named on the license. People who commonly request Martin County marriage records include spouses getting proof for name changes, family members doing genealogy research, attorneys handling estate cases, and government agencies that need proof of marriage for benefits.
How to Get Married in Martin County
Getting married in Martin County starts with a marriage license application through the Stuart clerk’s office. Florida law sets the basic rules, and Martin County follows the same process as other Florida counties. The steps below explain what couples need to know before they apply.
Marriage License Requirements
Both people must show up at the clerk’s office together to apply. Each person must be at least 18 years old, or have parental permission and court approval for younger applicants. The clerk will check valid photo identification and verify that both parties can legally marry. Couples do not need to be Florida residents to apply in Martin County. A license issued here works for any ceremony held anywhere in Florida, as long as the signed license returns to Martin County for recording.
Documents Needed to Apply
The clerk accepts driver licenses, passports, military IDs, state ID cards, and alien registration cards as photo ID. U.S. citizens and legal residents must also share their Social Security number. If either person was married before, the exact date the last marriage ended is required. Divorce decrees, death certificates, or annulment papers may be requested for proof. The clerk will not keep these papers but may scan them for the file.
License Fees and Payment Options
The standard marriage license fee in Martin County is $86. Couples who finish an approved premarital preparation course pay a reduced fee of $61. This $25 savings comes from Florida Statute 741.0305. The clerk accepts cash, money orders, and major credit cards. A small service charge applies to credit and debit card payments.
| License Type | Fee | Waiting Period | Valid For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard License | $86 | 3 days (FL residents) | 60 days |
| Reduced Fee (with course) | $61 | None | 60 days |
| Out-of-State Couple | $86 | None | 60 days |
Waiting Period and Effective Date
Florida residents face a three-day waiting period after applying for a Martin County marriage license. The wait starts the day the license is issued, and the license becomes valid on the fourth day. The only way for Florida residents to skip this wait is to complete an approved premarital course and present the certificate at the clerk’s office. Couples where both parties live outside Florida do not face any waiting period.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
Florida Statute 741.07 lists who is allowed to perform a marriage ceremony. The list includes ordained ministers, elders in communion with a church, all judges, clerks of the circuit court and their deputies, and Florida notaries public. The Martin County Clerk’s office offers civil ceremonies performed by a deputy clerk for a $30 fee. Couples should bring a witness if they want one, but Florida no longer requires witnesses for a valid marriage.
Searching Martin County Marriage Records
Marriage records are public in Florida under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. The Martin County Clerk keeps indexes that help people search by name, date, and license number. Both online and in-person search options exist, plus mail requests for those who cannot travel.
Online Search Options
The Martin County Clerk website at martinclerk.com offers an official records search tool. Users can search marriage records by name, date range, and document type. Another online source is the My Florida County Records portal at myfloridacountyclerksoffice.com, which combines data from many Florida county clerks into a single search system. Both tools let users view record images for a small fee per page.
In-Person Record Requests
Anyone can visit the Stuart courthouse and ask the clerk’s staff for help searching marriage records. Public terminals inside the office let visitors search the county’s official records database at no charge. Printed copies cost 15 cents per page under Section 119.07 of the Florida Statutes. Certified copies cost a separate fee that varies based on the type of document.
Requesting by Mail
People who live outside the area can mail a written request for a Martin County marriage record. The request must include the full names of both spouses, the date of the marriage, and the type of record needed. A self-addressed stamped envelope and the correct fee must be included. The clerk’s office will mail the record back, but processing time can take two to four weeks depending on staff workload.
State-Level Certificates Through Florida Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health keeps state-level marriage certificates for marriages recorded on or after June 6, 1927. People can order these certificates online through the Florida Health website, by mail, or through VitalChek, the state’s official online partner. The state search fee is $5 for a one-year search, which includes one certified copy. Extra certified copies cost $4 each.
Order forms and payment instructions are available at floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/marriage-certificates. VitalChek accepts credit card orders for a $15 search fee plus a $7 processing charge. Mail-in requests through VitalChek usually take two to three weeks. The Department of Health office in Jacksonville handles all in-person state certificate requests.
Certified Copies and Apostille Services
Certified copies of marriage records carry a raised or stamped seal that proves the document is authentic. These copies are often required for name changes, immigration cases, insurance claims, and many other legal actions. Apostille services add a state-level authentication for documents used in foreign countries.
Certified Copy Fees and Process
The Martin County Clerk charges a separate fee for certified copies of marriage records. The current fee schedule is available on the clerk’s website or by phone at (772) 288-5576. A certified copy carries the clerk’s seal and a signature that confirms the record is a true copy of the official file. Each certified copy is a stand-alone legal document that courts and government agencies will accept.
Florida Marriage Record Apostille
An apostille is a certificate that proves a Florida document is real for use in another country that joined the Hague Apostille Convention. The Florida Department of State issues apostilles, not the county clerk. People who need an apostilled Martin County marriage record must first get a certified copy from the clerk, then send that certified copy to the Florida Department of State in Tallahassee. The standard fee for a Florida apostille is $10 per document, plus return postage.
Historical and Genealogical Records
Genealogy research on Martin County families often starts with marriage records. These files can list parents’ names, birthplaces, ages, and witnesses, which help researchers build family trees. Older records are harder to find but offer valuable details for historians.
Older Records and Archives
Martin County was created from St. Lucie County in 1925, so marriage records from before that year are found in St. Lucie County records. The Martin County Clerk’s office keeps original marriage books from the county’s earliest years in its archive room. Microfilm copies of older Martin County marriage records are also available at the State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee. Researchers can request copies from either source.
Genealogy Research Tools
Several free and paid services index Florida marriage records by name. FamilySearch.org, run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, hosts a large collection of Florida marriage indexes that cover many counties, including Martin County. Ancestry.com also has indexed Florida marriage records, but a paid subscription is needed to view full records. These online tools help researchers find the right county, date, and document number before requesting certified copies from the clerk.
Florida Marriage Laws and Statutes
Florida marriage law is set by the state legislature and applies to every county, including Martin County. Two key Florida Statutes cover most marriage record rules. Chapter 741 deals with marriage licenses and ceremonies, while Chapter 119 covers public records access.
Florida Statute Chapter 741 Overview
Chapter 741 of the Florida Statutes covers marriage licenses, waiting periods, who can perform ceremonies, and the recording of completed licenses. Section 741.01 lists the license fees and surcharges that go into the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Section 741.0305 creates the reduced fee for couples who complete a premarital course. Section 741.04 requires the sworn affidavit about age and prior marriages. Section 741.09 requires the completed license to return to the issuing clerk within 10 days of the ceremony. Section 741.07 lists who is allowed to officiate a wedding.
Public Records Access Under Chapter 119
Florida’s Public Records Law under Chapter 119 makes most government records, including marriage records, available to anyone who asks. Section 119.07 sets the rules for copying fees and reasonable access hours. Section 119.071 protects Social Security numbers and other personal data from public release. This means public copies of Martin County marriage records will have sensitive numbers redacted before they are released. Certified copies for legal use may contain the full information but require proper identification to obtain.
Martin County Courthouse Contact and Visit Details
The Martin County Courthouse is located at 100 SE Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, Florida 34994. The Clerk of the Circuit Court’s main phone line for marriage services is (772) 288-5576. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding state and federal holidays. The official website is martinclerk.com, which provides forms, fee schedules, and the official records search tool. The Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics can be reached at (904) 359-6900 for state-level certificates, and its website at floridahealth.gov offers online ordering through VitalChek.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are common questions people ask about Martin County Florida marriage records. Each answer covers a different topic, from license rules to certified copy requests. These questions reflect real user searches and the most frequent concerns raised by couples, researchers, and legal professionals.
How much does a Martin County marriage license cost in 2026?
The standard Martin County marriage license fee is $86 in 2026. Couples who complete an approved premarital preparation course within one year before the application date pay a reduced fee of $61. The fee structure comes from Florida Statute 741.01 and 741.0305. Payment methods include cash, money orders, and major credit or debit cards. A small surcharge applies to card payments. The fee covers the license itself plus a $25 Domestic Violence Trust Fund charge and a $2 application fee.
Can I get a certified copy of a Martin County marriage record online?
Yes, certified copies of Martin County marriage records can be ordered online through the Martin County Clerk’s website at martinclerk.com or through the Florida Department of Health at floridahealth.gov. The state-level route through VitalChek charges $15 for the search plus a $7 processing fee, and includes one certified copy. The clerk’s online portal also accepts orders for county-level certified copies. In both cases, the certified copy arrives by mail and carries the official seal needed for legal use.
How long does it take to get a Martin County marriage certificate?
Couples who marry in Martin County receive one free certified copy from the clerk after recording. State-level certificates through the Florida Department of Health take about 60 days to process after the clerk forwards the recorded license. Online orders through VitalChek can take two to three weeks for mail delivery. Walk-in requests at the Jacksonville state office may be processed the same day for an extra rush fee. County-level certified copies from the Martin County Clerk are usually ready within one business day.
Are Martin County marriage records public?
Yes, Martin County marriage records are public under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Any adult can request a copy, even if they are not named on the license. Public copies have Social Security numbers and other sensitive data redacted under Section 119.071. Certified copies for legal use may contain the full information but require valid photo ID to obtain. Most public record requests are processed the same day at the Stuart courthouse.
Where do I find old Martin County marriage records from the 1800s?
Martin County was created in 1925, so marriage records from the 1800s are not in Martin County files. Records from that era are kept in St. Lucie County, which covered the area before 1925. Researchers can also check the State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee, which holds microfilm copies of early marriage books from many counties. FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com have indexed many of these older records and can help locate the correct county and date.
What documents do I need to apply for a marriage license in Martin County?
Both parties must appear at the Martin County Clerk’s office together with valid photo ID. Accepted forms of ID include driver licenses, passports, military IDs, state ID cards, and alien registration cards. U.S. citizens and legal residents must share their Social Security number. If either party was married before, the exact date the last marriage ended must be provided, along with proof such as a divorce decree or death certificate. No birth certificate is required.
Do I need a premarital course to get married in Martin County?
A premarital course is not required to get married in Martin County, but it offers two clear benefits. Couples who complete an approved course pay a reduced license fee of $61 instead of $86. The course also waives the three-day waiting period for Florida residents. The course must be completed within one year before the application date through a registered Florida provider. Both in-person and online courses are available, and the certificate must be presented at the clerk’s office at the time of application.