Merritt Island City Florida Marriage Records are official documents filed with Brevard County and the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. These records prove a marriage took place and are used for name changes, insurance, genealogy, and legal matters.
Merritt Island is an unincorporated community, so all marriage records go through the Brevard County Clerk of Courts, not a city office. This page explains exactly where to apply, how to search, what fees apply, and how to get certified copies in 2026.
Where Merritt Island Residents Apply for a License
Merritt Island sits in Brevard County on Florida’s Space Coast. The community borders the Indian River and the Banana River, just south of Kennedy Space Center. Because Merritt Island has no city government, residents must go to the county for all marriage business. The Brevard County Clerk of Courts runs two offices that handle marriage license applications and record requests.
Brevard County Clerk Office Locations
The Brevard County Clerk of Courts operates the marriage license office in two places. Both offices accept walk-in applications during regular business hours. You and your partner must appear together in person to apply.
- Titusville Office: 50 S. Nieman Avenue, Titusville, FL 32796. About 20 minutes north of Merritt Island via Route 3 or U.S. 1.
- Viera Office: 2825 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, FL 32940. About 20 minutes south of Merritt Island near I-95 and State Road 528.
- Phone: (321) 637-5413 for both locations.
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed on state holidays).
What to Bring to the Clerk Office
Florida law requires both partners to show valid photo identification at the clerk window. The clerk will collect personal details to write the license and forward the data to the state. Prepare these items before you go to avoid a second trip.
- A valid, unexpired photo ID for each person. Driver licenses, passports, military IDs, and state-issued non-driver IDs are accepted.
- Social Security numbers for both partners. The clerk records it on the application but removes it from public copies.
- Date and place of birth for each partner.
- If a prior marriage ended, bring the exact date it ended. This includes divorce, annulment, or death of a former spouse.
- Payment in cash or credit card. Personal checks are not accepted at the clerk window.
Marriage License Fees in Brevard County
The clerk charges a set fee for each marriage license. Florida law sets the maximum amount, and Brevard County follows it. The fee drops if both partners complete a registered premarital preparation course within one year of applying.
Standard License Costs
The base marriage license fee in Brevard County is $86.00. This covers the clerk’s processing and state filing. A reduced fee of $61.00 applies when both partners present a valid certificate of completion from a registered premarital course provider. The discount and the waiting period waiver make the course a strong option for couples.
Civil Ceremony at the Courthouse
If you want a Brevard County clerk or deputy clerk to perform the wedding at the courthouse, the fee is $30.00. The clerk office performs short civil ceremonies during business hours. Many couples use this option for a simple legal wedding before hosting a separate celebration with family and friends.
Certified Copy Fees
Certified copies of a marriage certificate cost a small fee per copy through the clerk. Contact the office for the current per-copy price. Each certified copy carries the official raised seal of the Brevard County Clerk and is accepted for legal use anywhere in the United States. The Florida Department of Health charges $5.00 for a state-issued search with one certified copy and $4.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
Online Search for Merritt Island Marriage Records
You can search marriage records without leaving home. Both the county and the state run online databases. Online searches work well for genealogy, background checks, and confirming whether a record exists before ordering a certified copy.
Brevard County Clerk Online Search
The Brevard County Clerk of Courts runs a free public records search on its official website at brevardclerk.us. Search by last name, first name, or date. The tool covers official marriage records filed in Brevard County. A basic lookup is free. A certified copy costs a fee, payable online or in person.
Florida Department of Health Statewide Search
The Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics keeps marriage data from 1927 forward. The state search covers every Florida county, including Brevard. A search with one certified copy costs $5.00. Additional copies are $4.00 each. The state office is based in Jacksonville, and turnaround time runs in weeks rather than days. Use this option when you need a state-issued certificate with a statewide apostille.
VitalChek and Other Online Vendors
VitalChek is the authorized online vendor for Florida vital records. The fee is $15.00 plus a processing charge, and credit cards are accepted. Copies ship by mail. VitalChek works well for people who live outside Florida and cannot visit the Brevard County courthouse. Local residents usually find the county clerk faster and cheaper.
How to Get a Certified Copy of a Florida Marriage Certificate
A certified copy carries the raised seal of the issuing office and is required for legal purposes. Insurance companies, immigration offices, Social Security, and courts ask for certified copies, not a printout from a database. Three reliable sources issue certified copies of Merritt Island marriage records.
Order from the Brevard County Clerk
The county clerk is the fastest source for recent marriages. In-person orders at the Titusville or Viera office can be printed while you wait. Online orders through the clerk website also work. For mail orders, send a written request with the full names of both spouses, the date of the marriage, and payment by check or money order. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return.
Order from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The state office issues statewide certificates for any Florida marriage from 1927 to the present. Order online through the Florida Department of Health website, by mail, or in person at the Jacksonville office. Each search with one certified copy costs $5.00, plus $4.00 per additional copy. Expect processing in several weeks. The state office is best when you need a state seal for an apostille or when the county office cannot find a record.
Order Through VitalChek
VitalChek processes orders online and ships certified copies. This service adds a processing fee on top of the state’s $5.00 charge. Credit cards are accepted. VitalChek ships by mail, and turnaround depends on the mail service used.
Marriage License Waiting Period and Validity
Florida law sets two time limits for every marriage license. The waiting period controls when you can marry after the license is issued. The validity period controls how long the license can be used before it expires. Both rules apply to Merritt Island residents who apply at the Brevard County Clerk.
Three-Day Waiting Period
Florida Statute 741.04 requires a three-day waiting period after the license is issued before the wedding. The clock starts the day after the clerk issues the license. The waiting period applies only to Florida residents. Visitors from other states skip the wait. A registered premarital course waives the wait for everyone, even Florida residents.
60-Day Validity Window
A marriage license is good for 60 days from the date it is issued. The wedding must take place within that window anywhere in the state of Florida. The county where the license is issued does not have to be the county where the wedding happens. If the license expires before use, the couple must apply again and pay a new fee.
Who Can Officiate the Wedding
Florida Statute 741.07 lists the people who can perform a legal wedding. Ordained ministers, rabbis, elders, judges, court clerks, deputy clerks, and Florida notary publics can all officiate. The state does not require witnesses. After the ceremony, the officiant has 10 days to send the signed license back to the clerk who issued it.
Processing Time After the Wedding
Records move through two offices after the wedding. The county records the marriage first. The state receives the data later. Each step has its own timeline.
County Recording
The officiant returns the signed license to the Brevard County Clerk. The clerk records the marriage in the county Official Records. The county indexes show the marriage within a few business days. Certified copies from the county are available right away once the clerk has recorded the document.
State Reporting
The clerk sends the data to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. State reporting takes about 60 days. Until the state processes the record, a statewide search through the Florida Department of Health will not show the marriage. The county has the record long before the state.
Apostille for International Use
Florida marriage certificates used abroad often need an apostille. The apostille comes from the Florida Department of State’s Office of the Lieutenant Governor in Tallahassee. The state processes apostille requests within several business days. Recent marriages that have not yet reached the state may need an apostille through the county records first.
Florida Public Records Laws and Marriage Records
Florida has broad public records laws. Marriage records fall under those laws and are open to anyone who asks. State law requires the clerk to redact sensitive data before copies leave the office.
Florida Public Records Statute Chapter 119
Florida Statutes Chapter 119 declares marriage records public. Anybody can request a copy. No proof of relationship is required. No legal purpose must be shown. The clerk must provide the copy after the fee is paid. Sensitive details, such as Social Security numbers, are removed from public copies.
What Information Appears on Public Copies
Public copies of a marriage certificate include the full names of both spouses, the date of the marriage, the county where the license was issued, and the file number. Social Security numbers and certain financial details are redacted before the copy leaves the office. Certified copies for legal use may include the same data with the official seal attached.
Who Can Order a Certified Copy
Anyone can order a certified copy under Florida law. The clerk does not ask for proof of relationship, a court order, or a notarized letter. Only the applicant, the spouse, a legal representative, or a person with a court order can request a copy that includes Social Security numbers or sealed information.
Marriage Records for Genealogy Research
Marriage records are a top source for family history research. Brevard County records go back decades, and state records go back to 1927. Researchers use these records to build family trees, confirm parentage, and find maiden names.
Brevard County Historical Records
Brevard County was created in 1855, but marriage records from the earliest years are sparse. The Florida Department of Health holds statewide data from 1927 forward. Researchers looking for pre-1927 marriages must check church records, newspaper archives, and county court records from the period.
FamilySearch and Ancestry Indexes
Free indexes on FamilySearch.org and paid indexes on Ancestry.com and MyHeritage pull from county and state filings. These tools help researchers narrow the search before paying the clerk for a certified copy. Indexes cover many Florida counties, but not all records are online. The Brevard County Clerk website has the most current local index.
Church and Civil Records Before 1927
Before 1927, Florida counties did not report marriage data to a central state office. Church ministers and county judges kept the records. Researchers tracing Merritt Island families must check Brevard County court archives and local church records for early marriages. Some of these records have been microfilmed and are available at the Brevard County Public Libraries.
How to Correct or Amend a Marriage Record
Errors on a marriage certificate happen. A misspelled name, wrong date, or clerical typo can be corrected. The Florida Department of Health and the Brevard County Clerk both handle amendments. The cost and process depend on the type of error.
Common Errors and How to Fix Them
Typographical errors on a marriage certificate can be corrected with a simple affidavit and supporting documents. Court-ordered changes, such as a legal name change after marriage, require a court order from a Florida circuit court. The clerk files the corrected certificate and sends the change to the Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Cost and Timeline for Amendments
Corrections filed with the Florida Department of Health cost $20.00 and take several weeks. County corrections are often faster and cheaper when the error is on the clerk’s side. Court-ordered changes take longer because they go through the legal system first.
Brevard County Clerk Contact and Office Details
The Brevard County Clerk of Courts is the main office for Merritt Island marriage records. Use these contact details for applications, certified copies, and amendments.
Brevard County Clerk of Courts, 400 South Street, Suite 1G, Titusville, FL 32780. Phone: (321) 637-5413. Website: brevardclerk.us. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed on state and federal holidays. Mail requests should include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment by check or money order.
Frequently Asked Questions About Merritt Island Marriage Records
The following questions cover the most common concerns about Merritt Island City Florida Marriage Records. Each answer uses current Florida law and 2026 clerk procedures. Use these answers to find the right office, fee, and form for your situation before you visit or order by mail.
Are Merritt Island marriage records public?
Yes. Florida law makes marriage records public under Chapter 119. Anyone can request a copy. The clerk removes Social Security numbers and other sensitive details before the copy leaves the office. Certified copies include the official seal and are accepted for legal purposes anywhere in the United States and abroad, often with an apostille from the Florida Department of State.
How long does it take to get a certified copy from Brevard County?
In-person orders at the Titusville or Viera office print while you wait if the record is on file. Online orders through the Brevard County Clerk website ship in a few business days. Mail orders take longer, depending on postal delivery in both directions. The Florida Department of Health takes several weeks for statewide orders through its Jacksonville office.
Can I search Brevard County marriage records for free?
Yes. The Brevard County Clerk website runs a free public records search. You can look up marriages by name or date. The search shows basic facts at no cost. A certified copy still requires a fee, but the lookup itself is free. FamilySearch.org also offers free indexes for many Florida counties, including Brevard.
What if my marriage is not in the state database yet?
Recent marriages can take about 60 days to reach the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. The Brevard County Clerk has the record much sooner, usually within a few days after the officiant returns the signed license. For marriages within the past two months, go directly to the Brevard County Clerk for a certified copy rather than waiting for the state to process the file.
How do I get a Florida marriage certificate apostille?
The Florida Department of State’s Office of the Lieutenant Governor issues apostilles in Tallahassee. Mail the certified marriage certificate with the apostille request form and fee. Turnaround runs in about 5 to 10 business days in 2026. Recent marriages that are not yet at the state level may need to be apostilled through the county recording first.
What ID do I need to apply for a marriage license in Brevard County?
Bring a valid photo ID for each partner. Driver licenses, passports, military IDs, and state-issued non-driver IDs all work. Expired IDs are not accepted. Both partners must appear together at the clerk office. Social Security numbers are part of the application but are removed from public copies of the marriage certificate.
Can I get a marriage license by mail in Florida?
No. Florida law requires both partners to appear together in person at the clerk office to apply for a marriage license. There is no mail-in application. Some Florida counties offer online pre-registration to speed up the visit, but the final step still requires both partners at the clerk window with photo identification.