Miami Beach City Florida marriage records are public files kept by the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court and the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. These records show when two people got married in Miami Beach, where the ceremony took place, and who officiated the wedding.
Anyone can request a certified copy for legal use or personal family research. This page explains exactly where to go, what to bring, how much it costs, and how to search online for old records.
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court Office
Miami Beach sits inside Miami-Dade County, so the county clerk handles all marriage records for the city. There is no separate marriage office on Miami Beach itself. All license applications, ceremonies, and certified copies go through the county clerk’s main office in downtown Miami. The office is easy to reach from Miami Beach by car across the causeway.
Office Location and Hours
The main Marriage License Bureau sits at Overtown Transit Village South, 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136. Doors open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The office closes on weekends and state holidays. Walk-ins are welcome, but couples can also book an appointment online to save time during peak wedding season.
Contact Phone Number
Call (786) 469-2400 to ask questions about marriage licenses, certified copies, or appointment booking. Staff answer calls during regular business hours. After hours, the clerk website has answers to common questions about fees, IDs, and waiting periods.
Six District Court Locations
Miami-Dade County runs six district court locations. Any one of them can process a marriage license application. The downtown office is closest to Miami Beach. Other branches sit in Hialeah, Coral Gables, North Miami, and South Dade. All branches use the same fees and rules.
How to Get a Marriage License in Miami Beach
Couples who want to marry in Miami Beach must first get a marriage license from the county clerk. The license lets any authorized officiant perform the ceremony anywhere in Florida. The process takes about 30 minutes if both partners come ready with the right papers.
Required Documents and ID
Both partners must show up together with valid photo ID. The clerk accepts driver licenses, passports, military IDs, state identification cards, alien registration cards, and naturalization certificates. U.S. citizens must also give their Social Security numbers. If either partner was married before, that person needs to know the exact date the prior marriage ended.
Application Fees and Costs
A standard marriage license costs $86. Couples who finish a state-approved premarital course pay only $61. The clerk accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. Personal checks are not accepted. The clerk can also perform the wedding ceremony for $30.
Waiting Period Rules
Florida law requires a three-day waiting period between getting the license and the ceremony. The wait applies to Florida residents who did not take a premarital course. Out-of-state couples skip the waiting period. Florida residents who complete a registered premarital course also skip the wait.
License Validity Period
A marriage license stays valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. Couples must hold the ceremony before the license expires. After the wedding, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk within 10 days. The clerk then files the record with the state.
Miami Beach Marriage License Fees Breakdown
The full cost of a Miami Beach marriage license depends on which services a couple needs. Below is a simple breakdown of every fee charged by the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court.
Standard License Cost
The base fee for a marriage license in Miami-Dade County is $86. This price applies to both Florida residents and out-of-state couples. The fee covers the license itself and standard processing at any clerk branch.
Reduced Fee with Premarital Course
Couples who present a certificate from a registered premarital course provider pay only $61. The course must finish within one year of the license application date. Florida Statute 741.0305 lists approved providers. Taking the course also removes the three-day waiting period.
Ceremony and Amendment Fees
The clerk can perform a civil ceremony for $30. Couples who want to amend a license after issue pay $30 plus a court order. Duplicate licenses cost $30 each. These fees stay the same at all Miami-Dade district locations.
Payment Methods Accepted
The clerk office accepts cash and major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. Money orders and cashier’s checks work for mail requests. Personal checks and debit cards are not accepted for in-person marriage license transactions.
Searching Miami Beach Marriage Records Online
Several online tools let people search for existing Miami Beach marriage records without visiting the clerk office. These free and paid search systems cover different time ranges and offer different levels of detail.
Miami-Dade Online Marriage License Bureau
The county clerk runs a free online search tool at the Miami-Dade Online Marriage License Bureau portal. The database covers records from 1971 to the present date. Searchers can look up records by name or by license number. Results show both party names and the exact marriage date. The portal works 24 hours a day.
Florida Department of Health Records
The Florida Department of Health keeps state marriage certificates from June 6, 1927 forward. The state office charges $5 for the first certified copy and $4 for each extra copy. State records can take longer to reach than county records because the county must send the data to the state first.
VitalChek Service
VitalChek is the official third-party vendor for Florida vital records. Orders placed through VitalChek cost $15 plus a $7 processing fee. VitalChek accepts credit cards and ships records by mail. For recent Miami Beach marriages, the county clerk is usually faster and cheaper.
Records Before 1971
Marriage records from before 1971 only exist at the county level in physical files. The state did not begin statewide collection until June 6, 1927. Records before 1927 may still be found through county archives. Researchers must contact the clerk office directly to access older files.
Ordering Certified Copies of Miami Beach Marriage Records
A certified copy of a marriage certificate carries an official raised seal and works for legal use. People need certified copies for name changes, immigration paperwork, Social Security updates, insurance forms, and passport applications. Three order methods are available.
Online Order Process
The fastest method is the online certified copies page on the Miami-Dade clerk website. Customers fill in the request form, pay by credit card, and receive certified copies by mail. Online orders process within a few business days. Shipping adds a few days for delivery to U.S. addresses.
In-Person Requests
Walk-in customers can visit the Marriage License Bureau at 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136. Bring a valid photo ID and basic facts about the marriage such as full names and the marriage date. Staff help complete the request form and issue certified copies the same day in most cases.
Mail Requests
Mail orders require a signed request form, a copy of valid photo ID, and a cashier’s check or money order made out to Clerk of the Courts. The standard fee is $9 for the first copy and $7 for each additional copy. Mail requests take longer to process than online or in-person orders.
Costs for Certified Copies
Certified copies from Miami-Dade County cost $9 for the first copy and $7 for each extra copy. If the marriage date is unknown, a $2 per year search fee applies. These fees match the rates set by the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics for state-level orders.
Florida Marriage Laws and Requirements
Florida marriage laws set clear rules about who can marry, who can officiate, and how the record gets filed. These rules come from Florida Statute Chapter 741 and apply statewide, including Miami Beach.
Who Can Officiate
Florida Statute 741.07 lists the people authorized to perform weddings. Ordained ministers, judges, clerks of court, deputy clerks, and Florida notary publics can all officiate. Out-of-state ministers may also officiate if they are ordained and registered with the county clerk.
Witnesses and Age Requirements
Florida law does not require witnesses for a wedding ceremony. Couples may still choose to include witnesses for personal reasons. Both parties must be at least 18 years old, or have parental consent and court approval if under 18. Minors need a parent present at the clerk office.
Recording the Marriage
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage license and returns it to the clerk within 10 days. The clerk records the license and sends the information to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. The full state recording process takes about 60 days to complete.
Miami Beach as a Wedding Destination
Miami Beach is one of the most popular wedding destinations in the United States. Couples travel from across the country and around the world to marry on the beach, in luxury hotels, or at historic venues along Ocean Drive.
Why Out-of-State Couples Choose Miami Beach
Beach backdrops, year-round warm weather, and easy flight access draw couples to Miami Beach. Many hotels offer full wedding packages with planners, photographers, and reception spaces. The county clerk office is just minutes away from the beach, making the license process quick and simple.
No Waiting Period for Non-Florida Residents
Couples who live outside Florida do not face the three-day waiting period. They can apply for the license and hold the ceremony on the same day. This rule makes Miami Beach a top choice for couples planning short destination weddings.
Florida Marriage Records by County
Marriage records across Florida are handled by each county’s Clerk of Court office. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics also keeps a central index of records from 1927 to present.
Major Florida Counties Clerk Offices
Large counties like Orange, Broward, Hillsborough, Duval, Pinellas, and Palm Beach each run their own marriage license offices. Each office sets its own branch locations and hours. The base license fee of $86 applies statewide, but some counties charge small extra fees for services like premarital course certificates.
| County | Clerk Office Main City | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | Miami | (786) 469-2400 |
| Orange | Orlando | (407) 836-2000 |
| Broward | Fort Lauderdale | (954) 831-4000 |
| Hillsborough | Tampa | (813) 276-8100 |
| Duval | Jacksonville | (904) 255-2000 |
| Pinellas | Clearwater | (727) 464-3000 |
| Palm Beach | West Palm Beach | (561) 355-2996 |
Statewide Marriage Index
The Florida Department of Health runs a statewide marriage index that covers all counties from 1927 forward. Researchers can search the index through the state office or through approved genealogy partners. The index helps people locate marriage certificates when the exact county is unknown.
Genealogy and Historical Records
People researching family history often need older marriage records. Florida keeps these records through a mix of state archives, county clerk offices, and partner genealogy websites.
Records Before 1927
Florida started statewide marriage record collection on June 6, 1927. Marriages before that date exist only in the county where the event happened. Researchers must contact the local county clerk or check archived microfilm at the state library. Some records also appear on FamilySearch and Ancestry.
FamilySearch and Other Resources
FamilySearch.org hosts free indexes and images of Florida marriage records. Ancestry.com and MyHeritage also carry large collections. These sites help researchers build family trees and connect old Florida marriages to other vital records like birth and death certificates.
Apostille and Verification Services
Couples who need to use a Florida marriage certificate in another country often need an apostille. An apostille is a state certification that proves the document is real and valid for use abroad.
When You Need an Apostille
Couples who married in Miami Beach and moved abroad often need an apostille for immigration, property, or family law matters. Countries that belong to the Hague Apostille Convention accept apostilled documents without further legalization. The Florida Secretary of State issues apostilles for vital records.
Florida Notary and Secretary of State
The first step is getting a certified copy from the Miami-Dade clerk office. The second step is sending the certified copy to the Florida Secretary of State in Tallahassee. The Secretary of State attaches the apostille and returns the document by mail. Processing takes about two to three weeks.
Miami-Dade Clerk Contact Details
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court operates the Marriage License Bureau that serves all of Miami Beach. Below is the full contact information for the office.
Official Website: https://www.miamidadeclerk.gov/clerk/marriage-licenses.page
Phone Number: (786) 469-2400
Address: 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common search topics related to Miami Beach City Florida marriage records. Each answer explains the topic in plain language and points to the right office or website for next steps.
How long does it take to get a certified copy of a Miami Beach marriage certificate?
Certified copies from the Miami-Dade County Clerk office are usually ready the same day for in-person requests. Online orders process within a few business days, with mail delivery adding extra days. State records through the Florida Department of Health take about 60 days from the original ceremony date before they appear in the state system.
Can anyone search Miami Beach marriage records for free?
Yes. The Miami-Dade Online Marriage License Bureau offers free lookups for records from 1971 to the present. Users can search by name or license number. Records before 1971 require a direct request to the clerk office, which may charge a search fee if the exact date is unknown.
What ID do out-of-state couples need for a Miami Beach marriage license?
Out-of-state couples need a valid photo ID such as a driver license or passport. U.S. citizens must also provide a Social Security number. The clerk office accepts driver licenses, passports, military IDs, state IDs, alien registration cards, and naturalization certificates from any U.S. state or territory.
Do I need a premarital course to skip the Florida waiting period?
Yes. Florida residents who finish a registered premarital course skip the three-day waiting period and pay a lower license fee. The course must come from a provider approved by the Florida Department of Children and Families. Out-of-state couples skip the waiting period without any course.
Can I get a Miami Beach marriage certificate apostille from the county clerk?
No. The county clerk only issues certified copies. Apostilles come from the Florida Secretary of State in Tallahassee. Couples must first request a certified copy from Miami-Dade County, then send it to the Secretary of State with the apostille request form and fee.
Are Miami Beach marriage records public or confidential?
Marriage records in Miami-Dade County are public under Florida Statute Chapter 119. Sensitive details like Social Security numbers are redacted. People who need a confidential filing must use Form 119.071, which seals specific information from public view.
Where do I find Florida marriage records from the 1940s to present?
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville holds all state marriage records from June 6, 1927 to the present date. Researchers can request records online, by mail, or through the county clerk where the marriage took place. Records before 1927 only exist at the county level and may need an in-person search request.