>Miami Dade County Florida Marriage Records
Miami Dade County Florida marriage records are public files that show every marriage license and certificate issued inside the county. The Clerk of Court and Comptroller keeps these records at the Marriage License Bureau in Miami. Records from 1971 to today can be searched online for free. Older records can only be viewed in person or by mail. This page covers how to search, order, replace, and verify marriage records in Miami Dade County and across the State of Florida.
Miami Dade County Clerk Marriage Records
The Clerk of Court and Comptroller runs the Marriage License Bureau for all of Miami Dade County. This office handles applications, ceremonies, certified copies, and the official record book. Records from this office act as the main source for any marriage that took place inside county borders.
Marriage License Bureau Location and Hours
The main office sits at Overtown Transit Village South, 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Six district court locations across the county also issue licenses. Both walk-ins and appointments work at every site. The clerk phone line for questions is (786) 469-2400.
Who Can Apply for a Marriage License
Any two adults can apply for a license in Miami Dade County. Florida law does not require residency or citizenship. Both people must show up in person at the same time. Each person must sign an affidavit under Florida Statute 741.04. The Family Law Handbook from the Florida Bar must be read before the appointment. It comes in English, Spanish, and Creole.
Documents and ID Requirements
Each applicant needs a valid photo ID. The clerk accepts a driver license from any state, a U.S. passport, military ID, alien registration card, state ID card, or a naturalization certificate. U.S. citizens and residents must share a Social Security number. If either party was married before, the exact date of the last divorce, death, or annulment is required. For Miami Dade divorces, the Family Online Case Search gives the final judgment date.
Florida Statute 741 Compliance
Florida Statute Chapter 741 controls every marriage in the state. Section 741.04 sets the affidavit rule. Section 741.0305 covers premarital courses. Section 741.07 lists who can perform a wedding. Section 741.09 requires the clerk to keep an exact record of each license. Miami Dade County follows all of these rules for every marriage record.
Marriage License Fees in Miami Dade County
The cost of a marriage license in Miami Dade County depends on course completion and the number of certified copies needed. Fees are set by Florida law and the clerk office. All fees are paid to the Clerk of the Courts.
Standard License Cost
A standard marriage license costs $86 in Miami Dade County. This fee applies when no premarital course is shown. A separate $30 ceremony fee covers civil weddings held at the clerk office. Florida residents must wait three days before the license is valid. Non-residents skip the wait.
Premarital Course Discount
Couples who finish an approved premarital course pay $61 instead of $86. The course also removes the three-day wait for Florida residents. The course must come from a registered provider listed by the clerk. It must be finished within one year of the application date. A signed certificate of completion is brought to the clerk office.
Certified Copy Fees
Certified copies of a Miami Dade marriage license cost $9 for the first copy and $7 for each extra copy. If the marriage year is unknown, a $2 search fee is added per year searched. A duplicate license costs $30. An amendment needs a court order and a $30 fee. Mail orders only take cashier’s checks or money orders payable to Clerk of the Courts.
Payment Methods Accepted
The clerk office accepts cash, Visa, Discover, Mastercard, American Express, cashier’s checks, and money orders in person. Online payments take Visa, Discover, Mastercard, and American Express. Personal checks are not accepted at any Miami Dade clerk location for marriage license services.
Search Miami Dade Marriage Records Online
The Miami Dade online marriage search portal is one of the strongest county-level search tools in Florida. Anyone can use it to look up a license by name or by license number. The portal runs all day and all night. Viewing search results costs nothing.
Online Marriage License Bureau Portal
The portal at the clerk website holds marriage license data from 1971 to the present. It shows both party names and the marriage date. Each entry links to a certified copy order page. Credit card payment is accepted right in the portal. Most orders ship within five business days.
Search by Name and License Number
Users can search by last name and first name for either spouse. A known license number gives the fastest lookup. Results show the date the license was issued and the date the marriage was recorded. Some older entries only show the license date if the ceremony record has not been returned yet.
Public Records Access Under Florida Law
Under Florida Statute Chapter 119, marriage records are public. Section 119.07 says the record holder must let any person inspect or copy public records at any reasonable time. Sensitive data like Social Security numbers is redacted. A Request for Confidentiality form is available for those who qualify under Section 119.071.
Order Certified Copies Online
Certified copies can be ordered right from the search results screen. The clerk certified copies page accepts credit card payment. Copies are mailed to the address on file. Tracking numbers are sent by email once the order ships.
How to Get Certified Marriage Certificate Copies
Three main ways exist to get a certified copy of a Miami Dade marriage certificate. Each method works for different needs and time frames. All copies come from the Clerk of Court unless the marriage happened in another Florida county.
In Person Requests
Walk in to the Marriage License Bureau at 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami. Bring a valid photo ID. Pay the certified copy fee by cash, card, cashier’s check, or money order. Most in person requests are filled the same day. A small wait time may apply during peak hours.
Mail Requests
Mail a written request to the Marriage License Bureau at 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136. Include a cashier’s check or money order, a copy of a valid photo ID, and the names of both spouses plus the year of marriage. Mail orders take about two to four weeks to arrive.
Processing Timeline After Ceremony
The signed license must come back to the clerk within 10 days after the wedding. The clerk then records it in the official book. After that, the data is sent to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. This whole process takes about 60 days. Newlyweds who need proof right away should request it from the clerk rather than the state.
Replacement for Lost Certificates
A lost marriage certificate can be replaced through the clerk or the state. The clerk helps with Miami Dade marriages. The Bureau of Vital Statistics helps with any Florida marriage from June 6, 1927 to today. Both offices issue certified copies that hold the same legal weight as the original.
Florida Statewide Marriage Records
The State of Florida keeps marriage records from June 6, 1927 to the present. The Bureau of Vital Statistics runs this archive. The Florida Department of Health oversees the office. State records cover marriages from all 67 counties.
Bureau of Vital Statistics Role
The Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps a statewide marriage index. Each county clerk sends new data to the bureau after a marriage is recorded. The bureau then issues certified copies on request. Phone support is open Monday through Friday at (904) 359-6900.
Florida Department of Health Records
The Florida Department of Health runs the vital records office in Jacksonville. Mail requests can be sent to the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. Online orders are placed through the state vital records website. Standard processing takes five to ten business days. Rush service is available for an extra fee.
Records Before June 1927
Marriage records before June 6, 1927 are not in the state system. These older records stay only at the county clerk office where the marriage license was issued. Miami Dade County has paper books going back to the early 1900s. Researchers must visit the clerk office in person to see these files.
Apostille for International Use
A Florida marriage certificate can be used outside the United States with an apostille. The Florida Department of State issues apostilles in Tallahassee. The apostille goes on top of the certified copy from the clerk or the state. Mail orders are accepted. The fee is set by state rule each year.
Miami Dade Marriage Records for Genealogy
Genealogy researchers use Miami Dade marriage records to trace family lines. The records show full names, ages, and the marriage date. They can link spouses and children to past census data. Local archives and online indexes both help build a family tree.
Florida Marriage Index
The statewide Florida marriage index covers June 1927 to the present. It lists every recorded marriage in the state. Researchers can search by name. The index is held by the Bureau of Vital Statistics and by FamilySearch. The index helps find the county of issue before ordering a full copy.
Historical Archive Access
Miami Dade historical records sit at the clerk office and at the HistoryMiami Museum. The clerk holds paper marriage license books from the 1900s onward. HistoryMiami keeps church and civil records that go back further. Researchers should call ahead to set up a viewing time.
FamilySearch and Third Party Databases
FamilySearch has scanned many Florida marriage records from county courthouses. The site is free with a free account. Ancestry and MyHeritage also hold Florida marriage indexes. These third party databases help confirm a marriage before paying for a certified copy.
Spousal Name Search
A spousal search checks if a person has an existing marriage on file. The Miami Dade online portal lets anyone run this check by name. This helps with legal cases, name change requests, and genealogy. Results only show marriages recorded inside Miami Dade County.
Marriage License Application Process
Florida law sets a clear process for every marriage license. Miami Dade County follows the same steps for all couples. The process can be done in about an hour for most applicants.
Online Pre-Application Step
The Miami Dade clerk now requires an online pre-application before the office visit. Both parties fill out the form on the clerk website. The form asks for full legal names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, and the last marriage end date if any. A confirmation number is shown at the end.
Waiting Period Rules
Florida residents wait three days after the clerk visit before the license is valid. The wait does not apply to non-residents. A valid premarital course certificate removes the wait for residents. The license expires 60 days after it is issued. It can be used anywhere in Florida.
License Validity and Ceremony Rules
Under Section 741.07, an ordained minister, a judge, a clerk or deputy clerk, or a Florida notary public can perform the ceremony. No witnesses are required by Florida law. The officiant signs the license after the ceremony. The couple is not required to sign at the ceremony, but many do.
After the Ceremony
The officiant returns the signed license to the clerk within 10 days. The clerk records the marriage. The clerk then sends the data to the state. The couple can request certified copies once the record is filed. Standard state processing runs 60 to 90 days from the wedding date.
Comparison with Other Florida Counties
Florida county clerks all follow the same state laws, but fees and tools differ. Below is a side by side look at the most populated counties in the state. Each county keeps its own marriage records and runs its own search portal.
Orange County Marriage Records
Orange County Clerk of Courts runs the marriage license office in Orlando. The license fee is $86 without a course and $61 with a course. Orange County also has a three-day wait for residents. The online search portal covers records from 1970 to today.
Hillsborough County Marriage Records
Hillsborough County Clerk of Court serves Tampa. The license fee matches the state standard at $86. The Tampa office also requires an online pre-application. Records from 1971 onward can be searched on the clerk portal. Older records stay in the paper books at the courthouse.
Broward County Marriage Records
Broward County Clerk of Courts runs the marriage license office in Fort Lauderdale. The fee structure matches Miami Dade at $86 standard and $61 with a course. Broward has an online search portal that goes back to 1978. In person requests are handled at the main courthouse.
Duval County Marriage Records
Duval County Clerk of Courts covers Jacksonville. The marriage license fee is $86. Duval requires an online pre-application and offers appointments for in person visits. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics is also based in Jacksonville, so Duval residents can use either the clerk or the state for older records.
Official Contact and Location
The Miami Dade County Marriage License Bureau is the main source for local marriage records. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics handles Florida records from June 1927 to today. Use the contact list below for help with records, fees, or forms.
Miami Dade County Clerk of Court and Comptroller
Marriage License Bureau
601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900
Miami, FL 33136
Phone: (786) 469-2400
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics
1217 Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 359-6900
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common asks about Miami Dade marriage records. Each answer gives clear facts about how the system works. The answers come straight from Florida law and from the clerk office.
How far back do online Miami Dade records go?
The Miami Dade online marriage portal covers records from 1971 to the present. This covers more than fifty years of license data. Records before 1971 are kept in paper books at the clerk office. These older files can only be viewed in person or through a mail request. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics also keeps records from June 6, 1927 forward for any Florida county.
Can I get a Florida marriage certificate with an apostille for use overseas?
Yes. A Florida marriage certificate can be used outside the U.S. with an apostille. The Florida Department of State in Tallahassee issues the apostille. The apostille goes on a certified copy from the clerk or from the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. Mail orders are accepted. The fee is set by state rule each year. Turnaround is normally two to three weeks by mail.
What is the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate?
A marriage license is the legal paper that lets two people get married. It is signed before the wedding. A marriage certificate is the final paper that shows the marriage took place. It is signed after the ceremony by the officiant and recorded by the clerk. Most legal needs like name changes or insurance require the certified marriage certificate, not just the license.
How do I replace a lost Florida marriage certificate?
A lost Florida marriage certificate can be replaced. If the marriage took place in Miami Dade County, the local clerk office handles the request. If the marriage happened in another Florida county after June 1927, the state Bureau of Vital Statistics handles it. A certified copy from either office has the same legal weight as the original. Fees run $9 for the first copy at the Miami Dade clerk.
Are Florida marriage records public?
Yes. Florida Statute Chapter 119 makes marriage records public records. Section 119.07 requires the record holder to allow inspection and copying at any reasonable time. Social Security numbers are redacted before release. A confidentiality request can be filed under Section 119.071 if an applicant meets the legal rules for an exemption.
What documents are needed to apply for a marriage license in Miami Dade?
Each applicant needs a valid photo ID. Accepted IDs include a driver license from any state, a U.S. passport, military ID, alien registration card, state ID card, or a naturalization certificate. U.S. citizens and residents must share a Social Security number. Both people must show up in person together. If either party was married before, the exact end date of the last marriage is required.
How long is a Florida marriage license valid?
A Florida marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. It can be used in any Florida county. The license cannot be used outside Florida. If the license is not used within 60 days, a new one must be purchased at full price. There is no grace period under Florida law.