Nassau County Florida marriage records cover every marriage license issued and recorded in the northeast Florida county that includes Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island. People search these records to get a copy of their own marriage certificate, prove a name change, trace family history, or check if a marriage took place.
The Nassau County Clerk of the Circuit Court keeps the original documents. The Florida Department of Health keeps state copies starting from June 6, 1927. This page explains who holds the records, how to get a license, how to order a copy, what fees apply in 2026, and where to go in person.
Where to Get Nassau County Florida Marriage Records
Nassau County marriage records sit in two places. The county clerk holds the original signed licenses. The state holds certificates for marriages recorded after June 1927. Each office has a different role, fee, and request method. Knowing which office to contact saves time and money when ordering a Florida certified marriage certificate.
Nassau County Clerk of the Circuit Court
The Nassau County Clerk of the Circuit Court runs the marriage license counter at the courthouse in Fernandina Beach. The clerk stamps the original license, files the signed document after the wedding, and issues certified copies from the local index. Marriage records from before June 1927 exist only at this office. The clerk is the only place to apply for a new marriage license in Nassau County. Search requests for older Florida historical marriage records from the 1800s also start here.
Florida Department of Health Vital Records
The Florida Department of Health runs the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics from its Jacksonville office. This state vital records office holds Nassau County marriage certificates from June 6, 1927, to the present. The state index gives one search across every Florida county at once. People use it when they cannot remember which county the marriage took place, or when they want a state-issued Florida marriage certificate that works in all U.S. states.
Online Search Portals for Florida Marriage Records
Three official search portals let you look up Nassau County marriage records without visiting the clerk office. Each portal covers a different date range and shows different details. The table below shows what each one does and how to use it for a Florida marriage records search.
| Portal | Source | Date Range | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clerk Official Records Search | Nassau County Clerk | 1970s to present | Free search, fee for copy |
| My Florida County Records | Florida Association of Counties | Varies by county | Fee per copy |
| Florida Vital Records Online (VitalChek) | Florida Department of Health | 1927 to present | $5 search plus copy fee |
How to Apply for a Marriage License in Nassau County
Couples who want to marry in Nassau County must apply at the clerk office in person. Both people must show up at the same time. The clerk takes about 20 minutes to process each couple if paperwork is ready. This Florida marriage license application is the first step for any couple planning a wedding in the county.
Who Must Appear at the Clerk Office
Both parties to the marriage must appear in person. No one can apply on their behalf. The clerk asks each person to sign the application and swear an affidavit under Florida law. Florida has no residency rule, so people from any state or country can apply in Nassau County. Many Amelia Island destination weddings involve out-of-state couples who apply the day before their beach ceremony at the clerk of court marriage license counter.
Documents and ID You Must Bring
Each person must bring valid photo ID. The clerk accepts a driver license, passport, military ID, state ID card, or alien registration card. U.S. citizens and residents also need to know their Social Security number. If either party was married before, the exact date the last marriage ended is required. Divorce decrees or death certificates do not need to be shown at the counter. The clerk may ask for proof if a date looks wrong or if the previous marriage ended less than 60 days ago.
Marriage License Fees in Nassau County
The base fee for a marriage license in Nassau County is $86. This fee includes a $2 application charge and a $25 Domestic Violence Trust Fund charge set by Florida law. Couples who complete an approved premarital course pay $61. The clerk will not give the discount without the course completion certificate. Payment is by cash or money order at the counter. Credit and debit cards are accepted with a small surcharge that the card processor sets.
Waiting Period and 60-Day Validity Rule
Florida residents face a three-day wait before their Nassau County marriage license becomes valid. The clock starts on the day the clerk issues the license. Non-residents skip this rule and can use the license the same day. A premarital course also skips the wait for residents. Every Florida marriage license stays valid for 60 days from the issue date. The license can be used anywhere in Florida, not only in the county where it was issued.
Searching for Existing Marriage Records
Marriage records in Florida are public. Anyone can search the Nassau County index, including people who are not named on the license. Florida public marriage records fall under the state public records law, which sets the rules for who can ask and what the clerk must give. This makes a Florida marriage records database search open to nearly everyone.
Search by Name at the Clerk Office
The Nassau County clerk runs a name search at the front counter. Bring the full name of at least one spouse and the year of marriage if you know it. The clerk checks the paper index or the digital system and prints a copy of the license page. There is a small fee for each certified copy. This is the easiest way to do a Florida marriage records by name search when you know the county.
Florida Statewide Marriage Index Online
The Florida Department of Health runs the Florida statewide marriage index online. This index covers every Florida county from 1927 forward. Users enter a name, year range, and county filter. The index gives a record number and the county where the license was filed. From there, the user orders a certified copy through the same portal or through VitalChek. This tool helps people who want a Florida marriage records by county lookup at the state level.
Pre-1927 Records at the County Level
Marriages before June 6, 1927, sit only in the county where the license was filed. The state did not track them. Nassau County has paper records going back to the 1820s. Some older books have been scanned and uploaded to the clerk website as part of the Florida marriage records archive. Books that have not been scanned must be viewed in person at the courthouse. Call the clerk office before visiting so staff can pull the right volume.
Ordering Certified Copies and Certificates
A certified copy of a marriage record has a raised or stamped seal from the issuing office. Banks, courts, Social Security, and insurance companies ask for this type of copy. A plain printout from a database is not a certified copy and is not accepted for legal use. Knowing where to order a Florida marriage certificate copy saves time and avoids rejected documents.
In-Person Requests at the Clerk
Walk into the clerk office in Fernandina Beach and ask for a certified copy at the recording desk. Pay the fee by cash, money order, or card. The clerk prints the copy on the spot for records from 1990 forward. Older records that are not yet digitized may take a few business days to pull from storage. Photo ID is required for any in-person order of a Florida marriage certificate copy.
Mail-In Requests and Required Forms
Mail a written request to the Nassau County Clerk of Court. The request must include both names on the license, the year of marriage, a copy of a valid photo ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk accepts personal checks and money orders for mail requests. Write the request on plain paper or use the Florida marriage record request form available on the clerk website. Mail requests take 7 to 10 business days to process.
Online Orders Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the only online vendor approved by the Florida Department of Health for state certificate orders. Orders through VitalChek cost more than mail or in-person orders at the clerk. The site accepts credit cards and ships certified copies by mail. VitalChek also handles rush orders for people who need a certificate within a few days. This is the fastest way to order Florida marriage certificate copies when you live out of state.
Certified Copy Costs and Payment
The fee for a certified copy depends on where the request goes. The table below lists the current costs at each office for a Florida certified marriage certificate.
| Office | First Copy | Extra Copies | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nassau County Clerk | $9 | $4 each | Same day to 5 days |
| Florida Department of Health | $5 (search + 1 copy) | $4 each | 5 to 10 business days |
| VitalChek | $15 (search + 1 copy) | $4 each | 3 to 7 business days |
Officiants, Ceremonies, and After the Wedding
Florida law lists who can perform a marriage and what happens to the license after the wedding. Nassau County follows the same rules as every other Florida county, with some local options for civil ceremonies. Knowing these rules prevents delays in recording the marriage and getting a Florida marriage certificate back.
Who Can Officiate a Florida Wedding
Ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, and other clergy can perform a marriage in Florida. Judges, clerks of court, and their deputies can officiate. Florida notaries public can also perform the ceremony if they are registered with the state. The officiant must sign the marriage license and return it to the issuing clerk within 10 days. Out-of-state ministers need a letter of good standing from their home church before Florida will accept their signature.
Returning the Signed Marriage License
The officiant, or one of the couple, must return the signed license to the Nassau County clerk within 10 days of the ceremony. The clerk files the original and sends a copy to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. The state processing time is about 60 days. Couples who need proof sooner can ask the clerk for a local Florida marriage certificate copy while the state file is still pending.
Civil Ceremonies at the Courthouse
The Nassau County clerk offers civil ceremonies at the courthouse for $30. Call the clerk office to book a time slot. The ceremony is short, with no religious words, and is performed by a deputy clerk. Many couples on a tight budget pick this option instead of hiring a private officiant. Civil ceremonies are done in a small room at the courthouse, not in the main courtroom.
Nassau County Genealogy and Historical Records
Genealogy researchers look at Nassau County marriage records for family trees, probate work, and DNA matches. The county holds some of the oldest marriage books in Florida, dating to the 1820s. Florida marriage records genealogy work often starts at the county level before going to the state.
Marriage Records from the 1800s and 1900s
Nassau County was created in 1824. Florida marriage records 1800s exist in handwritten ledgers that the clerk still keeps. Many early records name the bride’s father and the groom’s occupation. Florida marriage records 1900s list the full names of both parents. These older books help fill in family lines before birth certificates became common in Florida. Researchers can view original ledgers at the courthouse by appointment.
Amelia Island Wedding History
Amelia Island has hosted destination weddings since the late 1800s. Marriage records from the 1880s and 1890s show couples traveling from Georgia, South Carolina, and New York to marry at the island’s churches and hotels. Researchers can view these records at the Nassau County clerk office or through the clerk’s online archive. The island’s wedding history makes it one of the oldest wedding spots in the state.
Nassau County Clerk Contact and Office Hours
The Nassau County Clerk of the Circuit Court runs the marriage license counter. People can call or visit the office for license applications, record searches, and certified copies. Knowing the exact address and hours saves a wasted trip to the courthouse for those doing a Florida marriage records search in person.
Clerk Office Address and Phone Number
The Nassau County Clerk of the Circuit Court marriage license counter is at the Nassau County Courthouse in Fernandina Beach, Florida.
Address: 416 Centre Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Phone: (904) 548-4600
Website: nassauclerk.com
Office Hours and Holiday Schedule
The marriage license counter at the Nassau County Courthouse is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office closes for Florida state holidays. Call the clerk office before visiting to confirm hours, especially around major holidays. The phone line is busiest on Mondays and right after holiday weekends. Mid-week mornings tend to have the shortest wait times for license applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to the most common questions people ask about Nassau County Florida marriage records. Each answer covers fees, forms, processing times, and legal use of the certificate. These questions come up most often in Florida marriage records searches and Florida marriage certificate replacement requests.
How long does it take to get a certified copy?
It depends on where you order it. In-person requests at the Nassau County clerk for recent records take about 15 minutes. Mail requests take 7 to 10 business days. Online orders through VitalChek arrive in 3 to 7 business days. The Florida Department of Health takes 5 to 10 business days for mail and online orders. If you need the copy for a passport, Social Security name change, or immigration case, plan for the longest timeline. Rush options exist at VitalChek for an extra fee.
Can I get a Nassau County marriage record if I was not the spouse?
Yes. Florida marriage records are public. Any adult can request a copy of a Nassau County marriage license through the clerk or the state office. Sensitive details like Social Security numbers are redacted from the copy. This rule covers anyone, including private investigators, family members, and genealogists. The clerk will not ask why you want the record under Florida public records law.
What if the marriage happened more than 90 years ago?
Older records still sit at the Nassau County clerk office in paper books. The clerk charges the same certified copy fee for an 1890 marriage as for a 2024 marriage. Some older books have been scanned and posted on the clerk website as part of the Florida marriage records archive. Books that have not been scanned must be viewed in person at the courthouse. Plan extra time for staff to locate records from the 1800s.
Can I use a Nassau County certificate in another country?
A certified Florida marriage certificate is accepted in most countries with an apostille. The Florida Department of State issues apostilles for Florida marriage certificates. Apostille requests take about 2 to 3 weeks. Some countries ask for a translated copy. The state does not translate the certificate, so the applicant hires a translator. Check with the destination country’s embassy for exact rules on document format.
Do I need an appointment to apply for a license?
The Nassau County clerk does not require an appointment for marriage license applications. Walk in during office hours with both parties present. Wait times are short on weekday mornings. Late afternoons tend to be busier. Call ahead if you are traveling from out of state and want to confirm the office is open that day. Some peak wedding seasons see longer lines, especially during Amelia Island wedding weekends.
What if I lost my marriage license before the wedding?
A lost license before the ceremony means the couple must apply for a new one and pay the fee again. The clerk does not replace a lost pre-ceremony license for free. After the ceremony, if the signed license is lost before it reaches the clerk, the officiant must get a sworn statement and apply for a duplicate with the clerk. Florida marriage certificate replacement after recording costs the standard copy fee.
Is there a difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate?
Yes. A marriage license is the document the couple signs before the wedding. A marriage certificate is the document filed after the wedding, showing the marriage was legally recorded. Banks, courts, and government agencies ask for the certificate, not the license. The Nassau County clerk issues both, with the certificate filed after the officiant returns the signed license. Always request a certified copy of the certificate for legal use.