North Miami City Florida marriage records are official files that prove when and where couples got married in this northeast Miami-Dade County city. The records include marriage license applications, signed certificates, and certified copies used for legal proof.
All North Miami marriage records are managed by the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court since the city does not run its own marriage office. You can search the records online, request certified copies by mail, or visit the clerk in person at the downtown Miami office.
Who Handles North Miami Marriage Records
Two government agencies manage North Miami marriage records. The county clerk handles recent records and licenses. The state office keeps older records from across Florida.
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court is the main office for all North Miami marriage records. The clerk issues marriage licenses, files signed certificates, and issues certified copies to anyone who asks. The main Marriage License Bureau sits at Overtown Transit Village South, 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136. You can reach the clerk by phone at (786) 469-2400. The office runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps statewide marriage records from June 6, 1927 onward. The state office helps people who need certified copies of older marriages or want a state-issued copy. State copies cost $5 for the first certificate and $4 for each extra copy. You can order through the state Office of Vital Statistics website or use VitalChek for faster online processing.
Marriage License Fees in North Miami
North Miami marriage license fees are set by Florida law and the county clerk. The cost depends on whether you finish a premarital course and what extra services you need.
Standard License Cost
The standard North Miami marriage license costs $86. This fee applies to couples who do not complete a premarital course. The license stays valid for 60 days from the date of issue. Florida residents must wait three days before the license becomes valid unless they complete an approved course. The waiting period does not apply to non-Florida residents.
Reduced Fee With Premarital Course
Couples who finish an approved premarital course pay a reduced fee of $61. The course must come from a registered provider listed under Florida Statute 741.0305. You must complete the course within one year of applying for the license. The course also waives the three-day waiting period for Florida residents. Many couples save $25 plus the three-day wait by taking the course.
Ceremony and Other Fees
The clerk charges $30 for a civil ceremony performed by a deputy clerk. Certified copies of a marriage certificate cost $9 for the first copy and $7 for each extra copy. Duplicate license copies cost $30. Court-ordered amendments to correct errors on a marriage record cost $30 plus filing fees. The clerk accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express for in-person payments. Personal checks are not accepted for marriage services.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard marriage license | $86 |
| License with premarital course | $61 |
| Clerk-performed ceremony | $30 |
| First certified copy | $9 |
| Each extra certified copy | $7 |
| Duplicate license | $30 |
| Court-ordered amendment | $30 plus court fees |
| Multi-year record search | $2 per year |
Search North Miami Marriage Records Online
Online searches for North Miami marriage records work best through the county clerk website for recent records. The state index covers older records going back to 1927.
Miami-Dade Online Marriage Search
The Miami-Dade Online Marriage License Bureau lets you search records for free from 1971 to today. You can search by last name, first name, or license number. Results show both spouse names, the marriage date, and the license number. The search runs around the clock and requires no account or login. Records from before 1971 are not in the online system. You must call the clerk at (786) 469-2400 for older county records.
Florida Statewide Marriage Index
The Florida Department of Health runs a statewide marriage index that covers all 67 Florida counties from June 6, 1927 to the present. The state index works well for genealogy research or for finding marriages that happened outside Miami-Dade County. State certified copies take longer to arrive than county copies since the state office must process the order. Expect two to four weeks for state mailed copies.
Order Certified Copies of Marriage Records
Certified copies of North Miami marriage records work for name changes, insurance, immigration, and passport applications. The county clerk offers three ways to order.
Online Orders Through the Clerk
The fastest way to order a certified copy is the clerk online portal. You pay by credit card and the copy arrives by mail. Standard delivery takes five to seven business days. Rush delivery is available for an extra fee. The portal accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.
In-Person Requests
Walk into the Marriage License Bureau at 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136 to request a copy in person. Same-day service is available if you arrive before 3 p.m. Bring a valid photo ID. The clerk prints the certified copy during your visit.
Mail-In Requests
Mail requests work for people who do not live near Miami. Send a written request with the full names of both spouses, the marriage date, and a cashier check or money order payable to Clerk of the Courts. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mail. Mail your request to the Marriage License Bureau at the address above. Mail orders take two to three weeks to process.
Apply for a Marriage License in North Miami
North Miami residents apply for marriage licenses through the Miami-Dade County Clerk. The city itself does not have a marriage license office. You can apply at any of the six clerk locations in the county.
Documents Required
Both partners must appear in person with valid photo ID. Accepted IDs include driver licenses, passports, military IDs, state IDs, alien registration cards, and naturalization certificates. U.S. citizens must provide a Social Security number. If either partner was married before, bring the date the previous marriage ended. Florida does not require birth certificates or blood tests for marriage licenses.
Where to Apply in Miami-Dade County
The clerk runs six locations across Miami-Dade County. The main office sits downtown at 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136. North Miami residents may prefer the North Miami-Dade courthouse or the Hialeah branch to avoid downtown traffic. All locations process marriage licenses the same way. Walk-ins are accepted, yet appointments speed up the visit.
How the Marriage Ceremony Works
A North Miami marriage ceremony follows Florida law. The couple picks an officiant, holds the ceremony, and the officiant files the signed license with the clerk.
Who Can Officiate the Ceremony
Florida Statute 741.07 lists who can perform a marriage ceremony. Ordained ministers, rabbis, priests, judges, county clerks, deputy clerks, and Florida notary publics can all officiate. Witnesses are not legally required in Florida. The couple must state their intent to marry in front of the officiant and any witnesses present.
Filing the Signed License
The officiant signs the license after the ceremony and returns it to the clerk within 10 days. The clerk records the marriage and updates the online system. Recording takes about 60 days from the date the clerk receives the signed document. The couple can order a certified copy once the clerk records the marriage.
Historical and Genealogy Records
Older North Miami marriage records require different search methods. Records before 1927 stay at the county level and need a direct request to the clerk.
Records Before June 1927
The state of Florida started collecting marriage records on June 6, 1927. Marriages before that date exist only at the county level. Miami-Dade County (called Dade County before 1997) holds the original records. Older records are not digitized and require a clerk search. The clerk charges $2 per year searched when the exact marriage date is unknown.
FamilySearch and Ancestry Databases
FamilySearch and Ancestry both host indexes of Florida marriage records scanned from original documents. These free and paid indexes cover select years and counties. They work well for genealogy research since the records link to family trees and image scans. Researchers should cross-check findings against the original clerk record since transcription errors can occur.
Correct or Amend a Marriage Record
Errors on a marriage certificate require a formal amendment. Common errors include misspelled names, wrong dates, and missing details. The clerk handles minor corrections with a signed affidavit and $30 fee. Major changes need a court order from a Florida judge. The court order must come before the clerk can update the official record. Corrected records replace the original entry on file.
Apostille for Florida Marriage Certificates
An apostille certifies a Florida marriage certificate for use in countries that joined the Hague Apostille Convention. The Florida Department of State issues apostilles. The process requires a current certified copy of the marriage certificate and a completed apostille request form. Submit by mail or in person to the Department of State in Tallahassee. Processing takes five to ten business days. The apostille attaches to the certified copy and does not replace it.
Office Contact and Hours
The Miami-Dade County Marriage License Bureau is the main contact for all North Miami marriage records. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics handles older records and statewide searches.
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court
Address: 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136. Phone: (786) 469-2400. Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Website: www.miamidadeclerk.gov.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
Address: 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Phone: (904) 359-6900. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Website: www.floridahealth.gov/certificates-records.
FAQs About North Miami Marriage Records
People often have questions about North Miami marriage records that go beyond the basic license process. The questions below cover common issues that come up during record searches, certified copy orders, and legal name changes. The answers reflect current Florida law and Miami-Dade County Clerk procedures as of 2026.
Can anyone get a copy of my North Miami marriage record?
Yes. Florida marriage records are public under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Any member of the public can view or request a copy of a marriage certificate on file with the county clerk. The clerk redacts Social Security numbers before releasing copies. Confidential records require a court order and apply only in narrow cases such as sealed adoption records. Most people can order a copy of any marriage record on file without proving a relationship to the couple.
How long for a certified copy from Miami-Dade?
In-person requests at the clerk downtown office produce a certified copy the same day if you arrive before 3 p.m. Online orders through the clerk portal arrive by mail in five to seven business days. Mail-in orders take two to three weeks from the date the clerk receives the request. State copies from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics take two to four weeks for standard delivery.
What if I do not know the exact marriage date?
The clerk offers a multi-year search for $2 per year searched. You provide the names of both spouses and an approximate date range. The clerk staff looks through the records and reports back what they find. This service works well for genealogy searches or name change paperwork when the date is lost. Online search portals also let you browse by name without a date.
Do I need an appointment for a North Miami license?
No appointment is required at any Miami-Dade County clerk location. Walk-ins are accepted at all six branches during business hours. Appointments through the clerk website cut your wait time. The online pre-application form also saves time at the counter since the clerk staff enters your data faster when you fill it out in advance.
Can I get married the same day I apply for a license?
Florida residents must wait three days after the license issue date before the license becomes valid. The wait does not apply to non-Florida residents. An approved premarital course waives the three-day wait for residents. Same-day marriages are common for tourists and out-of-state couples who apply and hold the ceremony the same day.
What information appears on a Florida marriage certificate?
A Florida marriage certificate shows the full legal names of both spouses, their dates of birth, the date of the marriage, the county where the license was issued, the officiant name and title, and the witness signatures if any. The signed certificate includes the license number and the recording date when the clerk files it.
Is a Florida marriage certificate valid in other countries?
A Florida marriage certificate is valid across the United States without extra steps. For use in another country, the document often needs an apostille from the Florida Department of State or authentication through the U.S. State Department. Some countries accept the apostille, others require full embassy authentication. Check the rules of the destination country before traveling with the document.