Pace City Florida marriage records sit on file with the Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court in Milton. Pace is a census-designated place inside Santa Rosa County, so the county clerk handles every marriage license, civil ceremony, and certificate copy for Pace couples.
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville holds a statewide index of marriages starting June 6, 1927. Anyone can request copies for legal proof, name changes, genealogy work, immigration paperwork, or personal records. This page covers where to search, what fees apply, what documents to bring, and how to get certified copies the same day.
Where Pace Marriage Records Are Stored
Two offices hold Pace marriage records: the Santa Rosa County Clerk at the local level, and the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics at the state level. Each office has a separate role and a separate turnaround time for copy requests. Knowing which office to contact saves time and money.
Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court
The Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court runs the marriage license program for every part of the county, including Pace, Navarre, Gulf Breeze, Jay, and Milton. The main office sits at 6495 Caroline Street, Suite A, in Milton, about 10 to 15 minutes east of Pace on Highway 90. The clerk issues new licenses, performs civil ceremonies by appointment, stores original certificates, and prints certified copies for the public. Marriage records from June 6, 1927, through the current date stay on file at this location. Older documents from before 1927 may sit in county archives, the State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee, or local historical societies.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, part of the Florida Department of Health, keeps a statewide index of marriages beginning June 6, 1927. The state office sits in Jacksonville and accepts mail requests, online orders through approved vendors like VitalChek, and walk-in requests at the Jacksonville location. The state index pulls data from each county clerk after the signed license gets returned by the officiant. Processing at the state level takes about 60 days from the ceremony date, so recent marriages may not appear in the state system right away.
Why County Records Are Faster
Most people get faster results by going straight to the Santa Rosa County Clerk. The clerk has the original document on file and can print certified copies the same day in most cases. State requests require mail delivery, processing time, and shipping back to the requester. Recent marriages under two months old may not appear in the state index yet. Officiants have 10 days to return signed licenses, and counties need extra time to forward the data to the state office.
Marriage License Requirements in Pace
Couples who live in Pace, work in Pace, or want to marry in Santa Rosa County follow the same license rules set by Florida law. Both people must appear in person at the clerk’s office, sign the application, and pay the fee before the license issues. The process takes about 20 to 30 minutes at the counter.
Who Can Apply for a License
Any single person age 18 or older can apply for a Florida marriage license. Florida residents must wait three days after applying before the license becomes valid, unless they complete an approved premarital course. Out-of-state residents skip the three-day wait and the license becomes valid right after issuance. Couples age 16 or 17 need parental consent and a parent present at the clerk’s office. Emancipated minors can apply without parental consent. Same-sex couples have full legal rights to marry under Florida law. First cousins can marry under Florida law as long as both are 18 or older.
Documents You Need to Bring
Both people must come to the clerk together with valid photo ID. Accepted IDs include driver licenses from any U.S. state, U.S. passports, military IDs, state ID cards, permanent resident cards, and naturalization certificates. U.S. citizens must provide a Social Security number, even if the card sits at home. Non-U.S. citizens can show a passport and any government-issued photo ID. Anyone married before must know the exact date the last marriage ended through divorce, annulment, or death of the spouse. Missing data can delay the application.
Fees and Payment Methods
Santa Rosa County charges $86 for a standard marriage license. A state-approved premarital course drops the fee to $61 and removes the three-day wait. The course must be finished within one year before applying, and the certificate must come from a registered provider listed with the Florida Department of Children and Families. The clerk charges $30 for a civil ceremony at the courthouse. Cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express are accepted. Personal checks are not accepted. Duplicate licenses cost $30 each. Amendments to existing records require a court order plus $30.
How to Search Pace Marriage Records Online
Several online tools let you search for Pace marriage records without driving to the courthouse. Some tools are free, others charge a fee, and results vary by date and county. Older records often need a phone call or mail request instead of an online lookup.
Free Clerk Search Tools
The Santa Rosa County Clerk website hosts a free public records search. Visitors can search by name, date range, or case number for any document filed in the county, including marriage licenses and certificates. Search results show basic data like the names of both spouses and the filing date. Full certified copies cost extra and require a credit card payment. The clerk search works best for marriages from 1980 onward, since older records may not be digitized yet.
Statewide Florida Records Search
The Florida Department of Health runs a statewide vital records search through its Office of Vital Statistics. The state office indexes marriages from 1927 forward and links each entry to the county clerk that holds the original document. Requests for certified copies through the state cost $5 for the first copy and $4 for each extra copy. Mail orders take 5 to 10 business days. Online orders through VitalChek charge $15 for the first copy plus $7 processing per order, with shipping added.
Third-Party Genealogy Sites
Sites like Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, MyHeritage, and FindMyPast host indexes of Florida marriage records pulled from county clerk files, church archives, and original certificates. Most indexes cover marriages from the 1800s through the 1970s. Full record images often require a paid subscription. FamilySearch offers free access to many Florida marriage indexes through its partnership with the Genealogical Society of Utah. Researchers use these sites to confirm parents, find maiden names, and trace family lines across generations.
Ordering Certified Copies
Certified copies of Pace marriage records carry the official clerk seal and work for legal name changes, Social Security updates, passport applications, immigration paperwork, and court cases. Three request methods exist: in person, by mail, and online. Pick the method that matches your timeline and budget.
In-Person Requests at the Clerk
Walk into the Santa Rosa County Clerk’s office at 6495 Caroline Street, Suite A, in Milton during regular business hours. Fill out a request form at the records counter. Pay the fee by cash, credit card, or debit card. Staff print the certified copy on the spot in most cases. Bring a valid photo ID. Same-day service works for records on file from June 6, 1927, forward. Older records may require a search fee and a 1 to 3 day wait while staff pull ledgers from storage.
Mail and Online Orders
Mail requests to the Santa Rosa County Clerk need a signed written request, a copy of a valid photo ID, and a cashier’s check or money order payable to the Clerk of Court. Include the full names of both spouses at the time of marriage and the marriage date if known. If the date is unknown, add a $2 search fee per year searched. Online requests go through the clerk’s official records portal with credit card payment. VitalChek handles online requests for the state Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Processing Times and Costs
Certified copies from the county clerk cost $9 for the first copy and $7 for each extra copy of the same record. A $2 search fee applies per year if the marriage date is unknown. Online orders add a small credit card processing fee. Mail orders take 5 to 10 business days plus return shipping. Online orders ship within 1 to 3 business days. State Bureau orders take 5 to 10 business days plus mail time. Expedited shipping costs extra. Apostille services for international use cost $10 per document through the Florida Department of State.
| Request Method | Fee Per Copy | Processing Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Person at Clerk | $9 first, $7 extra | Same day | Recent marriages |
| Online via Clerk | $9 + processing | 1 to 3 days | Credit card users |
| Mail to Clerk | $9 first, $7 extra | 5 to 10 days | Out-of-state requests |
| State Bureau | $5 first, $4 extra | 5 to 10 days | Older records |
| VitalChek Online | $15 + $7 processing | 3 to 5 days | Rush orders |
Historical Records in Santa Rosa County
Santa Rosa County was created in 1842 and has kept marriage records since its founding. Records before June 6, 1927, sit at the county level only, since the state did not begin collecting them until that date. Researchers tracing family history in Pace often need to dig into these older files through a mix of courthouse visits, archive requests, and digital databases.
Pre-1927 Marriage Records
Marriage records from 1842 through June 5, 1927, exist only at the Santa Rosa County level. Some of these older records appear in bound ledgers stored in the county courthouse vault. Others sit in the State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee, which holds microfilm copies of many early county records. A small number of pre-1900 records may also appear in church archives, family Bibles, or local newspaper announcements. Researchers should call the clerk’s office at (850) 981-5555 to confirm whether a specific record exists on file before visiting the courthouse.
Genealogy Research Tips
Start with the free clerk search tool to check current records. Move to FamilySearch for older indexes and free record images. Contact the Santa Rosa County Historical Society for help with pre-1900 records. Check the State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee for microfilm collections. Look for church records at the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee for Catholic marriages. Cross-check with census records, obituaries, and cemetery records to confirm dates and family connections. Allow extra time for older records, since search fees may apply and staff may need to pull ledgers from storage.
Military Families and Pace Marriages
Pace sits close to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Whiting Field, and Eglin Air Force Base. Many military couples marry in Santa Rosa County each year. Military members need a valid military ID plus a Social Security number to apply for a license. The three-day waiting period applies to Florida residents, including active-duty members stationed in the state. Out-of-state military members skip the wait. Premarital course certificates from base chaplains qualify for the fee reduction and waiver of the waiting period when the course provider sits on the state-approved list.
Santa Rosa County Clerk Contact Details
Reach the clerk’s office directly for questions about Pace marriage records, license applications, certified copy orders, and historical searches. The office stays open Monday through Friday during regular business hours and closes on state holidays.
Office: Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court
Address: 6495 Caroline Street, Suite A, Milton, FL 32570
Phone: (850) 981-5555
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Website: www.santarosa.fl.gov/clerk
Pace Marriage Records FAQ
These questions cover common requests for Pace marriage records, including license applications, copy orders, historical searches, and legal use. Each answer gives the facts you need to move forward with confidence and avoid delays at the counter.
How long does it take to get a marriage license in Pace?
Both people must appear together at the Santa Rosa County Clerk’s office in Milton. The application takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Florida residents must wait three days before the license becomes valid. Out-of-state couples skip the wait. The license stays valid for 60 days from issuance, so the ceremony must happen within that window or the couple must reapply and pay another fee.
Can I get a copy of my marriage certificate the same day?
Yes, the Santa Rosa County Clerk prints certified copies the same day for most records on file from June 6, 1927, forward. Walk into the office at 6495 Caroline Street in Milton during business hours with a photo ID. Pay $9 for the first copy and $7 for each extra copy of the same record. Same-day service works best for marriages filed within the last 10 years. Older records may need a search and a short wait.
How do I find a marriage record from the 1950s in Pace?
Start with the Santa Rosa County Clerk’s free online search. If the record does not appear, contact the clerk’s office by phone at (850) 981-5555. Provide the full names of both spouses and the year of marriage if known. Records from the 1950s sit at the county level. A $2 search fee per year applies if the exact date is unknown. Most 1950s records are digitized and easy to locate.
Are Pace marriage records public?
Yes, Florida marriage records are public records under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Anyone can search or request copies. Social Security numbers, financial data, and certain medical details get redacted from public copies. Confidential filing exists for people with court orders under Section 119.071, but standard marriage records remain open to the public for genealogy, legal, and personal use across all 67 Florida counties.
What is the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate?
A marriage license is the document the couple signs before the ceremony that gives them legal permission to marry. A marriage certificate is the document the officiant and witnesses sign after the ceremony that proves the marriage happened. The certificate gets filed with the county clerk, who sends a copy to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. Most people need certified copies of the certificate, not the license, for legal purposes.
Can I search Florida marriage records by spouse name?
Yes, both the county clerk search tool and the state Bureau of Vital Statistics search let you look up records by the full name of either spouse. Use the maiden name, the married name, or a combination of first and last names. Date ranges and county filters help narrow results. Some older records appear under the husband’s name only, so researchers may need to search multiple name variations.
Do I need an appointment to apply for a marriage license in Pace?
No appointment is required at the Santa Rosa County Clerk for a marriage license application. Walk-ins are accepted during office hours, which run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointments can cut your wait time during busy periods. The clerk offers a pre-application form on the county website that you can fill out before your visit to speed up the process at the counter.