Palm Beach County Florida marriage records are the official papers that prove two people were legally married in Palm Beach County, Florida. These records include the marriage license, the signed certificate from the wedding ceremony, and the official copy filed with the county.
The Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller keeps every marriage record on file. The clerk office sits in West Palm Beach and serves all cities in the county. Anyone can search these records online at no cost or order a certified copy with a raised seal for legal use in Florida and beyond.
Who Keeps Palm Beach County Marriage Records
The Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is the legal custodian of marriage records in the county. This same office issues marriage licenses, performs civil ceremonies, and files the signed license after each wedding. The clerk sends a copy of each new record to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. Records from June 6, 1927 to the present are kept by the state. Older records stay only at the county level under a separate archive.
Main Clerk Office Address
The main Palm Beach County Clerk office stands at 205 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. This office handles every type of marriage record request for the county. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The office closes on county and federal holidays. Visitors can ask questions about marriage records, apply for a license, or request certified copies at this location.
Phone, Email, and Website
People can reach the clerk office by calling (561) 355-2996 for marriage record questions. Email requests go to publicrecords@mypalmbeachclerk.com. The official website at mypalmbeachclerk.com has a search portal for marriage records and an order page for certified copies. The site works on phones, tablets, and computers. Most record services are available 24 hours a day through the online portal.
Satellite Branch Offices
Palm Beach County runs branch clerk offices in cities across the county. These branches cover locations in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and other cities. Branch offices accept marriage license applications during business hours. Branch offices may have shorter hours than the main office. Call the main line or check the website before visiting a branch for marriage services.
How to Apply for a Marriage License
Couples who want to marry in Palm Beach County must apply for a license through the clerk office. Florida law requires both people to apply together in person. The application takes about 20 to 30 minutes at the clerk counter. A license issued in Palm Beach County can be used for a wedding anywhere in the state of Florida under state law.
Who Must Appear in Person
Florida law says both people in the couple must show up together to apply for a marriage license. No one can apply on behalf of another person. Both people must sign an affidavit in front of a clerk employee. The affidavit confirms the data on the application is true. This rule protects both parties and follows Florida Statute 741.04.
Documents You Need to Bring
Each person must bring a valid government-issued photo ID to the clerk office. Acceptable IDs are driver license, passport, military ID, or state ID card. United States citizens must give their Social Security number. Foreign nationals must bring a passport. People who were married before need the exact date the last marriage ended. Couples who completed a premarital course must bring the certificate to skip the waiting period and reduce the fee.
Steps in the Application
The application at the Palm Beach County Clerk office follows a set order. Couples should arrive at the office and take a number for the marriage license counter. Both people must show ID, sign the application, and read the Family Law Handbook. After signing, the couple pays the fee and receives the license. The whole procedure usually takes under one hour when the office is not busy.
Marriage License Fees and Florida Law
The Palm Beach County Clerk sets marriage license fees under Florida state law. The standard fee covers the cost of the license, filing, and recording. Couples can lower the fee by completing a state-approved premarital course. Other fees apply for civil ceremonies and certified copies of the certificate.
Standard License Costs
The standard marriage license fee in Palm Beach County is $86.00. This fee is set by Florida law and is the same at every county clerk office in the state. Couples who complete a premarital course from a registered Florida provider pay $61.00 instead. The course must be finished within one year of the application date to qualify for the lower price.
Waiting Period and Premarital Course
Florida residents face a three-day waiting period between getting the license and having the ceremony. The wait does not apply to non-Florida residents. A premarital course from a Florida-approved provider removes the three-day wait. The course covers conflict resolution, communication skills, and financial duties. The certificate must be signed by the course provider.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
Florida law lists who can legally perform a marriage in the state. Ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, and other clergy of any religion can perform the ceremony. Judges and justices of the peace can perform marriages. Clerk of court employees and notaries public can perform the ceremony. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Palm Beach County Clerk within 10 days for recording under Section 741.09.
Search Palm Beach Marriage Records Online
Palm Beach County runs a free online search tool for official records. This tool lets anyone look up marriage licenses by name, date, or document number. The search shows basic details such as the names of the couple, the license number, and the date the license was issued. Uncertified copies can be printed from the search results at no cost.
Free Official Records Search
The free search tool sits on the clerk website at mypalmbeachclerk.com/records. Users enter the last name and first name of either spouse. The search also works by license number or date range. Results show the marriage license data and the recording date. Uncertified copies are useful for personal reference, family research, or checking if a record exists.
Uncertified vs Certified Copies
Uncertified copies of marriage records are free prints from the online search. These prints are not accepted by government agencies, courts, or banks for legal use. Certified copies carry the raised seal of the clerk and a signature. Certified copies are legal proof of marriage and are accepted everywhere in the United States and most foreign countries. The fee for a certified copy from the county is set by Florida law.
Florida Public Records Law
Marriage records are public records under Florida law. Florida Statutes Chapter 119 says anyone can inspect and copy public records. Section 119.07 requires the custodian to give access at any reasonable time. Certain sensitive data such as Social Security numbers are redacted under Section 119.071. The core marriage record data stays open to anyone who asks.
Order Certified Copies of Palm Beach Marriage Records
Certified copies of marriage records carry the clerk’s raised seal and the signature of the custodian. Anyone can order certified copies for legal use. The clerk accepts orders online, by mail, and in person at the main office. State vital records also issue certified copies of Palm Beach County marriage certificates.
From the Palm Beach County Clerk
The Palm Beach County Clerk office issues certified copies of marriage records through its website. The online order page lets users pick the type of record, enter the names, and pay the fee by credit card. Orders ship by mail or email based on the user’s choice. In-person orders can be picked up at the main office on the same day in many cases.
From the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville keeps Palm Beach County marriage records from June 6, 1927 to the present. The state charges $5.00 for the first certified copy and $4.00 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. State records are available by mail, in person, or online through the state-approved vendor VitalChek.
By Mail, Online, or In Person
Mail orders go to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics with the state application form, a copy of valid ID, and payment by check or money order. Online orders go through VitalChek at vitalchek.com for a higher fee. In-person orders can be made at the Jacksonville office or the Palm Beach County Clerk office. Each method has a different turnaround time and fee.
Historical Records and Pre-1927 Marriages
Marriage records from before June 6, 1927 are not stored by the state of Florida. These older records stay only with the Palm Beach County Clerk office. Researchers need to contact the county directly for these records. Some early records are available through church archives and family history databases.
Records Before June 6, 1927
The state vital records office started keeping marriage data on June 6, 1927. Any Palm Beach County marriage before that date is held only at the county level. The clerk office has a separate archive for these historical records. Some pre-1927 records are indexed on FamilySearch.org. Contact the Palm Beach County Clerk for certified copies of pre-1927 marriages.
Genealogy Research Tips
Genealogy researchers can search Palm Beach County marriage records for ancestors who lived in the area. Start with the free online search by name to find the marriage record. Use church records and cemetery records to fill in missing details. Cross-check with census records and newspaper announcements. The Palm Beach County Library System has a genealogy section with local history books and indexes.
FamilySearch and Other Archives
FamilySearch.org has a free index of Florida marriage records that covers many Palm Beach County entries. The index links to images of the original certificates. Other free archives include the Florida Memory Project at the State Library of Florida. Paid databases such as Ancestry.com and MyHeritage.com also have Palm Beach County marriage record collections for researchers.
Legal Use and Apostille for Foreign Countries
A certified copy of a Florida marriage certificate is accepted as legal proof in all 50 states. Foreign countries often require an apostille or extra authentication. The Florida Department of State issues apostilles for documents signed by Florida officials. An apostille makes the certificate valid in countries that joined the 1961 Hague Convention.
Certified Copy Requirements
Legal agencies require a certified copy of the marriage certificate with a raised seal and a wet signature. A printed copy from the online search tool does not meet legal standards. Banks, courts, immigration offices, and foreign consulates ask for certified copies. The clerk office can issue a new certified copy with the proper authentication for any recorded marriage.
Florida Apostille Process
The Florida Department of State in Tallahassee issues apostilles for documents that need to be used in foreign countries. The certified copy of the marriage certificate must be sent to the state department with the apostille request form and a fee. Turnaround time is about 5 to 10 business days. The apostille is a separate page stapled to the certificate.
Common Countries That Require Apostille
Countries in the European Union, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Australia accept Florida apostilles. Some countries require embassy legalization instead of an apostille. Contact the destination country’s embassy or consulate to confirm the requirements. Some countries also require a sworn translation of the certificate.
Cities in Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County has many cities and towns. Every marriage license in the county is issued by the Palm Beach County Clerk. The cities listed below use the same clerk office and the same fee structure. Each city falls under the main clerk office for marriage license services and marriage records.
Major Cities Served
The main cities in Palm Beach County are West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Wellington, Greenacres, Royal Palm Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Palm Springs, Riviera Beach, and The Acreage. All of these cities fall under the Palm Beach County Clerk office for marriage license services and marriage records requests.
Nearby Counties for Records Search
People who live near the Palm Beach County border may need marriage records from a nearby county. Each Florida county has its own clerk office and its own records. The counties next to Palm Beach County are listed below with links to the local marriage records pages for easy reference.
Border Counties
The counties that border Palm Beach County are Broward County to the south, Martin County to the north, Hendry County to the west, Glades County to the northwest, and Okeechobee County to the northwest. Each county has its own clerk office. Miami-Dade County, Orange County, and Hillsborough County are larger Florida counties with separate record systems and offices.
Contact the Palm Beach County Clerk
The Palm Beach County Clerk office is the starting point for every marriage record request in the county. The office can answer questions about license applications, certified copies, and old records. Most questions can be answered by phone or email during business hours by the staff.
Office Address and Hours
The Palm Beach County Clerk office sits at 205 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office is closed on county and federal holidays. The main phone line for marriage records is (561) 355-2996. The public records email is publicrecords@mypalmbeachclerk.com.
Map and Directions
The clerk office is in downtown West Palm Beach near the courthouse. Visitors can reach the office by car via Interstate 95 to the Okeechobee Boulevard exit. Parking is available near the building. Public bus routes serve the downtown area for those without a car.
Frequently Asked Questions
People have many questions about Palm Beach County marriage records. The answers below cover the most common questions about license fees, certified copies, and historical records. These answers reflect current Florida law and Palm Beach County Clerk office procedures as of 2026. Always check the clerk website for the latest updates before applying for a license or ordering a certified copy of any record.
How long to get a marriage certificate after the wedding?
The signed marriage license must be returned to the Palm Beach County Clerk office by the officiant within 10 days of the ceremony under Florida law. After the clerk receives the signed license, the office files the record and sends the data to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. The full filing procedure takes around 60 days from the date of the wedding. Couples who need proof of marriage sooner can contact the Palm Beach County Clerk office directly for help. The clerk can issue a certified copy of the recorded license once it has been filed at the county level. The state vital records office will issue a state certified copy once the data transfer from the county is done. Couples should keep a copy of the signed license from the officiant as a backup during the filing window.
Certified vs uncertified copy: what is the difference?
An uncertified copy is a printout from the free online search tool on the clerk website. This copy shows the basic data on file but does not carry a raised seal or wet signature from the clerk. Uncertified copies are useful for personal reference or genealogy research at home. A certified copy carries the raised seal of the Palm Beach County Clerk and the signature of the custodian on the document. Certified copies are legal proof of marriage under Florida law. Banks, courts, immigration offices, and foreign consulates require certified copies for any official use. The fee for a certified copy is set by Florida law and is the same at every county clerk office in the state for any recorded marriage.
Can I get a Palm Beach record if I married elsewhere?
No. Each Florida county keeps the marriage records for ceremonies held in that county only. A marriage that took place in Miami-Dade County is on file with the Miami-Dade Clerk office in that county. The Palm Beach County Clerk can only issue certified copies of marriages that took place in Palm Beach County. Couples who married in another Florida county need to contact that county clerk office for a certified copy of their certificate. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville has a statewide index of marriage records from June 6, 1927 to the present and can issue certified copies for any county in the state through its own office. Always confirm the county of the ceremony before ordering any certified copy from any office.
Are Palm Beach County marriage records public?
Yes. Florida law makes marriage records public records under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Section 119.07 says anyone can inspect and copy public records during reasonable hours at the office. Section 119.071 protects sensitive data such as Social Security numbers from being shared. The names of the couple, the date of the license, the license number, and the recording date are all public on file. The clerk office must give access to anyone who asks, with no need to show a reason for the request at the counter. Certified copies with the raised seal are issued to anyone who pays the required fee at the office. Some older records may have limited data based on the year of the original filing.
How to correct an error on a marriage certificate?
Errors on a marriage certificate can be corrected through the Palm Beach County Clerk office or the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. Minor spelling errors can be fixed with a correction affidavit signed by the couple and the officiant on the form. Major errors such as wrong names or wrong dates may require a court order from a judge. The clerk office has a correction form on its website for download. There is a fee for corrections set by state law. Bring the original certified copy and valid ID when applying for a correction in person at the office. The corrected certificate replaces the old one on file at the office.
Do I need an appointment for a marriage license?
As of 2026, the Palm Beach County Clerk office accepts walk-in applications for marriage licenses at the counter. No appointment is needed at the main office in West Palm Beach. Branch offices may have different rules based on the location. The office can be busy on Fridays and before holidays, so couples should plan for a possible wait in the lobby. The office has a queue system with numbered spots at the counter. Couples should arrive at least one hour before closing to make sure the application is finished the same day at the counter. The fee must be paid at the time of the application by card or cash.
Can I use another county’s license in Palm Beach?
Yes. A marriage license issued by any Florida county clerk can be used for a wedding in any other Florida county under state law. The license must be used within 60 days of the issue date set by Florida. The officiant must return the signed license to the county that issued it, not the county where the ceremony took place. Couples who want the marriage recorded in Palm Beach County should apply for the license at the Palm Beach County Clerk office from the start. This avoids any confusion about where the signed license needs to be returned by the officiant after the ceremony.