Plantation City Florida marriage records are official documents held by the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The city of Plantation sits in Broward County, and all marriage license and certificate services run through the county clerk office in Fort Lauderdale.
This page covers how to get a marriage license, search old records, order certified copies, and use these records for legal and family history needs.
Broward County Clerk Marriage License Office
Plantation does not run its own marriage license office. Every couple in Plantation must go through the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The clerk handles applications, issues licenses, records ceremonies, and stores marriage certificates for the whole county, including Plantation.
Office Location and Hours
The main marriage license office sits inside the Central Courthouse, Midrise Building, at 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Room 02460, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The drive from Plantation takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The phone number is (954) 831-7283. The clerk only takes walk-ins for new marriage licenses. No appointments are accepted for license applications.
What You Need to Apply
Both partners must appear in person together. Each person needs a valid photo ID, such as a driver license, passport, state ID card, military ID, or alien registration card. U.S. citizens must also give a Social Security number. If either partner was married before, bring the exact date the prior marriage ended and how it ended, such as divorce, annulment, or death. The clerk checks this data before issuing any new license.
Marriage License Costs and Fees
The base marriage license fee in Florida is set by state law. Broward County charges the standard fee for all cities, including Plantation. There are no extra city charges added to the state fee.
Fee Comparison Table
The table below shows the main costs for getting married in Plantation through the Broward County Clerk.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage License (no course) | $86 | Standard fee |
| Marriage License (with course) | $61 | Premarital course required |
| Clerk Ceremony | $30 | Performed by clerk staff |
| Certified Copy of Marriage Record | $3 | Per copy |
| Additional Copy (same request) | $3 | Per copy |
Premarital Course Savings
Florida lets couples take a premarital preparation course to lower the license fee and skip the waiting period. The course must come from a registered provider listed with the state. The course must be completed within one year of the license application date. After finishing the course, the couple brings the certificate to the clerk to get the reduced fee of $61 and skip the three-day wait.
Marriage License Rules in Florida
Florida marriage laws apply the same way across every county. Plantation couples follow the same rules as couples in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa, or any other Florida city. The state laws sit in Florida Statutes Chapter 741.
Waiting Period and Validity
A marriage license becomes valid three days after the clerk issues it for Florida residents. Out-of-state visitors do not have to wait at all. The license stays valid for 60 days from the issue date. Couples must hold the ceremony within those 60 days. After 60 days, the license expires, and the couple must apply again and pay a new fee.
Who Can Perform Your Ceremony
Florida allows many types of people to perform a marriage ceremony. Judges, ordained ministers, clerks of court, their deputies, and Florida notaries public can all officiate. Witnesses are not required by law, but most couples include one or two. After the ceremony, the officiant has 10 days to return the signed license to the Broward County Clerk for recording.
Searching Marriage Records Online
Several online tools let you search Plantation marriage records from your home. Each tool covers different time periods and charges different fees. Some are free, while others charge for full records.
Broward County Records Search
The Broward County Clerk runs a free online search tool at browardclerk.org. The database covers marriage records from 1915 to the present. Users enter a name and browse results. Searching costs nothing. The tool shows basic record data, and you can order certified copies through the same site for $3 per copy plus a small processing fee.
Florida State Records Search
The Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, stores marriage records from 1927 onward. Their website at floridahealth.gov lets you search the state index. A search and one certified copy costs $5, with extra copies at $4 each. State processing usually takes 5 to 10 business days, longer than the county clerk.
Third Party Record Services
Services like VitalChek partner with the Florida Department of Health to process online orders. VitalChek adds a processing fee on top of the state fee. These services help people who cannot visit the clerk office in person or who need faster processing. For Plantation residents, the county clerk is usually faster and cheaper for local records.
Getting Certified Copies
Certified copies of marriage records serve as legal proof of marriage. People need certified copies for name changes, immigration paperwork, insurance, and other legal matters. Plantation residents have three ways to order certified copies.
In-Person Requests
Walk into the Broward County Clerk office at 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Room 02460. Bring both names on the record, the approximate marriage date, and your photo ID. The clerk prints certified copies on the spot for $3 each. Most in-person requests finish within 15 minutes.
Mail and Online Requests
Mail a written request to the Broward County Clerk Records Department, 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Include both names, the marriage date, your relationship to the record, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order for $3 per copy. Mail orders usually take 7 to 14 business days. Online orders through browardclerk.org finish in about 3 to 5 business days.
Apostille and International Use
A Florida marriage certificate used in another country often needs an apostille. An apostille is a state certificate that proves the document is real. The Florida Secretary of State handles apostilles in Tallahassee. The current fee is $10 per document. Processing takes about 5 to 10 business days by mail, or same-day service in Tallahassee. Some countries do not accept apostilles and require full consular legalization instead.
Plantation Marriage Records for Genealogy
Family history researchers often search old Plantation marriage records. These records can show parents, previous spouses, and family connections going back many generations. Broward County keeps paper records from the early 1900s in its archive room at the Fort Lauderdale courthouse.
Historical Records Access
Records from 1915 to 1970 are on microfilm at the Broward County Historical Commission. Records from 1927 onward also exist at the state level through the Florida Department of Health. Older records from before county formation may sit in private collections or church archives. Researchers should call the clerk office at (954) 831-7283 before visiting to confirm record availability.
Name Change After Marriage
After a Plantation marriage is recorded, the next step is updating legal documents. Florida does not require a name change, but most people who change their name follow a set order to update records.
Social Security Updates
The first stop for a name change is the Social Security Administration. Bring your certified marriage certificate and current ID to the SSA office at 8000 W. Broward Boulevard, Plantation, FL 33388, or any SSA location. The SSA updates your record and issues a new Social Security card. Other agencies require this step first.
Driver License and Passport Updates
After the SSA updates your record, visit the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to update your driver license. The nearest DHSMV office to Plantation sits at 8000 W. Broward Boulevard, Suite 200. Bring your certified marriage certificate, current license, and new Social Security card. For a passport update, mail Form DS-5504 to the U.S. State Department with your certificate and current passport.
Records for Immigration Purposes
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services accepts Florida marriage certificates as proof of a legal marriage for immigration cases. The certificate must be a certified copy issued by the official custodian, which is the Broward County Clerk for Plantation records. USCIS does not accept photocopies or notarized copies. Most immigration filings need a recent certified copy, usually issued within the last six months.
Processing Times and Fees
Processing times change based on how you order. The table below shows the current speed and cost for each method as of 2026.
| Order Method | Processing Time | Fee per Copy |
|---|---|---|
| In-Person at County Clerk | Same day | $3 |
| Online through County Clerk | 3-5 business days | $3 + fee |
| Mail to County Clerk | 7-14 business days | $3 |
| Florida Department of Health (state) | 5-10 business days | $5 first copy, $4 extra |
| VitalChek (online state partner) | 2-5 business days | $5 + service fee |
Common Questions About Plantation Records
Below are answers to questions people ask most about Plantation City Florida marriage records. These cover the basic steps, fees, and common issues couples and researchers face when working with the Broward County Clerk and the Florida Department of Health.
Can I get a Plantation marriage record if I do not know the exact date?
Yes. The Broward County Clerk search tool lets you search by name and year range. You can also mail a request with the full name of both parties and an approximate year. The clerk staff will look through paper records if the digital search does not find a match. Adding the city of residence at the time of marriage helps narrow the search.
How long does the Broward County Clerk keep old marriage records?
The clerk keeps all recorded marriage records permanently. Paper records go back to 1915, when Broward County formed. Older records from the area when it was part of Dade County sit in the Dade County Clerk archives in Miami. The Florida Department of Health keeps the state index from 1927 onward, with original documents held at the county of record.
Do I need an appointment for a marriage license in Plantation?
No. The Broward County Clerk does not accept appointments for marriage license applications. Couples walk in together during business hours. The wait time depends on the day and time. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings tend to be the busiest. Early morning visits usually have the shortest waits.
What if my marriage record has a mistake on it?
Errors on a marriage record must be corrected through a formal process. Bring the original certificate and proof of the correct data to the Broward County Clerk. Common corrections include spelling errors, wrong dates, or incorrect names. The clerk charges a small correction fee and issues a new certified copy. Major errors may require a court order.
Can a minor get married in Plantation?
Florida law changed in 2024 and now prohibits marriage for anyone under 18. The minimum age for marriage in Florida is 18 for both parties. Emancipation does not change this rule. No exceptions exist for minors in the state of Florida as of 2026.
Are Plantation marriage records public?
Yes. Florida law under Florida Statutes Chapter 119 makes marriage records public. Any person can request a copy. The clerk redacts Social Security numbers and other protected data before issuing copies. Certified copies include the full record data, while informational copies may show less detail.
Can I use a Florida marriage certificate in another state?
Yes. Every U.S. state accepts certified Florida marriage certificates for legal purposes. You do not need an apostille for use in other U.S. states. For international use, you may need an apostille from the Florida Secretary of State. Some countries require certified translations along with the apostille.
FAQ
These frequently asked questions cover specific scenarios and edge cases for Plantation City Florida marriage records. The answers below reflect current 2026 Florida law and Broward County Clerk procedures. Each answer pulls from official sources and current clerk office practices.
How do I get a certified copy of a marriage certificate if I live out of state?
Out-of-state residents can order certified copies through the Broward County Clerk online portal at browardclerk.org. The clerk accepts credit card payments and mails certified copies anywhere in the United States. Mail requests work too. Send a written request with both names on the record, the marriage year, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order for $3 per copy. Mail orders take 7 to 14 business days. The Florida Department of Health also accepts mail orders for records from 1927 onward. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and the same fee structure.
What documents do I need to bring if I was married outside the U.S. and now live in Plantation?
Foreign marriage certificates are not automatically valid in Florida. You must get the document translated by a certified translator and then file it with the Broward County Clerk. The clerk records the foreign marriage as a legal record in Florida. Bring the original certificate, the certified English translation, both parties’ IDs, and a $86 recording fee. The clerk may ask for an apostille or consular authentication from the country where the marriage took place.
Can I get a marriage license the same day I apply in Plantation?
Florida residents must wait three days after the clerk issues the license before the ceremony can happen. The waiting period does not apply to non-Florida residents. Couples can skip the three-day wait by finishing a registered premarital course. The course certificate must be presented at the time of application. Out-of-state couples and couples with a course certificate can marry on the same day they apply.
What happens if the officiant forgets to file the signed marriage license?
Florida law requires the officiant to return the signed license to the clerk within 10 days. If the officiant fails to do this, the marriage still happened legally, but the record may not appear in the database. Couples should follow up with the officiant and the clerk if the record does not show up after 60 days. The clerk can contact the officiant and record the late filing. Couples may need to sign an affidavit confirming the ceremony took place.
Are there any discounts on marriage license fees for military members?
Florida does not offer a statewide military discount on marriage license fees. However, Broward County sometimes waives the $30 clerk ceremony fee for active duty military members. Call the clerk office at (954) 831-7283 to confirm current policies. Military ID must be shown at the time of application. The premarital course discount still applies for military couples who complete the course.
Can I search Plantation marriage records by name for free?
Yes. The Broward County Clerk online search at browardclerk.org lets you search marriage records from 1915 to the present at no charge. The search shows names, dates, and certificate numbers. The free search does not include images of the actual certificates. You must pay $3 per copy to view the full certified image. FamilySearch.org and other genealogy sites also offer free indexes, but they may not cover all Plantation records.
How do I correct the last name on a marriage certificate after a divorce?
Florida law does not allow name changes on the original marriage certificate after the fact. The original certificate stays as it was recorded. If you reverted to a maiden name after divorce, you update your name through the Social Security Administration and the DMV, not through the marriage certificate. The certificate remains a record of the marriage at the time it happened, not a current name document.