Princeton City Florida marriage records are public documents filed with the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court and the Florida Department of Health. Princeton is an unincorporated community in southern Miami-Dade County near Homestead, so all marriage licenses, certificates, and certified copies for Princeton residents come from the same county and state offices that serve the rest of the county.
This page explains where to get records, how to apply for a license, how to search old records, and how to order certified copies for legal use. Costs and procedures listed here are current as of September 2026.
Where to Get Princeton Marriage Records
Princeton marriage records are kept at two main levels. The county clerk keeps the original license and certificate for marriages performed or filed in Miami-Dade County. The state office keeps a statewide index and certified copies from 1927 onward. Knowing which office holds which record saves time and money for most people who need a copy of a Princeton marriage record.
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court Marriage License Bureau is the primary office for Princeton marriage records. The clerk issues new licenses, performs civil ceremonies, records signed licenses returned by officiants, and stores the original documents for the county. Princeton residents can apply for their license at any of the six Miami-Dade clerk district locations and pick up certified copies through the clerk’s office.
Florida Department of Health Office
The Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Records maintains the statewide marriage index from June 6, 1927, to the present. The state office can issue certified copies of any Florida marriage from that date forward. State records work well for older records or for people who do not live in Miami-Dade County anymore. The state office also handles corrections and amendments to older marriage records when proper paperwork is filed.
Local vs State Records
County records are often faster and cheaper for recent marriages because the clerk has the original document on file. State records cover a longer period and work for genealogy or legal use anywhere. Miami-Dade County marriage records are public under Florida Statutes Chapter 119, so anyone can request a copy as long as they meet the basic eligibility rules set out in state law.
| Office | Records Held | Years Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade County Clerk | Original licenses and certificates for Miami-Dade marriages | All years, county-level |
| Florida Department of Health | Statewide marriage index and certified copies | June 6, 1927 to present |
| State Archives of Florida | Historical indexes and some original records | Varies by county |
How to Apply for a Marriage License in Princeton
Princeton residents follow the same Miami-Dade County process as everyone else in the county. Both partners must appear in person at a clerk office, bring valid photo ID, and pay the license fee. Below are the rules, documents, and costs for a Princeton marriage license in 2026 based on Florida law and current Miami-Dade County procedures.
License Requirements
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old to marry without parental consent. Florida residents who are 17 can apply with one parent present and providing written consent. 16-year-olds need both parents present and a court order. Both partners must appear together in person. The clerk will not issue a license if only one party shows up, even with a power of attorney.
Required Documents
The clerk accepts these forms of photo ID at the office:
- Driver license or state-issued photo ID card
- U.S. passport
- Military ID card
- Alien registration card or permanent resident card
- Naturalization certificate
U.S. citizens must also provide their Social Security number. If either party was married before, they must give the exact date the previous marriage ended by divorce, annulment, or death. The clerk may ask for a divorce decree or death certificate in some cases to confirm the date.
Fees and Costs
The standard marriage license fee in Miami-Dade County is $86 in 2026. Couples who complete an approved Florida premarital course within one year before applying pay a reduced fee of $61 under Florida Statute 741.0305. Civil ceremonies performed by the clerk cost an extra $30. The clerk accepts cash and major credit cards but does not accept personal checks for any marriage service.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Marriage license (no course) | $86 |
| Marriage license (with premarital course) | $61 |
| Civil ceremony by clerk | $30 |
| Duplicate license | $30 |
| License amendment (with court order) | $30 |
| Certified copy (county) first copy | $9 |
| Certified copy (county) additional | $7 |
| Certified copy (state) first copy | $5 |
| Certified copy (state) additional | $4 |
Waiting Period and Validity
Florida residents wait three days between the license issue date and the ceremony. Out-of-state residents skip the wait. Florida residents who finish an approved premarital course within one year before applying also skip the three-day wait. The license stays valid for 60 days from the issue date. If the ceremony does not happen within 60 days, the couple must apply and pay again to get a new license.
Searching Princeton Marriage Records Online
Princeton marriage records can be searched online through the Miami-Dade clerk’s portal and the Florida Department of Health website. Online records are free to view, but certified copies cost extra. Both databases are useful for different reasons depending on how old the record is and what details you already know.
Miami-Dade Online Database
The Miami-Dade Online Marriage License Bureau database covers marriages recorded in the county from 1971 to the present. The portal lets you search by name or by license number. Results show the full names of both spouses and the date of the marriage. The database is available 24 hours a day and free to use. Records older than 1971 are not in the online system. Call the clerk at 786-469-2400 for help with older records or to request older files.
Florida Statewide Index
The Florida Department of Health marriage index covers all Florida counties from June 6, 1927, to the present. The statewide index works well for genealogy research because it lets you confirm a marriage even if you do not know which county the event took place in. The search is free, and you can view the index entries online at the Florida Department of Health website.
Third-Party Record Services
VitalChek is an official partner of the Florida Department of Health for online ordering of certified copies. VitalChek charges $15 for the first certified copy plus a $7 service fee per order. Third-party services charge more than the county or state, but they offer faster shipping and easier online ordering for people who cannot visit an office in person. Other genealogy sites may have indexes but are not official record holders.
Getting Certified Copies of Princeton Records
Certified copies of Princeton marriage records can be ordered online, in person, or by mail. A certified copy has a raised seal or stamp and works for name changes, insurance, immigration, and other legal matters. Regular printouts from the online database do not count as legal proof of marriage. Only stamped certified copies from the county or state have legal value.
Online Orders
The fastest way to get a certified copy from Miami-Dade County is through the clerk’s online portal. You can pay by credit card and have the copy mailed or pick it up at the office. The first certified copy costs $9 and each additional copy costs $7. State copies ordered online through the Florida Department of Health or VitalChek cost $5 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy, plus service fees for online ordering.
In-Person Requests
To get a certified copy in person, visit the main Miami-Dade County Clerk office at Overtown Transit Village South, 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The clerk accepts cash, credit cards, debit cards, and money orders. Bring a valid photo ID and the full names of both spouses on the record, plus the marriage date if you know it.
Mail Requests
Mail requests work well for people who live outside the area. Send a written request with the full names of both spouses, the date of the marriage if known, and your contact details. Include a cashier’s check or money order payable to Clerk of the Courts for the correct amount. Mail the request to the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court, Marriage License Bureau, 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136. Mail orders take longer than online or in-person orders.
Historical and Genealogical Records
Princeton marriage records older than 1971 are not in the online county database. Records older than 1927 only exist at the county level. Genealogists and family researchers often need to use several sources to find old records, including state archives, church books, and family documents. Princeton itself is a small unincorporated community, so very old records may be limited.
Pre-1927 Records
Florida did not collect statewide marriage data before June 6, 1927. Marriages from that earlier period are only recorded at the county level. For Princeton, that means pre-1927 records would be in old Miami-Dade County courthouse files, church records, and family Bibles. The clerk can direct researchers to the right archive and the State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee can help locate older documents that are not online.
State Archives
The State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee holds historical county records including some marriage records. Researchers can visit the archives in person or search the online catalog. The archives hold indexes to many older marriage records and can help locate documents that are not online anywhere else. Some older records have been digitized and are available through the State Archives website.
Research Tips
Researchers looking for old Princeton marriage records should start with the statewide index on the Florida Department of Health website. If the marriage is not in the index, contact the Miami-Dade clerk and ask about pre-1927 records. Church records, cemetery records, and family Bibles often fill in gaps for early Florida families. The Family History Library run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also has microfilmed Florida marriage records that can be ordered online.
Office Locations and Hours
The Princeton area is served by Miami-Dade County and Florida state offices. Use the contact details below for current fees, hours, and procedures. Princeton residents travel to the downtown Miami clerk office or to one of the six district locations in the county for in-person service.
Miami-Dade County Clerk
Address: Overtown Transit Village South, 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: miamidadeclerk.gov.
Florida Department of Health
Address: Bureau of Vital Records, P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042. Phone: 904-359-6900. Website: floridahealth.gov/certificates-records. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. The state office handles mail and online orders for all Florida counties.
Frequently Asked Questions
People looking for Princeton marriage records often ask about license costs, waiting periods, online searches, and certified copies. The questions below cover the most common issues for Princeton residents, family researchers, and people who need legal proof of a past marriage. Each answer is based on current Florida law and county procedures as of 2026.
How much does a Princeton marriage license cost in 2026?
The standard marriage license fee in Miami-Dade County is $86 in 2026. Couples who complete an approved Florida premarital course within one year of applying pay a reduced fee of $61 under Florida Statute 741.0305. A civil ceremony by the clerk costs $30 extra. Cash and major credit cards are accepted, but personal checks are not accepted for any marriage service in the clerk’s office.
Is there a waiting period for a Princeton marriage license?
Florida residents wait three days between the license issue date and the ceremony. Out-of-state residents skip the wait. Florida residents who finish an approved premarital course within one year before applying also skip the wait. The license is valid for 60 days from the issue date. If the ceremony does not happen in time, the couple must apply and pay again for a new license.
Can I search Princeton marriage records for free online?
Yes. The Miami-Dade Online Marriage License Bureau database covers 1971 to the present and is free to view. The Florida Department of Health also has a free statewide marriage index that covers June 6, 1927 to the present. Both databases let you search by name. Certified copies cost extra through either office, but basic searches and viewable records are free to use online.
How do I get a certified copy of a Princeton marriage certificate?
You can order a certified copy online through the Miami-Dade clerk’s portal, in person at the clerk’s office, or by mail. The first certified copy costs $9 from the county and $5 from the state. State copies can also be ordered through VitalChek for an extra service fee. Bring a valid photo ID and the full names of both spouses if you apply in person at the clerk’s office.
Are Princeton marriage records public?
Yes. Miami-Dade County marriage records are public under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Anyone can request a copy as long as they meet basic eligibility rules. Social Security numbers and other sensitive details are redacted from public copies. Confidential records require a court order under Section 119.071 for cases such as sealed adoption files or protected persons.
What if my marriage is older than 1971?
Records from before 1971 are not in the Miami-Dade online database. Contact the Miami-Dade clerk by phone at 786-469-2400 for help. Marriages from June 6, 1927 onward are in the Florida statewide index. Marriages before that date only exist at the county level, in church records, or in family documents. The State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee holds historical indexes for older records.
Can I get married online in Princeton?
No. Florida law requires both partners to appear in person at the clerk’s office to apply for a license. The ceremony itself can be performed by an ordained minister, judge, clerk, deputy clerk, or Florida notary public, but the license application must be in person. Online-only applications are not accepted by the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court or any other Florida clerk.