Sarasota City Florida marriage records are kept by the Sarasota County Clerk of Court and the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. Couples apply for a license at the county courthouse on Main Street in downtown Sarasota.
After the ceremony, signed licenses are sent to the state office in Jacksonville. This page explains who can request these records, what they cost, and how to order certified copies online or by mail.
Where Sarasota City Florida Marriage Records Are Kept
Marriage records for Sarasota City are split between two offices. The county clerk handles all Sarasota County licenses and ceremonies. The state office stores certified copies of every Florida marriage from 1927 forward. Records before 1927 stay only in the county files. Knowing which office covers your situation saves time and money.
Sarasota County Clerk of Court
The Sarasota County Clerk of Court issues marriage licenses and stores marriage documents for the entire county. The office runs from the historic courthouse at 2000 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34237. Staff process new applications, perform civil ceremonies, and mail out certified copies each business day. Their official website at www.sarasotaclerk.com hosts a free name search for public use. Phone support is available at (941) 861-7400 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics sits under the Florida Department of Health. The state office stores every marriage certificate from June 6, 1927 onward. People who need a Florida marriage certificate for a marriage that happened in another county often use this state office. Records from 1900 to 1950 are often available through state indexes. The Jacksonville office can be reached at (904) 359-6900 during normal business hours.
Records Before 1927 Stay at the County
Florida began statewide marriage registration on June 6, 1927. Marriages before that date exist only in the Sarasota County Clerk of Court files. Many old Sarasota records sit in handwritten ledgers or on microfilm rolls. Genealogists working on Florida marriage records genealogy often must visit the county office in person. Pre-1927 files cannot be ordered through the state portal.
How to Get a Marriage License in Sarasota
Couples who want to marry in Sarasota County start at the clerk’s office. The process usually takes 20 to 40 minutes at the counter. Both people must show up together. Florida residents face a three-day wait. Out-of-state couples skip the wait and can use the license right away.
Who Must Apply in Person
Florida law requires both people applying for a marriage license to appear together at the Sarasota courthouse. One person cannot apply for both. Walk-ins are welcome during normal office hours. Appointments can be made on the clerk website to cut down on wait time. Same-sex couples go through the same process as any other applicants. Sarasota issues several hundred licenses each month to both residents and destination wedding visitors.
Documents You Must Bring
Each applicant must bring valid photo identification. The clerk accepts Florida driver licenses, state ID cards, U.S. passports, U.S. military IDs, alien registration cards, and naturalization certificates. U.S. citizens must also provide a Social Security number. If either party was married before, they must know the exact date the prior marriage ended. The clerk may ask for proof of divorce, annulment, or death in some cases.
- Photo ID for both applicants
- Social Security numbers (U.S. citizens)
- Date each prior marriage ended, if any
- Cash, credit card, or money order to cover the fee
License Fees and Waiting Period
A standard Sarasota marriage license costs $86. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. Florida residents wait three days before they can use the license. Out-of-state applicants skip the wait period. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk for recording within 10 days.
Premarital Course Discount
Couples who finish a state-approved premarital course pay $61 instead of $86. The course also removes the three-day waiting period for Florida residents. Florida Statute 741.0305 lists all approved course providers. The course must be completed within one year before the license is issued. Online courses from approved providers are accepted.
Who Can Officiate Your Ceremony
Florida Statute 741.07 lists who can officiate a marriage in Sarasota. Ordained ministers, all judges, clerks of court, deputy clerks, and Florida notaries public can perform the ceremony. Witnesses are not legally required in Florida, but most couples include one or two. The officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk’s office within 10 days of the ceremony.
How to Search Sarasota Marriage Records Online
Several online tools help people search Sarasota marriage records by name, year, or county. Some searches are free. Certified copies always carry a fee. This section explains each option and what it covers.
Free Search on the Clerk Website
The Sarasota County Clerk of Court website has a free marriage records search tool. Anyone can search by first name, last name, or both names. The tool covers digital records from June 6, 1927 forward. Records that are not yet digitized need a call to (941) 861-7400. Public use of the search tool does not require an account.
Florida Marriage Records by Name
Searches by spouse name work on both the Sarasota clerk website and the Florida Department of Health portal. The state portal accepts searches for any marriage that took place in Florida after 1927. Results usually show the full name of each spouse, the county of issuance, and the license number. The clerk site shows extra details like the officiant and filing date.
State-Level Search Through Florida Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health runs the official state marriage records service at www.floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/marriage-certificates. A state search costs $5 for the first certified copy and $4 for each extra copy. Orders go through the third-party vendor VitalChek, which adds a $15 fee plus $7 in processing charges. The state office can take four to six weeks to mail certified copies.
Historical Records From 1900 to 1950
Florida marriage records from 1900 to 1950 fall into two groups. Marriages from 1900 to 1927 stay only at the Sarasota County level. Marriages from 1927 to 1950 are stored both at the county and at the state office. FamilySearch and Ancestry.com have indexed many of these old records. Certified legal copies still must come from the clerk or the state.
Getting a Certified Copy of a Florida Marriage Certificate
A certified copy has a raised or stamped seal and serves as legal proof of marriage. Banks, the Social Security Administration, immigration officers, and foreign governments ask for certified copies. Sarasota offers three ways to request certified copies: in person, by mail, or online.
In-Person Requests at the Sarasota Courthouse
Anyone can walk into the Sarasota County Clerk of Court at 2000 Main Street and request a certified copy. The clerk prints certified copies on the spot. Bring a photo ID and the full names of both spouses. The first certified copy costs $9, and each extra copy costs $7. The clerk accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. Personal checks are not accepted.
Mail Requests and What to Include
Mail requests go to the Sarasota County Clerk of Court at the Main Street address. The request must list both full names, the date or year of the marriage, and a return address. Include a cashier’s check or money order for the certified copy fee. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests take about two weeks to process and return.
Apostille Service for Foreign Use
Some countries require an apostille before they accept a Florida marriage certificate. The Florida Department of State in Tallahassee issues apostilles for Sarasota records. Send the original certified copy, a $10 fee per document, and a self-addressed envelope. Processing averages seven to ten business days. Apostilles cannot be ordered at the Sarasota courthouse.
Marriage Record Corrections and Name Changes
Errors on a marriage certificate or a legal name change after marriage both need paperwork. Sarasota County handles both services through the clerk’s office. State offices process corrections only for records they have on file.
How to Fix an Error on a Certificate
Corrections to a marriage certificate need a court order plus a $30 amendment fee. The court order must list the exact change needed. Common fixes include misspelled names, wrong date of birth, and incorrect location of the ceremony. Once the court signs off, the clerk updates the record and sends the change to the state office.
Legal Name Change After Marriage
A marriage certificate is legal proof of a name change in Florida. People who want to change their last name after marriage bring the certified certificate to the Social Security Administration first. Then they update their driver license at a Florida DMV office. Banks, employers, and the passport agency each have their own name change forms.
Sarasota Marriage Records Fee Breakdown
Fees follow Florida law and stay the same across most counties. The table below lists the current cost for each common service. Costs are accurate as of September 2026.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage license (standard) | $86 |
| Marriage license with premarital course | $61 |
| Civil ceremony by the clerk | $30 |
| Certified copy (first copy) | $9 |
| Certified copy (each extra copy) | $7 |
| Year search fee (if year is unknown) | $2 per year |
| Duplicate license | $30 |
| Amendment with court order | $30 |
| Apostille (state of Florida) | $10 |
| State records search (first certified copy) | $5 |
| State records search (each extra copy) | $4 |
Other Florida counties follow the same fee structure for licenses and certified copies. Orange County Florida marriage records, Miami-Dade County marriage records, and Hillsborough County Florida marriage records all use these same state-set prices. Mailing fees and vendor processing fees are extra and depend on the request method.
Contact Offices for Sarasota Marriage Records
Couples and researchers can reach the right office using the contact details below. The county office handles Sarasota-only records. The state office handles records from any Florida county after 1927.
Sarasota County Clerk of Court
Address: 2000 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34237
Phone: (941) 861-7400
Website: www.sarasotaclerk.com
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
Address: 1217 North Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 359-6900
Website: www.floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/marriage-certificates
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sarasota Marriage Records
The questions below cover the most common topics people ask about Sarasota marriage records. Each answer points to the right office, fee, or form. Call the clerk or the state office if your question does not appear here.
How long does it take to get a Florida marriage certificate after the ceremony?
After the officiant returns the signed license to the Sarasota County Clerk of Court, the clerk records the marriage and sends a copy to the state. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics usually takes about 60 days to add a new record to its files. People who need proof faster can order a certified copy from the Sarasota County Clerk of Court instead of the state office. The county clerk can issue certified copies within a few days once the ceremony is filed in the county system.
Can I search Sarasota marriage records by spouse name?
Yes. The Sarasota County Clerk of Court website offers a free Florida marriage records search by spouse name at sarasotaclerk.com. The state portal at floridahealth.gov also accepts name searches for any Florida marriage after 1927. Results usually include the full names of both spouses, the county of issuance, and the license number. No account is needed for public searches.
Do I need an apostille on my Florida marriage certificate?
An apostille is only required for countries that signed the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961. Most European and many Asian countries require one. The Florida Department of State in Tallahassee issues apostilles for Sarasota records. Send the original certified copy, the apostille fee of $10 per document, and a self-addressed envelope. Processing takes seven to ten business days, and rush service is available for an extra fee.
Are Sarasota marriage records public?
Yes, Sarasota marriage records are open to the public under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Anyone can search or request a copy. Sensitive details such as Social Security numbers and signatures are redacted from public records. Confidential filing under Section 119.071 is only allowed in narrow cases such as records of minors or people in danger.
What if I do not know the year of the marriage?
The Sarasota County Clerk charges a $2 per year searched fee when the year is unknown. Both full names help the clerk staff find the right file. Staff check handwritten ledgers, microfilm, and digital indexes to locate the marriage date. Online name searches on the clerk site also show full date ranges for each match.
Can non-residents apply for a Sarasota marriage license?
Yes. Out-of-state couples can apply for a license at the Sarasota County courthouse. The three-day waiting period does not apply to non-Florida residents. The license fee is the same $86, or $61 with a premarital course certificate. Couples from outside the United States should also check apostille rules with their home country before they travel back with the certified copy.
What is the difference between a Florida marriage license and a marriage certificate?
A marriage license is the application you fill out before the wedding. A marriage certificate is the official proof that the marriage took place, signed by the officiant and filed with the clerk. The license comes first. The certificate is created after the ceremony and returned to the clerk for recording. Banks, courts, and federal agencies ask for certified copies of the certificate, not the license itself.