St Lucie County Florida marriage records are official documents filed with the Clerk of Court in Fort Pierce, Florida. These records cover marriage licenses, marriage certificates, and indexes of every couple married in the county.
People who need a certified copy for legal use, who want to search a historical record, or who plan to apply for a new license all start at the St. Lucie County Clerk of Court. The office also performs civil ceremonies and stores paper records from before 1927 that the state does not hold. This page covers how to get records, current fees, legal requirements, and the Florida laws that control public access to these documents.
St Lucie County Clerk of Court
The St Lucie County Clerk of Court issues marriage licenses, performs civil ceremonies, and keeps all official marriage records for the county. The main office sits inside the St. Lucie County Courthouse in downtown Fort Pierce. Both people must visit the office in person together to apply for a license. The clerk reviews documents, collects fees, and issues the license the same day when all rules are met.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | St Lucie County Clerk of Court |
| Phone | (772) 462-6900 |
| Website | stlucieclerk.com |
| County Seat | Fort Pierce, Florida |
| Largest City | Port St. Lucie |
Where the Office Is Located
The courthouse stands at 201 South Indian River Drive in Fort Pierce. Free parking is available around the building. The clerk’s office accepts walk-in visitors during regular business hours. A phone call ahead of your visit can confirm wait times and what papers to bring.
Office Hours and Services
The clerk’s office opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office closes on weekends and Florida state holidays. The same office handles marriage licenses, certified copies of marriage certificates, and civil ceremonies. No appointment is needed for a marriage license, but arriving early in the day avoids longer lines near closing time.
How to Apply for a Marriage License
Couples who plan to marry in St Lucie County must apply for a license at the Clerk of Court. Florida law requires both people to appear in person at the same time. The clerk asks each person basic questions, collects the fee, and issues the license once all requirements are complete.
Documents You Need to Bring
Each applicant must bring a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport. U.S. citizens must give their Social Security number. Non-citizens can use a passport or other government-issued photo ID. If either person was married before, the exact date the last marriage ended must be known, whether by divorce, death, or annulment. The clerk does not always need the divorce papers, only the date.
- Valid photo ID for each applicant
- Social Security number for U.S. citizens
- Date the last marriage ended, if applicable
- Payment for the license fee
- Both applicants present at the same time
License Fees and Costs
The marriage license fee in St Lucie County is $86 without a premarital course. Couples who complete an approved Florida premarital preparation course pay a reduced fee of $61. The fee includes a $2 application charge and a $25 contribution to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. The clerk accepts cash, money orders, and most major credit or debit cards. A civil ceremony at the clerk office costs an extra $30.
Premarital Course and Waiting Period
Florida law requires a three-day waiting period between the license issue date and the ceremony for Florida residents. Couples who complete an approved premarital course within one year of applying skip this waiting period. Out-of-state residents do not face a waiting period. The course must come from a registered provider listed by the Florida Supreme Court.
After the License Is Issued
The license stays valid for 60 days from the date of issue. Couples can marry anywhere in Florida during this time using the same license. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk office. The clerk records the marriage, and the couple can request certified copies. State records are usually ready about 60 days after the clerk receives the signed license.
St Lucie County Marriage Records Online
Several online services help you search or order Florida marriage records. Local, state, and third-party websites each serve different needs. Some sites offer free name searches, while others handle certified copy orders for legal use.
State and Local Search Sites
The Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics holds marriage certificates from June 6, 1927 to the present for all counties, including St Lucie. Online orders go through VitalChek, the state’s approved vendor. The state fee is $15 plus a $7 VitalChek processing fee per copy. The St Lucie County Clerk website offers online search functions for recent records filed in the county.
My Florida County Records Portal
The My Florida County Records portal lets you search official records across many counties at once. This portal works well when you do not know which Florida county holds the record. The portal returns document images for many record types, including marriage records filed after a certain date. Access fees vary by county.
Florida State Archives
The Florida State Archives in Tallahassee holds historical marriage records that are no longer at the county level. Researchers use the archives for genealogy work and old family history searches. Some records date back to the early 1800s, before Florida became a state. The archives charge a small fee for copies and allow in-person visits by appointment.
Certified Copies and Certificates
Certified copies of marriage certificates work as legal proof of marriage for name changes, immigration, insurance, and other official matters. St Lucie County offers two main paths: order from the local clerk or order from the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville.
Request From the Local Clerk
The St Lucie County Clerk issues certified copies of marriages recorded in the county. The fee is set by Florida law, and the clerk can confirm the current amount by phone. Records from before June 1927 sit at the county level only, since the state did not start keeping marriage records until that date. Older records may be on microfilm or in paper files at the courthouse. The clerk’s office is the fastest source for recent St Lucie County marriages.
Order From the State Office
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville keeps marriage certificates from June 6, 1927 forward. The state fee is $5 for a search plus one certified copy. Each extra copy is $4. Mail orders go to P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042. Phone orders go through VitalChek at 1-877-550-7330. Computer records from 1970 forward take 3 to 5 business days to process.
| Source | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| St Lucie County Clerk | Varies by record type | Same day for in-person |
| Florida Vital Statistics | $5 search + $4 per extra copy | 3-5 business days |
| VitalChek Online | $15 state + $7 processing | 5-7 business days |
Florida Laws on Public Records
Florida has strong public records laws that apply to marriage records. Most marriage data in St Lucie County is open to anyone, with a few privacy limits. State statutes control both access and fees.
Chapter 119 and Marriage Records
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives the public the right to inspect and copy government records. Section 119.07 says any person can request records during reasonable hours without giving a reason. The clerk charges up to 15 cents per page for regular copies. Certified copies have a $1 minimum fee under state law, though local offices may set higher fees for marriage certificates.
What Information Stays Private
Section 119.071 protects certain personal data from public view. Social Security numbers and financial account details are redacted on public records. The names of both spouses, the marriage date, and the county where the license was issued remain public. Sensitive details on the marriage license, like a former spouse’s name, may stay private under the same statute.
Florida Statutes Chapter 741
Chapter 741 of the Florida Statutes covers marriage and family law. Section 741.0305 sets the rules for the premarital course and reduced fee. Section 741.04 lists what the couple must declare on the application. Section 741.041 sets the 60-day validity window for marriage licenses. Section 741.01 created the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Section 741.07 lists who can perform a Florida wedding, including judges, clerks, ministers, and notaries.
Records Before 1927
The state Bureau of Vital Statistics began keeping marriage records on June 6, 1927. Any marriage before that date exists only at the county level. St Lucie County formed in 1905, so some records go back more than 100 years. Researchers may need to visit the courthouse in person to view these older records, which often sit in ledgers or on microfilm.
Cities in St Lucie County
Two main cities sit inside St Lucie County. Both send residents to the same Clerk of Court office in Fort Pierce for marriage services.
Port St Lucie
Port St Lucie is the largest city in the county and one of the fastest-growing cities in Florida. Most couples who apply for a St Lucie County marriage license live in Port St Lucie. Residents travel to the Fort Pierce courthouse for license services and certified copies.
Fort Pierce
Fort Pierce is the county seat and home to the courthouse. The city sits along the Indian River Lagoon on Florida’s Treasure Coast. Fort Pierce hosts the clerk office that handles all marriage license and record requests for the county.
Nearby Counties With Clerk Offices
Three counties border St Lucie County. Each runs its own Clerk of Court office for marriage records. Residents who live near a border sometimes need to reach the right county clerk.
Indian River County
Indian River County sits north of St Lucie County along the Atlantic coast. The county seat is Vero Beach. The Indian River County Clerk of Court handles marriage licenses and records for that county.
Martin County
Martin County sits south of St Lucie County. Stuart is the county seat. The Martin County Clerk of Court issues marriage licenses and keeps records for that county.
Okeechobee County
Okeechobee County sits west of St Lucie County. Okeechobee is the county seat and a rural area. The Okeechobee County Clerk of Court serves residents there for marriage record needs.
Genealogy and Historical Research
Marriage records are a key source for family history research. They often contain names, ages, birthplaces, and parents’ names that do not appear in other public records.
How to Start a Search
Start with the names of both spouses, the rough marriage date, and the county where the marriage likely took place. The Florida State Archives holds many pre-1927 records. The St Lucie County Clerk can help with local records once a date range is set.
Free and Paid Research Sites
FamilySearch.org offers free indexes of Florida marriage records that link to images on the site. Ancestry.com and MyHeritage charge subscription fees but have larger indexed collections. These sites work best for finding the right county and date range before ordering official copies.
Contact Details and Office Hours
The St Lucie County Clerk of Court is the main office for marriage records in the county. Use the details below to reach the clerk or visit in person.
- Office: St Lucie County Clerk of Court
- Address: 201 South Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34950
- Phone: (772) 462-6900
- Website: stlucieclerk.com
- Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Map Link: maps.google.com/?q=St+Lucie+County+Clerk+of+Court+Fort+Pierce+FL
For state-level records, contact the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics at P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042. The state office phone line goes through VitalChek at 1-877-550-7330 for phone orders. Online state orders happen at vitalchek.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ section covers common questions about St Lucie County Florida marriage records, including license rules, fees, certified copies, and record searches. Each answer gives clear facts based on Florida law and current clerk office rules.
How long does it take to get a certified copy?
In-person requests at the St Lucie County Clerk are often completed the same day for records on file. State orders through VitalChek take 5 to 7 business days. Mail orders to the Jacksonville office take 3 to 5 business days for computer records from 1970 forward. Older paper records may take longer because staff must search by hand.
Can I apply for a marriage license online in St Lucie County?
No. Florida law requires both people to apply in person at the clerk office. Online services help you fill out parts of the application ahead of time, but both applicants must sign the application in front of a clerk. Bring valid photo IDs and any divorce or death records for prior marriages.
Are St Lucie County marriage records public?
Yes. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes makes most marriage records public. Anyone can search the indexes and request copies. Social Security numbers and certain financial details stay private under Section 119.071. Names, dates, and counties on the record remain open to the public.
What if I do not know the exact marriage date?
A search range of a few years helps the clerk narrow down the record. The clerk charges a $5 search fee through the state office even if no record is found. Free index searches on FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com help you find the right date range before you pay for an official search.
How much does a St Lucie County marriage license cost?
The license fee is $86 without a premarital course. Couples who complete an approved Florida premarital course within one year of applying pay $61. The clerk adds $30 for a civil ceremony at the office. Cash, money orders, and most credit or debit cards are accepted.
Can I get married the same day I apply for a license?
Florida residents face a three-day waiting period unless they take an approved premarital course. Out-of-state residents do not have a waiting period. Couples who complete the course can marry the same day they get the license, as long as the clerk has the certificate of course completion.
Where can I find historical marriage records before 1927?
The St Lucie County Clerk holds pre-1927 marriage records only at the county level. The Florida State Archives in Tallahassee holds some historical marriage records. Researchers can visit the archives by appointment or search online indexes at FamilySearch.org for free. Some older records may sit on microfilm at the courthouse.