Sun City Center City Florida marriage records are kept by the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court in Tampa. This retirement community sits in southern Hillsborough County, about 25 miles south of downtown Tampa.
Couples who live in Sun City Center apply for marriage licenses and request copies of records through the county courthouse on Twiggs Street in Tampa.
Where to Get Sun City Center Marriage Records
Marriage records for Sun City Center fall under Hillsborough County. The county clerk handles all marriage licenses and certified copies. The Florida Department of Health in Jacksonville keeps statewide records from June 1927 to the present. For older records, only the county clerk has files.
Hillsborough County Clerk of Court
The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court is the main office for Sun City Center marriage records. The office sits inside the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse at 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602. The clerk records marriage licenses, files signed licenses after the wedding, and issues certified copies to the public. Phone lines stay open at (813) 276-8100 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
Couples can apply for a marriage license at this office. Both partners must appear together. After the wedding, the officiant returns the signed license to this office for filing. Once filed, the record becomes a public document that anyone can request.
Florida Department of Health Office
The Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics holds statewide Florida marriage records from June 6, 1927, forward. The office sits at 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Phone support runs at (904) 359-6900. The state office issues certified copies for marriages recorded anywhere in Florida after that 1927 start date.
The state office works well for marriages that took place in other Florida counties. It also helps when the exact county is unknown. Sun City Center residents with local marriages usually find the county clerk faster and cheaper than the state route.
Online Search Tools
The Hillsborough County Clerk runs a free online search tool on its website at hillsclerk.com. Users can search by name, year, and document type. The Florida Department of Health also runs a state records search at floridahealth.gov. VitalChek, a private vendor, processes online orders at vitalchek.com for an extra fee.
Marriage License Rules for Sun City Center
Sun City Center couples follow Florida state law and Hillsborough County rules when applying for a marriage license. Florida law allows any two adults to marry, with no waiting period for non-residents. Florida residents face a three-day wait unless they complete an approved premarital course.
Who Can Apply
Any couple age 18 or older can apply. Both partners must show up in person together. Minors between 17 and 18 need parental consent and a court order. No one under 17 can marry in Florida. Florida does not require blood tests for marriage licenses as of 2026.
Couples do not need to live in Florida. Tourists and snowbirds can apply in any Florida county. Sun City Center attracts many seasonal residents who marry locally during winter months.
Documents You Need to Bring
Both partners must bring a valid photo ID. A driver license, passport, military ID, or state-issued identification card all work. Each person also needs to know their Social Security number. The clerk does not keep the SSN on the public record but uses it for identity checks.
If either partner was married before, proof that the prior marriage ended is required. A final divorce decree with a court stamp works. A death certificate works for widowed applicants. The document must show the exact date the prior marriage ended.
Fees and Costs in 2026
The marriage license fee in Hillsborough County runs $86.00 in 2026. Couples who finish an approved premarital course within the last 12 months pay a reduced fee of $61.00. The course also removes the three-day waiting period for Florida residents.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage license (no course) | $86.00 | Includes 3-day Florida waiting period |
| Marriage license (with course) | $61.00 | Course required within 12 months |
| Civil ceremony at clerk office | $30.00 | Cash or credit card only |
| Duplicate marriage license copy | $30.00 | Same event, second copy |
| Certified marriage record (first copy) | $5.00 | Standard state fee |
| Additional certified copies (same order) | $4.00 each | Order at the same time |
| Per-year search fee (unknown date) | $2.00 or more | Charged when exact year is missing |
Cash and credit cards work at the clerk office. Personal checks are not accepted for marriage license fees.
How to Search Marriage Records by Name
Marriage records in Florida are public under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Anyone can search the records by name. Certified copies cost a small fee, but looking up records online stays free.
Free Search Methods
The Hillsborough County Clerk website has a free online search at hillsclerk.com. Users enter a last name and first name. The search returns index entries with the year of marriage and document number. No fee applies for browsing search results.
The Florida Department of Health also runs a statewide search at floridahealth.gov. The state database covers marriages from 1927 forward. The state search works for any Florida county, not just Hillsborough. Sun City Center residents with older family ties across Florida find this tool useful for genealogy.
Paid Certified Copy Requests
Certified copies come with a raised state seal and serve as legal proof of marriage. Banks, courts, and government agencies require certified copies for name changes, insurance, and benefits. The first certified copy costs $5.00. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $4.00.
Requests can be made in person at the Tampa courthouse, by mail, or online through VitalChek. VitalChek adds a $15.00 processing fee plus shipping. Mail orders take two to four weeks. In-person orders at the clerk window finish the same day.
Florida Marriage Records by County
Florida runs marriage records through each county clerk. Sun City Center sits in Hillsborough County, but couples often need records from other counties. Marriage records by county searches help when the wedding happened somewhere else in Florida.
Hillsborough County Records
Hillsborough County holds all Sun City Center marriage records. The county clerk database goes back to the 1800s for early Tampa marriages. The clerk office stores older records in paper files. Recent records from 1990 forward sit in a digital database with scanned images of the original documents.
Other Major Florida Counties
Florida has 67 counties. Each one keeps its own marriage records. The largest counties by population handle the most requests. Records can be ordered from any county clerk in the state.
| County | Main Office Location | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough County | Tampa | (813) 276-8100 |
| Orange County | Orlando | (407) 836-2000 |
| Miami-Dade County | Miami | (305) 275-1155 |
| Broward County | Fort Lauderdale | (954) 831-4000 |
| Duval County | Jacksonville | (904) 255-2000 |
| Palm Beach County | West Palm Beach | (561) 355-2996 |
| Pinellas County | Clearwater | (727) 464-3000 |
| Lee County | Fort Myers | (239) 533-5000 |
Genealogy and Historical Marriage Records
Marriage records help people build family trees. Sun City Center has many retirees who research their family history. Florida marriage records from the 1800s and early 1900s often contain the parents’ names, birthplaces, and ages of the bride and groom.
Records Before 1927
The state of Florida did not start collecting marriage records until June 6, 1927. Marriages before that date sit only with the county clerk where the wedding took place. Hillsborough County has paper files for marriages going back to the 1840s when the county was first formed.
Pre-1927 records often sit in bound ledgers. The clerk staff pulls these ledgers by hand for each request. Researchers should expect longer wait times for older records. Some pre-1927 records have been scanned and posted on the clerk website.
Building Your Family Tree
Marriage records show the full names of the bride and groom, their ages at the time of marriage, their birthplaces, and the names of their parents. These details help family tree researchers link generations. Marriage records also show the date of the marriage and the name of the officiant.
For best results, search marriage records alongside census records, birth records, and death records. Florida marriage records from the 1920s forward are easier to find because the state started keeping a central index. Older Florida marriage records require a visit or a written request to the county clerk where the marriage took place.
Premarital Course Providers in Hillsborough County
Florida residents who complete an approved premarital course save $25.00 on the marriage license fee. The course also removes the three-day waiting period. Approved providers in the Tampa Bay area serve Sun City Center residents.
Course Topics and Length
The premarital course covers communication skills, money matters, conflict resolution, and family planning. The course takes about four hours to finish. Both partners must attend together. Each person receives a certificate of completion with a state-issued provider code.
Approved Providers Near Sun City Center
Hillsborough County keeps a current list of approved premarital course providers on the clerk website. Providers include licensed counselors, clergy, and online courses. Online courses are allowed under Florida law. The certificate must list the provider number and the date of completion.
After the Wedding: Recording the License
The signed marriage license must reach the county clerk within 10 days of the wedding. The officiant who performs the ceremony handles this step. The officiant signs the license, adds their title and license number, and sends the document back to the clerk office.
Once the clerk receives the signed license, staff record the marriage in the county database. The record then moves to the state database in Jacksonville. The full process from wedding day to state registration takes about 60 days. Sun City Center couples should wait at least two months before ordering a certified copy from the state.
Officiants Who Can Perform Weddings in Florida
Florida law lists who can perform a wedding ceremony. Ordained ministers, rabbis, and priests of any faith can officiate. Judges, court clerks, deputy clerks, and notaries public can also perform the ceremony. The officiant must be at least 18 years old and registered with the county clerk where the marriage takes place.
Some Florida officiants register through the Hillsborough County Clerk before performing a Sun City Center wedding. Visitors from out of state can still officiate if they meet the requirements and register in advance.
Confidential Protections for Sensitive Records
Florida marriage records are public documents. The clerk removes Social Security numbers and other sensitive data from public copies. People who face domestic violence, stalking, or identity theft can ask the clerk about confidentiality protections under Florida law.
Confidential records stay sealed from public search. Only the people named on the record, their lawyers, and certain courts can view sealed marriage records. The applicant must show proof of the safety concern. A judge reviews the request and decides whether to seal the record.
Contact Information for Sun City Center Marriage Records
Sun City Center residents should contact the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court for marriage records. The office handles in-person requests, mail orders, and phone questions. The Florida Department of Health handles statewide records from 1927 forward.
Hillsborough County Clerk of Court
George E. Edgecomb Courthouse
800 East Twiggs Street
Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: (813) 276-8100
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Website: https://www.hillsclerk.com/
Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics
1217 Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 359-6900
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Website: https://www.floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/marriage-certificates
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common topics about Sun City Center marriage records. Each answer gives clear facts based on Florida law and Hillsborough County rules in 2026. These answers help couples, family researchers, and legal users get the records they need.
How long does it take to get a certified marriage certificate?
Certified copies ordered in person at the Hillsborough County Clerk office in Tampa come back the same day. Mail orders take two to four weeks. Orders through VitalChek take five to seven business days plus shipping time. Sun City Center residents driving to Tampa can get a certified copy in under two hours, including the 35-minute drive each way.
Can I get married in Sun City Center without a Florida ID?
Yes. Florida does not require state residency for a marriage license. Tourists, visitors, and snowbirds can marry in Sun City Center with any valid photo ID from their home state or country. A passport, driver license, or military ID all work. Out-of-state visitors also skip the three-day Florida waiting period.
What if I do not know the exact year of the marriage?
The clerk charges a per-year search fee when the year is unknown. The clerk staff searches five years at a time for a small extra fee. If the search covers more than five years, the fee goes up. Florida law allows the clerk to refuse a search when the date range is too wide. A narrower date range speeds up the search and lowers the cost.
Are Sun City Center marriage records available from 1927 onward?
Yes. The Florida Department of Health holds statewide Florida marriage records from June 6, 1927, to the present. The state database covers all 67 Florida counties, including Hillsborough. Older Sun City Center marriages before 1927 sit only with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court in paper files.
Can I verify a Florida marriage certificate online?
Florida marriage certificates come with a raised state seal and a registrar signature. The Hillsborough County Clerk issues certified copies that courts and federal agencies accept. Some agencies also accept the state-issued security paper from the Florida Department of Health. The clerk can verify a certified copy by phone or email if the certificate number is provided.
How do I order a Sun City Center marriage record by mail?
Send a written request to the Hillsborough County Clerk at 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602. Include both full names, the approximate year of marriage, and a check or money order for the search and copy fees. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mail. Mail orders take two to four weeks. The clerk returns the certified copy by regular mail unless the requester includes extra postage for faster shipping.
What information shows up on a Florida marriage record?
A Florida marriage record shows the full names of both spouses, their ages at the time of marriage, their birthplaces, and the date of the wedding. The record also lists the county where the marriage license was issued, the name of the officiant, and the date the license was filed with the clerk. Pre-1927 records often include the parents’ names of both spouses, which helps with genealogy research.