Town ‘n’ Country is a census-designated place in Hillsborough County, Florida. Residents who need marriage records must work with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court.
All marriage licenses, marriage certificates, and certified copies for this area go through the main clerk office in downtown Tampa. This page explains where to apply, how to search old records, how to get certified copies, and how to fix common problems with marriage documents.
About Town ‘n’ Country and Marriage Records
Town ‘n’ Country sits in western Hillsborough County along Tampa Bay. The area covers about 25 square miles and has a population near 85,000. As a census-designated place, it has no city government of its own. Hillsborough County handles all local services, including marriage licenses, marriage certificates, and certified copies.
Where Town ‘n’ Country Is Located
Town ‘n’ Country borders Tampa to the east and Oldsmar to the north. The area sits between Tampa International Airport and the Gulf coast. The community has no separate city hall, so county offices serve every resident need. Marriage records follow this same rule, and all paperwork is filed with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court.
Why the County Clerk Handles All Records
Florida law gives county clerks the duty to issue marriage licenses and keep marriage records. The state Office of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville keeps a separate statewide index. Both systems work together to serve people who live in Town ‘n’ Country, and either office can provide a certified copy on request.
How to Apply for a Marriage License
Couples who want to marry in Town ‘n’ Country must apply at the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court. The main office sits at the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa. The clerk accepts applications Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The drive from Town ‘n’ Country takes about 15 minutes east on the Veterans Expressway and I-275.
Who Must Appear in Person
Both people must show up at the clerk window together. Florida does not allow one person to apply alone. If one partner cannot attend right away, the application must wait. Some couples use a power of attorney for limited tasks, but the license application itself needs both people present with a valid photo ID.
Documents You Need to Bring
Bring a valid photo ID for each applicant. Accepted forms include a driver license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. Both people must know their Social Security numbers. If either person was married before, bring the final divorce judgment, annulment papers, or death certificate of the former spouse. The clerk will ask for the exact date the prior marriage ended.
Current License Fees and Costs
The standard marriage license fee in Florida is $86. Couples who complete an approved premarital course pay $61 instead. The course certificate must come from a registered Florida provider and stay valid for one year. The clerk office accepts cash, credit card, debit card, and money order. Personal checks are not accepted for marriage licenses.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard marriage license | $86 |
| License with premarital course | $61 |
| Clerk wedding ceremony | $30 |
| Replacement license | $30 |
| First certified copy | $5 |
| Each extra certified copy | $4 |
| Apostille from Florida Department of State | $10 |
The 3-Day Waiting Period Explained
Florida has a three-day waiting period between the license issue date and the ceremony date. Florida residents who did not take a premarital course must wait three full days. Non-Florida residents skip this waiting period and can marry the same day. The waiting period drops for residents who complete an approved course. The license itself stays valid for 60 days from the issue date. If unused within 60 days, the couple must apply and pay again.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
Florida Statute 741.07 lists who can officiate a wedding. The list includes ordained clergy, all judges, retired judges, court clerks, deputy clerks, and Florida notaries public. The officiant signs the license after the ceremony and returns it to the clerk within 10 days. A marriage by someone not on this list is not legally valid in Florida, and the record will not be accepted.
How to Search Marriage Records
Marriage records in Florida are public under state law. Anyone can search the index without paying a fee. Certified copies cost money, but the search itself is free at both the county and state level. Town ‘n’ Country residents have three main search options that cover both recent and older records.
Free Search Through the County Clerk
The Hillsborough County Clerk keeps a marriage index that covers all marriages recorded in the county. You can search by name on the clerk website. The system shows marriage date, license number, and official record book. Free searches do not include a copy of the actual certificate, and you must order a certified copy if you need legal proof.
Statewide Records Through Florida Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville holds all statewide marriage records from June 1927 onward. The state index covers every Florida county in one place. You can order certified copies online through the state portal. Each certified copy costs $5 for the first one and $4 for each extra one in the same order.
Online Tools and Third-Party Services
VitalChek is the state-approved online vendor for Florida marriage records. The site lets you fill out a request, pay by card, and get the record mailed to your home. The base cost starts at $15 plus a processing fee. Third-party genealogy sites like Ancestry and FamilySearch also host Florida marriage indexes. These free sites help with family research but do not issue certified copies for legal use.
How to Get a Certified Copy
A certified copy has a raised seal or stamp from the issuing office. Banks, courts, and government agencies require this type for legal name changes, proof of marriage, and immigration paperwork. Town ‘n’ Country residents can get certified copies through three channels.
Request in Person at the Courthouse
Walk into the clerk office at 800 E. Twiggs St., Tampa, FL 33602. Fill out a request form at the counter. Show a valid photo ID. Pay the fee with cash or card. Most in-person requests are ready the same day, and the staff can answer questions about your specific record while you wait.
Request by Mail
Send a written request to the Hillsborough County Clerk. Include both full names on the marriage record, the date of marriage, the place of marriage, and a daytime phone number. Add a copy of your photo ID. Include a cashier check or money order for the fee. Mail it to P.O. Box 3339, Tampa, FL 33601. Allow 2 to 4 weeks for delivery by mail.
Request Online Through VitalChek
Go to the VitalChek website and pick Florida as the state. Fill in the names, date, and county. Pay the fee by credit card. The record arrives by mail in about 5 to 10 business days. Rush shipping is available for an extra charge. This option works well for people who live outside Florida or who cannot visit the courthouse.
Fees for Certified Copies
The clerk charges $5 for the first certified copy and $4 for each extra copy in the same order. VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the $5 base. The state Office of Vital Statistics charges the same $5 and $4 amounts. All fees are set by Florida law and do not vary by county, so the price is the same in any Florida clerk office.
Replacement of Lost or Damaged Marriage Certificates
Marriage certificates get lost, stained, or torn over time. Florida makes it simple to order a new certified copy at any time. The replacement copy carries the same legal weight as the original, and you can order as many copies as you need over the years.
When You Need a Replacement
Common reasons include a name change after marriage, immigration paperwork, insurance updates, Social Security updates, and property deeds. Some couples also need a replacement for a divorce filing or a passport name change. Banks often require a certified copy for joint accounts and loan applications. The clerk can issue a replacement at any time after the marriage is on file.
How Long the Replacement Takes
In-person requests at the courthouse finish in about 30 minutes. Mail requests take 2 to 4 weeks. Online orders through VitalChek take 5 to 10 business days. New marriages take 60 to 90 days before the record shows up at the state level. County records appear faster, often within 30 days of the ceremony, so recent marriages are best requested from the county clerk.
Florida Marriage Records for Genealogy and History
Family researchers often need old marriage records. Florida keeps two kinds of historical records: county-level records and the statewide index. Each serves a different research need, and serious researchers often check both sources to build a full family tree.
Records from 1927 to Present
The Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics holds a statewide marriage index starting June 1927. This index covers every Florida county. Researchers can search by name, year, and county. Each entry shows the marriage date, county, and certificate number. The state charges a fee for copies, but the search itself is free.
Records Before June 1927
Florida did not track marriages at the state level before June 1927. Older records sit only at the county level. For Town ‘n’ Country and the Tampa Bay area, contact the Hillsborough County Clerk or visit the Hillsborough County archives. Church records and family Bibles often hold the only proof of older marriages, and local libraries can help locate these sources.
Statewide Marriage Index
The statewide marriage index lets you search across every county at once. This tool helps when you do not know which county a marriage took place in. The index covers June 1927 through the present. Searches are free through the state portal, and the system returns results for any matching names in any Florida county during the chosen year range.
Special Situations and Edge Cases
Some requests need extra steps. These include international use, errors on certificates, sealed records, and name changes. Each situation has its own process and paperwork, so plan ahead if your case falls outside a simple request.
Marriage Certificate Apostille for International Use
An apostille is a certificate that proves your Florida marriage record is real for use in another country. Countries that signed the Hague Convention of 1961 accept apostilles. The Florida Department of State issues apostilles in Tallahassee. You must send the certified marriage copy and a request form. The fee is $10 per apostille. Mail the request to the Bureau of Authentications in Tallahassee.
Correcting Errors on a Marriage Certificate
Errors happen on marriage certificates. Common mistakes include misspelled names, wrong dates, and wrong locations. To fix an error, file a petition with the county clerk that issued the license. Some errors need a court order. The clerk can help you decide what paperwork you need. Most simple spelling errors can be fixed by the clerk with a sworn statement from the couple.
Confidential and Sealed Records
Some marriage records have limited public access. Records sealed by court order are not available to the public. Confidential records include those with personal safety concerns. People who qualify for confidential status can file a request with the clerk. The clerk removes Social Security numbers and other sensitive data from public copies before sharing them.
Records After Divorce or Name Change
A divorce does not erase or change a marriage record. The record stays on file forever as a public document. A name change after marriage needs a separate court order or Social Security update. The marriage certificate serves as proof of the former name. Banks and agencies accept a certified copy for legal name changes on accounts and government IDs.
Hillsborough County Clerk Contact Details
For marriage licenses, marriage records, and certified copies in Town ‘n’ Country, contact the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court. The main office sits at the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse in Tampa and serves all of Hillsborough County. Use the details below for in-person visits, phone calls, and mail requests.
Main Office Location and Hours
Office Address: 800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3339, Tampa, FL 33601. Phone: (813) 276-8100. Website: www.hillsclerk.com. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed on weekends and federal holidays. Free parking is available in the courthouse garage for visitors.
Statewide Records Office
For statewide records from June 1927 onward, contact the Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics. Address: 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Phone: (904) 359-6900. Website: www.floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/marriage-certificates. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Mail requests should include a self-addressed stamped envelope for faster delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common requests from Town ‘n’ Country residents. Each answer gives the direct steps and current fees based on Florida law as of 2026. Read through the section that matches your need before contacting the clerk office. The answers below cover timing, citizenship, search methods, appointments, notaries, and out-of-state marriages.
How Long to Get a Marriage Certificate
New marriages in Town ‘n’ Country take 60 to 90 days to show up in the statewide system. The county clerk records the marriage after the officiant returns the signed license. The clerk then sends the data to the state Office of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. For recent marriages, request your certified copy from the county clerk first. The state system takes longer because of the data transfer step. In-person requests at the courthouse finish in about 30 minutes. Mail requests take 2 to 4 weeks. Online orders through VitalChek arrive in 5 to 10 business days. Old records from years ago are already in both systems and arrive much faster, often within one week by mail or the same day in person.
Can Non-Citizens Get a Marriage Record?
Yes. Florida marriage records are public under state law. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to request a certified copy. The clerk accepts requests from anyone who can show a valid photo ID. Immigrants often need a certified copy for adjustment of status, work permits, and family-based visas. For international use, add an apostille from the Florida Department of State. Send the certified copy and the apostille request form together to Tallahassee. Some embassies require an extra translation step. Check the rules of the destination country before mailing anything, and allow extra time for the full process.
What if I Do Not Know the Exact Marriage Date?
The clerk can still search by name. Provide the full legal name of both spouses, the county where the marriage took place, and a year range. The clerk index shows all matches in that range. You can order a certified copy once you spot the right entry. For very old records before 1927, contact the county archives or the local library. Church records can help fill in missing dates. Some genealogy databases also let you search by spouse name and rough year, and Ancestry.com holds many Florida marriage records from the state index.
Are Florida Marriage Records Public for Free?
Yes. Anyone can search the marriage index without paying a fee. The county clerk offers a free online search tool on the website. The statewide index through the Florida Department of Health is also free to search. Fees only apply when you order a certified copy of the actual document. The fee is $5 for the first copy and $4 for each extra copy in the same order. Online services like VitalChek add a service charge on top of the state fee. Search results show the marriage date, county, and certificate number without any payment needed.
Do I Need an Appointment for a Marriage License?
The clerk office accepts walk-ins for marriage licenses. No appointment is needed during regular business hours. The office opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Both applicants must show up together at the counter. Plan for a wait of 30 to 60 minutes during peak hours, which tend to be midday on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Late afternoon is usually less busy than mid-morning. Fill out the online pre-application on the clerk website before your visit to save time at the counter.
Can a Florida Notary Perform a Marriage?
Yes. Florida notaries public can officiate a marriage under Florida Statute 741.07. The notary must be a current Florida notary in good standing with an active commission. The notary signs the marriage license after the ceremony and returns it to the clerk office within 10 days. Out-of-state notaries cannot perform a legal Florida marriage. The couple still needs a Florida marriage license from the county clerk before the ceremony takes place, and the license must not be expired.
What if My Spouse and I Were Married Outside Florida?
Out-of-state marriages are not on file with the Florida clerk office. To get a Florida certified copy, contact the state where the marriage took place. Each state has its own records office with similar rules. If you now live in Town ‘n’ Country, you can still order a copy from your home state by mail or online. Some states also accept walk-in requests at their local county clerk. The Florida clerk cannot issue a certified copy of an out-of-state marriage, and you must go through the state where the marriage license was issued.