Weston City Florida marriage records are official documents that prove a marriage took place in Weston, Florida. These records are kept by the Broward County Clerk of Courts because Weston sits inside Broward County.
The state of Florida also stores copies through the Florida Department of Health. Anyone can request a copy of these records for legal purposes, family history research, or personal needs.
Weston became a city in 1996. Most marriage records from Weston exist in digital form because the city is newer than many other parts of Florida. Older records for the area that became Weston fall under general bail history. People who need a marriage certificate from Weston can get one from the county clerk office, by mail, or through an online service.
Where to Get Weston City Florida Marriage Records
Three main offices handle marriage records for Weston residents. The Broward County Clerk of Courts holds records for all marriages performed in the county. The Florida Department of Health keeps statewide marriage records dating back to 1927. Online search portals also let people look up basic marriage data.
Broward County Clerk of Courts
The Broward County Clerk of Courts serves as the main source for Weston marriage records. This office handles new license applications, marriage ceremonies, and record requests. The clerk office keeps records going back to 1915 for the whole county.
The main clerk office sits at the Central Courthouse, Midrise Building, 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Room 02460, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The phone number for the clerk office is (954) 831-7283. Weston is in the western part of the county, so the drive to Fort Lauderdale takes 30 to 45 minutes based on traffic.
Florida Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health runs the Office of Vital Statistics. This state office keeps marriage records from June 1927 forward for all Florida counties. People who need older records or want statewide searches often use this office.
The Florida Department of Health charges $5 for a search and one certified copy of a marriage certificate. Extra certified copies cost $4 each. Requests can be made by sending a form through the mail or by using an approved online vendor like VitalChek.
Online Search Portals
Online portals let people search for marriage records from home. The Broward County Clerk website has a free records search tool. People type in a name and see results showing both spouses and the marriage date.
VitalChek is another online option for marriage records in Florida. VitalChek adds a processing fee on top of the standard certificate cost. For Weston marriages, the county clerk is usually faster than the state office or third-party vendors.
How to Apply for a Marriage License in Weston
Couples who live in Weston must apply for a marriage license at the Broward County Clerk office in Fort Lauderdale. Both people must appear in person together. The clerk office does not process marriage license applications by mail or online.
Required Documents
Both applicants must bring a valid photo ID to the clerk office. Accepted forms of ID include a driver license, passport, state ID card, military ID, or alien registration card. U.S. citizens also need to give their Social Security number.
If either person was married before, they must give the date the prior marriage ended and how it ended. The clerk office will not issue a new license without this data. Common end-of-marriage reasons include dissolution, annulment, or death of a spouse.
- Valid photo ID for each person
- Social Security number for U.S. citizens
- Date and type of end for any prior marriage
- Payment for the license fee
Marriage License Fees
A standard marriage license in Broward County costs $86. Couples who finish an approved premarital preparation course pay a reduced fee of $61. The course must come from a provider approved by the state and must be finished within one year of the application date.
The clerk office accepts cash and credit cards. Personal checks are not accepted for marriage license fees. The clerk office can also perform the wedding ceremony for $30. Each certified copy of a marriage record costs $3.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage License (Standard) | $86 | Includes 3-day waiting period |
| Marriage License (With Course) | $61 | Course removes waiting period |
| Wedding Ceremony by clerk | $30 | Performed at clerk office |
| Certified Copy of Record | $3 | Per copy |
Waiting Period and License Validity
Florida residents must wait three days after getting a marriage license before the ceremony can take place. This waiting period does not apply to non-Florida residents. Couples who finish an approved premarital course have the three-day wait removed.
A Florida marriage license stays valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. The license works for ceremonies held anywhere in the state. After the ceremony, the officiant has 10 days to send the signed license back to the clerk office for recording.
How to Get a Certified Copy of a Marriage Certificate
Certified copies of marriage certificates are official documents with a raised seal or stamp. These copies are used for name changes, immigration applications, insurance, and legal matters. Three main methods exist for getting certified copies of Weston marriage certificates.
In-Person Requests
People can visit the Broward County Clerk office at 540 SE 3rd Avenue in Fort Lauderdale to request certified copies. The clerk office staff can search records on-site. Each certified copy costs $3. Payment by cash or credit card is accepted.
Walk-in service works best for people who need the record the same day. The clerk office staff will print the certified copy after locating the record in the system. For older records not yet in the digital system, staff can check paper archives on-site.
Mail Requests
Mail requests work for people who do not live near Fort Lauderdale. The request must include the full names of both spouses, the approximate date of the marriage, and a check or money order for $3 per record.
Mail requests should be sent to the Broward County Clerk of Courts at 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Processing times for mail requests run 7 to 14 business days based on clerk office workload.
Online Requests via VitalChek
VitalChek is the official third-party vendor for Florida vital records. People can order certified copies online through the VitalChek website. The service adds a processing fee on top of the standard $3 per copy cost.
Online orders through VitalChek take 5 to 10 business days for delivery. The certified copy arrives by mail. This option works well for people outside Florida who need a Florida marriage certificate.
Weston Marriage Records Search Methods
Searching for marriage records in Weston can be done by name, by county, or by year. Each search method helps people find specific records based on the data they have available.
Search by Name
The Broward County Clerk website has a free name search tool. People type in the last name of one spouse and browse the results. The search shows both spouses and the marriage date for each matching record.
Name searches work best when people know the exact spelling or close to it. Common name variations may need multiple searches. The clerk office staff can help with name searches at the front counter during business hours.
Search by County
County-based searches help people find all marriages recorded in Broward County. This search method works well for genealogy researchers who want to track all events in a specific area. The Broward County Clerk office holds all Weston marriage records since Weston falls inside the county.
Search by Year
Year-based searches narrow down results to a specific time period. People who know the approximate year of the marriage can use this method to speed up the search. The Broward County Clerk records database lets people filter by year range.
Historical and Genealogical Records
Genealogy researchers often need older marriage records to build family trees. Weston is a newer city, so most records filed there are in digital form. Older records for the Weston area fall under general bail history and are stored in paper archives at the county level.
Records Dating Back to 1915
The Broward County Clerk of Courts holds marriage records dating back to 1915. Broward County was created in 1915, so the clerk office marks that year as the start of county-level record keeping. Records before 1915 may exist in archives from old Dade County or Palm Beach County.
Records from 1915 to the present are searchable through the clerk office online portal. Paper records for older marriages exist in the clerk office archives. Staff can pull these records during business hours for in-person requests.
Florida State Archives
The Florida State Archives holds historical vital records for research purposes. Researchers can visit the archives in Tallahassee or request copies through the mail. The archives contain marriage records, census data, and other historical documents.
Florida Marriage Laws and Legal Requirements
Florida marriage laws set rules for who can marry, who can perform the ceremony, and what documents couples need. These laws apply to all Florida residents, including those in Weston.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
Florida law allows certain people to perform marriage ceremonies. Authorized officiants include judges, ordained ministers, clerks and their deputies, and Florida notaries public. The officiant must sign the marriage license after the ceremony.
After the ceremony, the officiant has 10 days to send the signed license to the clerk office. The clerk office records the marriage and makes the certificate available for certified copy requests.
Age Requirements
Both parties must be at least 18 years old to marry in Florida without parental consent. People aged 16 or 17 can marry with written consent from both parents or legal guardians. The consent form must be notarized and presented to the clerk office.
People under 16 can only marry with a court order. A judge must approve the marriage based on special circumstances. These cases are rare and require legal review.
Prior Marriage Disclosure
Florida law requires people to disclose all prior marriages on the license application. The disclosure must include the date the prior marriage ended and how it ended. The clerk office uses this data to prevent bigamy and protect the legal rights of all parties.
People who lie about prior marriages on the application can face legal penalties. The clerk office verifies the data through state records when possible. Accurate disclosure protects the validity of the new marriage.
Common Reasons to Get a Marriage Record
People request marriage records for many different reasons. The most common reasons include name changes, immigration paperwork, insurance, and legal matters. Each purpose may require a specific number of certified copies.
Name Changes
Name changes after marriage require a certified copy of the marriage certificate. The Social Security Administration, DMV, banks, and other agencies need the certified copy to update records. Most people need at least two certified copies for a full name change.
Immigration Purposes
Immigration applications often require a certified copy of the marriage certificate. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) asks for this document when adjusting status based on marriage. The certified copy must be recent and unaltered.
Insurance and Legal Matters
Health insurance, life insurance, and retirement benefits often require proof of marriage. Legal matters like property ownership and inheritance also need certified marriage records. Lawyers and insurance agents can tell applicants how many copies they need.
Official Broward County Clerk Contact Information
Weston residents can contact the Broward County Clerk of Courts for all marriage record needs. The main office is located at 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The phone number for the clerk office is (954) 831-7283. The official website is https://www.browardclerk.org/Divisions/Marriage. Walk-in service only, no appointments needed for marriage license applications.
The Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics handles statewide marriage records. Their website is https://www.floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/marriage-certificates. The state office processes requests by mail and through VitalChek for online orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers common questions about Weston City Florida marriage records. These questions cover search methods, fees, processing times, and legal requirements. Each answer gives clear facts based on current Florida law and clerk office procedures as of 2026.
How long does it take to get a certified copy of a Weston marriage certificate?
The processing time for a certified copy of a Weston marriage certificate depends on the request method. In-person requests at the Broward County Clerk office are processed the same day. Mail requests take 7 to 14 business days. Online orders through VitalChek take 5 to 10 business days for delivery.
For recent marriages, the county clerk is faster than the state office. The Florida Department of Health takes about 60 days to get new records into its system after the ceremony. The Broward County Clerk usually has the record ready within 10 days of the officiant filing the signed license.
Can anyone request a Weston marriage record?
Yes, anyone can request a Weston marriage record under Florida public records laws. Florida Statutes Chapter 119 makes marriage records public once they are filed. The clerk office removes sensitive data like Social Security numbers before releasing the record.
The public can search for free on the clerk office website. Certified copies cost $3 each and require payment at the time of request. No special relationship to the couple is needed to request a certified copy.
What if I cannot find the marriage record online?
Records that do not appear online may be in paper archives at the clerk office. The Broward County Clerk holds records back to 1915 in both digital and paper form. Older records may need a manual search by clerk office staff.
Call the clerk office at (954) 831-7283 to ask about a specific record. Staff can check the system and paper archives during business hours. In-person visits to 540 SE 3rd Avenue in Fort Lauderdale give the best results for hard-to-find records.
Are Weston marriage records the same as Broward County records?
Yes, Weston marriage records are the same as Broward County records because Weston sits inside Broward County. The Broward County Clerk of Courts handles all marriage records for cities inside the county, including Weston. There are no separate Weston-specific marriage records.
This setup means Weston residents use the same clerk office, fees, and procedures as residents of Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, and other Broward County cities. The marriage license fee of $86 applies to all county residents.
How do I get a Florida marriage certificate if I got married outside Florida?
Florida marriage certificates only cover marriages that took place in Florida. Marriages performed outside Florida fall under the vital records office of the state where the marriage occurred. People who got married in another state must contact that state’s vital records office for a certified copy.
For example, a marriage in Georgia requires a request to the Georgia vital records office. The clerk office in Broward County only handles Florida marriages. Out-of-state marriage records are not available through the Broward County Clerk or the Florida Department of Health.
Can I get a marriage license online in Weston?
No, marriage license applications cannot be done online in Weston or anywhere in Florida. Both applicants must appear in person at the clerk office together. The clerk office needs to verify each person’s ID and collect the application data face-to-face.
Some steps in the process can be done online, like the premarital preparation course. The course removes the three-day waiting period and cuts the license fee from $86 to $61. Approved course providers offer both online and in-person options.
What documents do I need to change my name after marriage in Weston?
Changing a name after marriage in Weston requires a certified copy of the marriage certificate. The Social Security Administration needs the certified copy to update the Social Security card. The Florida DMV needs the certified copy to update the driver license or state ID.
Banks, employers, insurance companies, and other agencies also need certified copies for name changes. Most people need at least two certified copies. Additional copies cost $3 each from the Broward County Clerk office. The state office charges $4 for extra copies beyond the first one included in the $5 search fee.