A Florida notary marriage ceremony sample script needs only three legally essential moments: a question drawing a present-tense “I do” from each party, and a pronouncement declaring them married. Everything else — readings, rings, remarks — is optional. Here is a complete, ready-to-use script you can read as written or adapt.
Opening:
“We are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of [Name A] and [Name B].”
[Optional reading or personal remarks by the notary, couple, or guests.]
Declaration of intent (legally essential — ask each party separately):
“[Name A], do you take [Name B] to be your spouse?”
[Name A responds: “I do.”]
“[Name B], do you take [Name A] to be your spouse?”
[Name B responds: “I do.”]
[Optional ring exchange:]
“Please exchange rings as a symbol of your commitment.”
Each party may say: “With this ring, I marry you.”
Pronouncement (legally essential):
“By the authority vested in me by the State of Florida, I now pronounce you married.”
That closing line marks the moment the marriage takes legal effect. “Spouse and spouse,” “husband and wife,” or “partners in marriage” all work. Any phrasing is fine as long as it clearly declares the marriage accomplished.1Florida Department of State. Frequently Asked Questions – Marriage Ceremonies
What Florida Law Actually Requires
Most people overthink the ceremony. Florida does not mandate any particular form. According to the Florida Department of State, “any form of ceremony to solemnize a marriage that the parties choose ordinarily suffices, so long as there is an agreement by words of present assent.”1Florida Department of State. Frequently Asked Questions – Marriage Ceremonies
In plain terms, both people must say something out loud, in the present tense, showing they agree to be married right now. “I do” works. “I will” is technically future tense and best avoided as the sole expression of consent. There is no required reading, no mandated pronouncement formula, and no minimum length. A 30-second ceremony where both parties clearly say “I do” and the notary declares them married satisfies the law just as completely as a 45-minute production.
Two boundary points matter before you walk in. The notary must hold an active Florida commission; a lapsed commission means no authority to officiate, and Florida has no savings clause protecting a marriage performed by someone the couple mistakenly believed was still commissioned.2Florida Senate. Florida Code 741.07 – Persons Authorized to Solemnize Matrimony The notary must also be physically within Florida when the ceremony takes place.3The Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes 117.01 – Notaries Public A Florida-commissioned notary cannot produce a valid Florida marriage from a wedding in Georgia or on a cruise ship.
Check the License Before You Start
Inspect the marriage license carefully before the first word of the ceremony. Two dates matter most.
The effective date. If the couple did not complete a premarital preparation course, Florida residents face a three-day waiting period, and the license will say so in bold type.4Florida Senate. Florida Code 741.04 – Marriage License Requirements Performing the ceremony before the effective date means it happened too early. Non-residents are exempt from the waiting period.
The expiration date. The license expires 60 days after issuance, and the statute flatly prohibits anyone from performing a ceremony after that date.5The Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes 741.041 – Marriage License Application Valid for 60 Days If the couple misses the window, they need a new license.
Ask each person for a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, and confirm the names match what appears on the license. For non-citizens, a valid passport is standard, with a visa alongside it if available. Catching a name mismatch now avoids problems later when the couple uses their marriage certificate for insurance, taxes, or a name change. Any sections of the license the couple is responsible for completing should be filled in with black ink before the ceremony begins.6Executive Office of the Governor. Completing the Marriage Record
Completing and Returning the Paperwork
Once you have made the pronouncement, turn to the Certificate of Marriage section of the license. Fill it out in black ink. Record the date and specific location of the ceremony, then sign and print your name exactly as it appears on your commission. Affix your official notary seal.6Executive Office of the Governor. Completing the Marriage Record
Witnesses may sign the license if the couple wishes, but Florida law does not require witness signatures for a valid marriage. Many couples invite witnesses anyway for the personal touch and the extra documentation.
Return the certified license to the clerk of the circuit court that issued it within 10 days of the ceremony.7Florida Senate. Florida Code 741.08 – Marriage Not to Be Solemnized Without a License In person or by mail is fine. Missing this deadline creates real problems for the couple. Without a recorded certificate on file, they cannot get certified copies of their marriage record, which they need for name changes, insurance enrollment, tax filing, and more. Treat the 10-day window as a hard deadline.
What You Can Charge
Florida law allows a notary to charge the same fee as the clerk of the circuit court for performing a marriage ceremony, currently $30. You can charge less, or waive the fee entirely. Notaries who regularly officiate often charge separately for travel, rehearsal time, or customized ceremonies; those additional charges are a private agreement between the notary and the couple, not governed by the notary fee statute.
Common Mistakes That Derail the Ceremony
- Ceremony before the effective date. Florida residents who skip the premarital course face a three-day wait. Officiating inside those three days means the marriage happened before the license was effective.
- Expired license. The 60-day window is firm. If the couple misses it, they must apply and pay for a new license.
- Name mismatch. If the name on an ID does not match the name on the license, often after a prior name change, the clerk may need to reissue the license before the ceremony can proceed.
- Forgetting the seal. Your official seal must appear on the certificate. Arriving without your stamp means you cannot properly complete the paperwork.
- Late return. Holding the completed license past the 10-day return window leaves the couple with no official record of their marriage on file with the county.