You can legally marry in Florida without living there, and the state actually makes it easier for visitors than for locals. Getting married in Florida as a non-resident means no residency requirement, no citizenship requirement, and no three-day waiting period between applying for the license and holding the ceremony.1Office of Attorney General. Marriage License and Residency2Florida Senate. Florida Statutes 741.04 – Issuance of Marriage License If you arrive prepared, the whole legal process can be finished in a single trip, sometimes in a single day.
Who Qualifies
Both parties must be at least 18. Neither of you has to live in Florida or be a U.S. citizen.1Office of Attorney General. Marriage License and Residency A license issued in any Florida county is valid for a ceremony held in any other Florida county, so you can apply where it’s convenient and marry where you want the photos.3Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller. Marriage Licenses
What to Bring to the Clerk
You’ll both need a valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport. U.S. citizens and permanent residents provide a Social Security number (the physical card isn’t required). Non-U.S. citizens can provide either a Social Security number or an alien registration number. If you have neither, bring your passport and any other identification you can offer.2Florida Senate. Florida Statutes 741.04 – Issuance of Marriage License
If either of you was previously married, know the exact date the prior marriage ended by divorce, death, or annulment.4Citrus County Clerk of Courts. Marriage Licenses You usually don’t need to produce the decree or certificate, since you’ll swear to the date under oath.5Walton County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller. Marriage License If the divorce was finalized in the last month or so, pack a certified copy anyway; some clerks ask.
Many counties post the application online. Filling it in before you show up saves time at the counter.
Applying for the License
Both of you have to appear together, in person, at a Clerk of the Circuit Court office.3Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller. Marriage Licenses Any county works. Most offices take walk-ins during business hours, but some now require appointments, so check the specific clerk’s website first.
Fees vary by county and generally run between $86 and $93.50.6Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and Comptroller. Marriage License FAQ If both of you complete a registered four-hour premarital preparation course, the fee drops by $25, and that discount is available to non-residents.7Osceola County Clerk of Court. Waiting Period and Discounted License Payment methods differ by county, so confirm what’s accepted. Once the clerk reviews your documents and you swear the oath, the license is printed on the spot.
Why There’s No Waiting Period for You
Florida residents who skip the premarital course have to wait three days between applying and using the license. Clerks are required to grant an exception to this delay for non-Florida residents.2Florida Senate. Florida Statutes 741.04 – Issuance of Marriage License Your license is valid the moment it’s issued. That’s what makes a same-day ceremony possible and why you don’t need to make a separate trip just to file paperwork.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
Florida authorizes a wide range of officiants: ordained ministers, elders, or other clergy of any denomination; active and retired judges; clerks of the circuit court; and Florida notaries public.8The Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes 741.07 – Persons Authorized to Solemnize Matrimony Notaries are the easiest option for destination weddings, and state law caps a notary’s ceremony fee at $30.9Florida Governor’s Office. Laws Related to Solemnizing Marriage
The officiant has to be physically present when you exchange vows; video ceremonies don’t qualify. Florida doesn’t require witnesses, though you can have them if you want.10Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. Frequently Asked Questions
How Long the License Is Good For
The license expires 60 days after issuance. If the ceremony doesn’t happen inside that window, the license is void and you’ll have to pay for a new one.11The Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes 741.041 – Marriage License Application Valid for 60 Days Most non-resident couples marry within days of applying, but if you’re picking up the license on one trip and holding the wedding on another, plan around the 60-day limit.
After the Ceremony
Your officiant completes the license by recording the ceremony date and location and signing it. They then have 10 days to return the signed license to the clerk’s office that issued it.12Florida Senate. Florida Statutes 741.08 – Marriage Not to Be Solemnized Without a License Once the clerk records it, the marriage is part of the county’s public records.
Confirm your officiant knows the 10-day filing deadline. A late return doesn’t undo the marriage, but it can slow down anything that depends on a certified copy. If you’re flying out right after the wedding, hand the officiant the correct clerk’s office address and a clear plan for returning the license.
Getting Certified Copies
The clerk will usually mail a certified copy to the address you provided on the application. Additional copies for name changes, insurance, or bank updates can be ordered from the issuing county, generally around $7 to $9 each. Many counties let you order online after the fact.
If You Need Your Marriage Recognized Abroad
If your home country belongs to the Hague Apostille Convention, you may need an apostille on your marriage certificate. Only the Florida Secretary of State can issue one. The fee is $10 per document, or $20 if the document was certified by a clerk of court, because a certificate of incumbency is added.13Florida Department of State. Authentications (Apostilles and Notarial Certifications) Mail processing runs roughly one to two weeks, so build that into your timeline.
Whether another country ultimately recognizes your Florida marriage is up to that country’s own law. Some governments require you to register the foreign marriage locally within a set period after returning home. Check with your consulate or embassy before the trip so you know which documents to bring back and by when.