To get married at the courthouse in Florida, both of you apply together for a marriage license at any Clerk of the Circuit Court office, wait three days if you’re Florida residents, then return for a short civil ceremony performed by a clerk or deputy clerk. Expect to spend around $116 total: $86 for the license and about $30 for the ceremony. Completing a state-approved premarital course drops the license fee to $61 and waives the waiting period. Out-of-state couples skip the wait automatically and can marry the same day.
Where to Apply for the License
You can apply at any Clerk of the Circuit Court office in Florida, regardless of where you live or where you plan to hold the ceremony. The license is valid statewide, so picking it up in one county and getting married in another is fine as long as the ceremony happens inside Florida and within the 60-day window printed on the license.1Lee County Clerk of Court, FL. Marriage Licenses and Ceremonies
Both parties have to appear in person, together. You cannot send a representative or handle the paperwork alone. Most clerk offices let you start the application online by entering your legal names, dates of birth, addresses, and Social Security numbers before you come in, which cuts your time at the counter but doesn’t replace the in-person visit.
What to Bring
Each person needs a current government-issued photo ID showing legal name, date of birth, and signature. A U.S. driver’s license, state ID card, U.S. passport, military ID, or alien registration card all work.2Duval Clerk of the Circuit Court. Marriage License
You’ll also need to provide your Social Security number. Non-citizens without an SSN can give an alien registration number from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services instead. If you have neither, call the clerk’s office first to confirm what documentation that specific office will accept.3Justia Law. Florida Code 741.04 – Issuance of Marriage License
If either of you was previously married, bring proof that marriage ended: a final divorce decree, annulment paperwork, or the death certificate of a former spouse. Have the date and method on hand even if the clerk doesn’t ask for the document itself.
Before issuing the license, the clerk will have both of you sign a statement acknowledging you’ve read a family law handbook produced by the Florida Bar covering the legal rights and responsibilities of marriage. Most offices make the handbook available online or at the counter. The clerk will not release the license without the signed acknowledgment.
Payment method matters too. Some counties take only cash; others accept credit cards or money orders. Check the clerk’s website before you go.
The Three-Day Wait and How to Skip It
Florida residents cannot use the license until the fourth day after it’s issued. The effective date is printed on the license itself.3Justia Law. Florida Code 741.04 – Issuance of Marriage License
Two groups bypass the wait. Non-Florida residents can marry the same day the license is issued. Florida residents who complete a state-approved premarital preparation course of at least four hours also skip the delay. The course must come from a provider registered with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and you need to present a valid certificate of completion when you apply.4The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 741.0305 – Marriage Fee Reduction for Completion of Premarital Preparation Course The same certificate also cuts $25 off the license fee, so for residents who want a same-day ceremony, the course pays off twice.
If neither exception fits and you have a genuine hardship, a county court judge can waive the waiting period for Florida residents who show good cause.
What It Costs
The standard marriage license fee in Florida is $86.5The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 741.01 – County Court Judge or Clerk of Circuit Court to Issue Marriage License With a valid premarital course certificate, it drops to $61.6Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. Marriage License Fees
The courthouse ceremony is a separate charge, typically $30 for a civil ceremony performed by a clerk or deputy clerk.1Lee County Clerk of Court, FL. Marriage Licenses and Ceremonies Budget a few extra dollars for certified copies of the marriage certificate afterward.
Age Rules
Both parties must be at least 18 to apply without additional steps. A 17-year-old can get a license only with written parental or legal guardian consent signed before a notary or similar official, and only if the older party is no more than two years older.3Justia Law. Florida Code 741.04 – Issuance of Marriage License Anyone under 17 cannot marry in Florida under any circumstance.
The Courthouse Ceremony
Most clerk offices want you to schedule a ceremony appointment, though some accept walk-ins when staffing allows. A clerk or deputy clerk performs the civil ceremony; judges and other judicial officers can also officiate.7The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 741.07 – Persons Authorized to Solemnize Matrimony
The ceremony is short, around three to five minutes. You’ll exchange the required vows, the officiant will pronounce you married, and that’s it. Most clerk offices let you add your own vows if you want. Some courthouses have a small dedicated ceremony room; others perform the service at the counter. Guests are usually welcome but space is tight, so ask your courthouse how many people it can accommodate.
Florida does not require witnesses at the ceremony. The license has spaces for two witness signatures, but filling them in is optional.8Escambia County Clerk of Court. Frequently Asked Questions Bring witnesses if you’d like them there, but their absence has no effect on the marriage’s legality.
After the Ceremony
Your license is valid for 60 days from issuance, and the expiration date is printed on it. Nobody can legally perform the ceremony after that date, so if the license expires you’ll have to apply and pay again.9Florida Senate. Florida Code 741.041 – Marriage License Application Valid for 60 Days
Once the officiant signs the license, it goes back to the clerk’s office for recording. At a courthouse wedding that handoff is immediate, and you’ll receive a certified copy. Order at least two or three while you’re there. You’ll need certified copies for name changes, insurance updates, bank accounts, and tax filings, and having extras saves a return trip when multiple agencies each want an original.
Changing Your Name
Marriage in Florida doesn’t change your legal name automatically. If you want to take your spouse’s last name or hyphenate, you have to update your records with each agency, starting with the Social Security Administration.
File Form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card) at ssa.gov or any local SSA office. Bring your certified marriage certificate and a current photo ID. The SSA requires originals or certified documents, not photocopies.10Social Security Administration. Application for a Social Security Card Your Social Security number stays the same. A new card arrives in about two weeks.
Update your driver’s license at a Florida DHSMV office next, then work through payroll, bank accounts, your passport, voter registration, and any professional licenses. Doing Social Security first matters because many other agencies verify your name against SSA records.