Marriage Services
Registration is now open to get married for free on the sweetest day of the year!
This beloved community tradition is limited to 30 couples, and early registration is encouraged. Couples may register when applying for a marriage license at any Clerk’s office location and must complete both the license application and event registration by Wednesday, February 11.
View Marriage Licenses
View your license for free online. You can also download and save a copy of the license for your records.
Request a Certified Copy
Request a certified (official) copy of your marriage license using our records request portal. You will create an account with the portal and submit your request. A member of our team will then contact you to complete the process.
Marriage Licenses
Marriage in Florida is a three-part process. You must:
- Apply for a license with the Clerk of Courts,
- Perform the ceremony in the State of Florida, and
- Then record the license with the Clerk's office.
The entire process is completed in six easy steps, which are outlined below. A detailed FAQ section is also available in the right-hand column (if viewing from a desktop computer) or at the bottom of the page (if viewing on a mobile phone).
Please note: once couples complete the marriage application process, which includes visiting our office to sign the application, they must wait three days to get married unless they have completed a premarital course from a list of approved providers (see step 3). Non-Florida residents are exempt from any waiting period.
Print this checklist to help you prepare - English / Spanish
Apply for a License (Steps 1 through 4):
- Complete the Marriage Application Online: Couples must complete the online marriage application before visiting our office. Once submitted, the couple must appear in person within 90 days to complete the process. IMPORTANT! The three-day waiting period does not begin until after you visit the Clerk's office to complete the application.
- Read the Marriage Handbook: Read the Marriage Handbook prior to arriving at the Clerk’s office.
- Optional Premarital Course: Couples may attend a premarital course offered by an approved provider. The required 3-day waiting period is waived for couples who present a completion certificate from an approved provider. Completion of a premarital course also reduces the marriage license cost. Approved providers are available in our Premarital Course Providers Directory.
- Visit the Clerk's Office: Both parties must be present when applying for a marriage license. We do not offer appointments. Both must know their social security number and bring the following:
- An accepted form of identification:
- Driver’s license issued in the United States;
- Federal or state identification card; or
- Passport showing your name and date of birth
- If the applicants have a minor child in common born inside the state of Florida, an additional affidavit is required. This form is available in the office.
- A form of payment to cover marriage license fees. Accepted payment methods include cash or credit card. Accepted credit cards include American Express, Apple Pay, Discover, Google Pay, MasterCard, Samsung Pay, or Visa. Please note that we use a third party to process credit card transactions, and a service charge is applied to these transactions.
Service: Fee: License without a premarital course $86.00 License with proof of premarital course $61.00 Ceremony (optional) $30.00 Affirmation of a common child $7.00 Marriage certificate suitable for framing, without record search (optional) $7.00 Marriage certificate suitable for framing, with record search (optional) $9.00
- An accepted form of identification:
- Three (3) Day Waiting Period: Florida residents must wait three days to get married once the license is issued, unless the couple has attended a premarital course by an approved provider. See Step 3 for details about the courses. IMPORTANT! The three-day waiting period does not begin until after you visit the Clerk's office to complete the application.
Perform Ceremony (Step 6):
Ceremonies must be performed in the State of Florida and can be performed by:
All judicial officers (Judges) of the State of Florida
Clerks of Circuit Court and their deputies of the State of Florida
Elders in communion with some churches
Notaries Public of the State of Florida
A regularly ordained minister or other ordained clergy
In addition, the law provides that marriages may be performed among "Quakers" or "Friends", in the manner and form used or practiced in their societies
Enjoy the simplicity of a courthouse wedding! Marriage ceremonies can also be performed at the Clerk’s office for $30. Appointments are not available for courthouse weddings.
Record License (Step 7):
- The person performing the ceremony should complete the Certificate of Marriage and return the entire document to the Clerk’s office within 10 days after the marriage is solemnized. There is no official record of the marriage until after it has been returned to the Clerk’s office that issued it.
- Upon receipt of the returned license, the license will be recorded in the official records. The couple will receive one free certified copy. Other certified copies may be purchased. Certificates may be returned in person or by mail. You can also view and download non-certified copies of the license in our online official records viewer.
Amend a License:
Call 863-534-4000 if you find an error on your marriage license. Also, if the license was issued prior to January 31, 2007, there will be a 24-hour timeframe before the couple can come into the office to amend their license. There is a fee to amend a marriage license, which varies due to several factors. Contact our office for details about your particular case.
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Bartow
Physical Address
255 N. Broadway Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830-3912
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Lakeland
Physical Address
930 E. Parker St., Room 240
Lakeland, FL 33801-1929
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Northeast
Physical Address
200 Government Center Blvd.
Lake Alfred, FL 33850