The licence
You get it from a Florida County Clerk of Court. It does not have to be the county where the ceremony takes place, but the ceremony does have to be in Florida.
The licence is valid for 60 days. Collect it too early and it expires before the wedding; collect it too late and you may hit the waiting period.
The three-day wait, and how to skip it
Florida residents face a three-day waiting period between getting the licence and the ceremony. It is waived if both of you complete an approved premarital preparation course, which also reduces the licence fee.
Residents of other states and other countries generally have no waiting period, which is why so many couples marry here while visiting.
Who can marry you
Florida allows judges, clerks, members of the clergy and notaries public to solemnize marriages. A ceremony performed by a Notary Public is exactly as legal as one performed by a judge.
Whoever performs it completes the licence afterwards and returns it to the clerk within the period the law allows. The clerk then issues the marriage certificate, which is the document you will actually be asked for later.
What to bring on the day
- The valid, in-date licence.
- Photo identification for both of you.
- Witnesses, if you want them: Florida does not require any for the ceremony itself.
- Rings, vows and whoever you want present.
If one of you was married before
Bring the date the previous marriage ended. The clerk asks for it when issuing the licence, and getting it wrong delays the paperwork more than people expect.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a Notary Public legally marry us in Florida?
- Yes. Florida lists notaries public among those authorized to solemnize marriage.
- Do we need witnesses?
- Not for the ceremony under Florida law. Many couples include them anyway and have them sign.
- We live in another country. Is there a waiting period?
- Generally not for non-residents. The clerk confirms this when you apply.
- Will our marriage be recognized abroad?
- Usually, but the certificate often needs an apostille first. Ask the country where you will register it.