Thinking about tying the knot in the Sunshine State? Good choice! Florida makes it pretty straightforward to get hitched, but there are definitely things you should know before showing up at the courthouse. I remember when my cousin decided to get married in Key West last minute – they almost missed their cruise ship wedding because they didn't account for the waiting period!
Getting Your Florida Marriage License: Step-by-Step
This is where most couples start. You both need to show up in person at any Florida county clerk’s office. Don't even think about sending one person – they're strict about this. Bring:
- Photo IDs (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
- Social Security numbers (if you have them)
- $86-$93.50 in cash or card varies by county
Florida Marriage License Costs & Rules
| County | Fee | Cash Only? | Waiting Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | $93.50 | No (cards accepted) | 3 days |
| Broward | $86 | No | 3 days |
| Orange (Orlando) | $86 | No | 3 days |
| Hillsborough (Tampa) | $86 | No | 3 days |
| Monroe (Key West) | $93.50 | Yes | 3 days |
Oh that waiting period... it's what trips up most people. Florida requires a 3-day cooling off period after you get your license unless you complete a premarital course. The course knocks out the wait and saves you $32.50 on the license fee! Courses run about $25-$75 online.
Who can skip the waiting period completely? Military members with deployment orders – just show your papers at the clerk’s office. Foreign couples don't get this waiver though.
Required Documents Checklist
- Photo IDs: Driver's license, passport, or state ID (both partners)
- SSN: Must provide if you have one
- Divorce decrees: If divorced within last 30 days
- Parental consent: For 16-17 year olds (yes, it's legal with consent!)
Where to Actually Get Married in Florida
Now the fun part! You've got options:
County Clerk Weddings
Most clerk offices offer civil ceremonies for $30-$50. They're quick (10-15 minutes) and available in counties like:
- Duval (Jacksonville)
- Pinellas (St. Pete)
- Palm Beach
- Sarasota
- Lee (Fort Myers)
- Volusia (Daytona)
Bring two witnesses over 18. Some locations like Miami let you book online – others make you stand in line. Show up early!
Beach Weddings
Florida's most iconic option. Permit costs vary wildly:
| Location | Permit Fee | Best Time | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearwater Beach | $150 + insurance | Sunset hours | Parks & Rec Dept |
| South Beach (Miami) | $205/hour | Weekday mornings | Miami Beach Permitting |
| Siesta Key | $50 | Low tide | Sarasota County |
| Key West | Free (public beaches) | Sunrise | No permit needed |
Beach weddings sound romantic until you're fighting spring break crowds in Daytona. Consider sunrise ceremonies – way fewer people!
Theme Park Weddings
Disney and Universal offer packages but wow, the prices:
- Disney Escape: Starts at $5,000 (4 guests max)
- Universal: $7,500+ (includes park tickets)
- SeaWorld: $3,500 (dolphin encounters extra)
Honestly? Unless you're a die-hard fan, these feel overpriced. The "free" Cinderella Castle photo op requires park admission ($109+) and fighting tourist crowds.
Make It Legal: The Ceremony Rules
Florida requires two things to make your marriage valid:
- An officiant registered with Florida
- Two witnesses over 18 (they sign your license!)
Who can officiate? More options than you'd think:
- Judges and retired judges
- Ordained ministers (online ordination counts!)
- Notaries public (only for civil ceremonies)
- Commissioned officers of religious societies
Quick story: My friend ordained himself online for his brother's wedding. Took 15 minutes and cost $25. The clerk's office accepted it without blinking.
Destination Wedding Reality Check
For international couples: Florida doesn't require residency! But here's what they don't tell you:
- Your marriage license is only valid in Florida
- Translation requirements vary by home country
- Some nations require apostille certification ($15 per document)
Budget extra for document certification after returning home. That $93 license could cost $200+ in processing fees abroad.
After You Say "I Do"
Don't party too hard yet! Your officiant MUST return the signed license within 10 days. Where it gets tricky:
- Same county as issued: Automatically filed
- Different county: Officiant mails to issuing county
Wait times for certified copies:
| County | In-Person Pickup | Mail Time | Copy Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | Same day | 3-4 weeks | $10 each |
| Broward | 24-48 hours | 2-3 weeks | $8 each |
| Orange | Immediate | 10 days | $5 each |
Changing Your Name in Florida
This trips up so many people. Your marriage license isn't your name change document! Steps:
- Get certified marriage certificates ($10-$15 each)
- Update Social Security card (takes 2 weeks)
- Update driver's license (DMV wait averages 1-3 hours)
- Notify banks/creditors (send copies)
Total cost? About $150 in fees plus half a day at government offices. Start with Social Security – everything else requires that updated card.
FAQs: Real Questions From Real Couples
Q: Can foreigners get married in Florida?
Absolutely! No residency requirement. Bring passports instead of state IDs. Some counties ask for tourist visa details.
Q: Are blood tests required?
Nope! Florida eliminated this requirement years ago. Saved you $50 and a needle.
Q: How fast can we get married?
Fastest route: Complete premarital course → get license with no wait → find officiant same day. Possible in 24 hours!
Q: Do we need witnesses for courthouse weddings?
Yes, always! The clerk won't provide them. Bring friends or even friendly strangers (over 18).
Q: Is online ordination legal?
Completely valid in Florida. Universal Life Church and American Marriage Ministries are widely accepted.
Q: Can we marry on a cruise ship?
Tricky! If the ship leaves Florida waters, you need a Bahamian license. Marry in port before departure.
Pitfalls to Avoid
After helping plan dozens of Florida weddings, here's what goes wrong:
- Expired licenses: Valid only 60 days! I've seen couples miss their window.
- Non-flat fees: Some officiants charge travel fees - ask first!
- Parking nightmares: Downtown clerk offices? Arrive 45 minutes early for parking.
- Beach wind: Sandy marriage licenses aren't accepted. Bring clipboards!
My worst experience? Helping friends get married during spring break in Panama City. Took three hours to find parking at the clerk's office. Lesson learned - avoid tourist seasons!
Money-Saving Tips
Florida weddings don't have to break the bank:
- Discount licenses: Complete premarital course → save $32.50
- State park venues: $50 permits vs. $500+ hotel fees
- Off-season officiants: September rates drop 20%
- DIY documents: Skip "wedding packages" - file certificates yourself
Example: Courthouse ceremony ($50) + beach photos ($0) + nice dinner ($200) = married under $300!
County Clerk Directory
Essential contacts for your marriage license:
- Miami-Dade: 175 NW 1st Ave, Miami (305) 275-1155
- Broward: 201 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale (954) 831-6565
- Orange: 425 N Orange Ave, Orlando (407) 836-2067
- Hillsborough: 800 E Twiggs St, Tampa (813) 276-8100
- Duval: 330 E Bay St, Jacksonville (904) 255-2000
Call before visiting! Some require appointments since COVID. Nothing worse than driving to Tampa only to find out they're closed for training.
Special Situations
Florida handles unique cases differently:
| Situation | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | Parental consent + court order | Minimum age is 16 |
| Common-law marriage | Not recognized in Florida | Must get formal license |
| Same-sex marriage | Same as heterosexual couples | Fully legal since 2015 |
| Proxy marriage | Not allowed | Both must be present |
For pregnant minors: Florida requires judicial approval beyond parental consent. The process takes 2-3 weeks – plan accordingly!
Getting married in Florida should be easy and fun. Follow these steps, avoid the common mistakes, and you'll be sipping margaritas on the beach as newlyweds before you know it. Just watch out for those seagulls during beach ceremonies – they've stolen more than one wedding ring!
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