To get married in Florida, you and your partner need to (1) qualify under Florida’s marriage laws, (2) get a valid marriage license from a Florida clerk of court, and (3) have a proper ceremony with an authorized officiant who signs and returns the license so it can be recorded.

How to Get Married in Florida (Quick Scoop Guide)

1. Basic legal requirements

  • You can marry in Florida even if you are not a Florida resident; there is no residency or citizenship requirement for a Florida marriage license.
  • Both parties generally must be at least 18 years old to marry without special conditions.
  • Seventeen-year-olds may marry only if both are at least 17, the older partner is not more than two years older, and written parental or guardian consent (or a judicial waiver) is provided. Anyone under 17 cannot marry in Florida under any circumstances.
  • You must be legally free to marry: not currently married to someone else (no bigamy), not closely related by blood in a prohibited way, and mentally able to consent. Marriages that violate bigamy or close-blood rules are invalid and can be annulled.

Think of it like a contract: Florida wants to be sure both of you are old enough, free to marry, and genuinely agreeing to this commitment.

2. Documents and ID you’ll need

When you go to apply for your license at a Florida clerk of court, both of you must appear in person and show proper identification.

You’ll typically need:

  • Valid government photo ID showing legal name and date of birth
    • Examples: driver’s license, state ID, passport, military ID, permanent resident card, some accepted foreign IDs (like Matricula or foreign passport).
  • Social Security number for U.S. citizens (you may not always need the card itself, but the number is required by many counties).
  • For non‑U.S. citizens, a passport number or similar foreign ID number.
  • If either of you has been married before, you must provide the date your previous marriage ended (by divorce, annulment, or death of spouse); some counties ask for documentation.

If you have children together who were born in Florida, some counties require an additional form (such as “Affirmation of Children Born in Florida”).

3. Step‑by‑step: Getting your Florida marriage license

Here’s the core process most couples follow.

Step 1 – Choose a Florida county clerk

  • You can apply in any Florida county, and the license is valid anywhere in the state; it does not matter where you actually hold the ceremony.
  • Check the specific clerk’s website (for example, Miami‑Dade, Duval, Lee) for current fees, office hours, and whether appointments or online pre‑applications are offered.

Step 2 – Go together, in person

  • Both parties must appear in person at the clerk’s office and apply at the same time.
  • Bring your IDs and any required information about prior marriages and children.

Step 3 – Fill out the license application

  • You’ll provide: full legal names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers (if applicable), and other basic details.
  • You will be asked to affirm that you’re legally free to marry and that all information is true.

Step 4 – Pay the license fee (and possible waiting period issues)

  • Each county sets its own fee, but you pay it at the clerk’s office when applying.
  • Florida often has a waiting period for Florida residents if they don’t complete an approved premarital course; non‑residents typically have no waiting period and can marry as soon as they receive the license.
  • Many counties and guides point out that taking a state‑approved premarital preparation course can:
    • Reduce the license fee.
    • Waive or shorten the waiting period.

Imagine it like a small “pre‑flight training” that saves you money and lets you “take off” faster toward your wedding day.

Step 5 – Receive your marriage license

  • Your Florida marriage license is typically valid for a fixed period (commonly up to 60 days) from the date of issuance; you must have the ceremony within that window.
  • Keep the license safe: you must give it to your officiant at the ceremony so they can complete their part.

4. The ceremony: officiant and wording

To turn that license into a legal marriage, you must have a ceremony performed by an authorized officiant in Florida.

Authorized officiants include:

  • Ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, and similar religious leaders.
  • Judges and certain judicial officers.
  • Clerks of court and Florida notaries public (many couples choose a courthouse or notary ceremony).

During the ceremony:

  • You and your partner must both freely consent to marry—no coercion, fraud, or mental incapacity.
  • The officiant typically has you exchange vows or formally state that you take each other as spouses, then pronounces you married.

After the ceremony:

  • The officiant fills out their portion of the marriage license and ensures it is returned to the issuing clerk’s office for recording (often within a few days).
  • Once recorded, you can obtain certified copies as legal proof of marriage for name changes, benefits, etc.

5. Extra tips, trends, and “gotchas”

Florida elopements and destination weddings

  • Florida is a popular destination for beach weddings, elopements, and courthouse ceremonies, especially in cities like Miami and coastal counties.
  • Since there is no residency requirement, couples from other states and countries often fly in, get their license, and hold a small ceremony at a courthouse, park, or beach.

Local variations

  • While the core legal rules are statewide, details vary by county , including:
    • Exact fee amounts.
    • Required forms (e.g., for children).
    • Whether appointments are needed or walk‑ins are allowed.
  • Many planning or officiant sites now share checklists and FAQs specifically for “getting married in Florida,” reflecting the recent interest in smooth, low‑stress planning.

When marriages can be annulled or considered invalid

  • If someone married without genuine consent (for example, due to coercion, certain types of fraud, or mental incapacity), the marriage may be eligible for annulment.
  • Failing to meet age rules or marrying when still legally married to another person can also make the union invalid.

6. Simple Florida marriage checklist (mini‑sections)

Before you go

  1. Confirm you both meet age and legal‑status requirements.
  1. Gather IDs, Social Security numbers (if applicable), and prior‑marriage info.
  1. Decide which county clerk’s office you’ll use and check its website for fees, hours, and any online pre‑application.
  1. Consider taking a state‑approved premarital course to save on fees and skip or shorten the waiting period.

License and ceremony

  1. Apply together at the clerk’s office, show ID, and complete the application.
  1. Pay the license fee and note any waiting period or expiration date.
  1. Plan your ceremony with an authorized officiant (judge, clerk, religious leader, or notary).
  1. Have the ceremony, sign the license, and make sure the officiant returns it for recording.

After the wedding

  1. Order certified copies of your recorded marriage certificate if you need them for name changes, immigration processes, or benefits.
  1. Keep at least one certified copy in a secure place.

Bottom line: to get married in Florida, you need to be legally eligible, apply together in person for a marriage license in any Florida county, then hold a ceremony with an authorized officiant and ensure your license is properly returned and recorded.

Note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.