Marriage Licenses and Ceremonies
You may obtain a marriage license at any of these locations:
- 425 North Orange Avenue, Room 355, Orlando
- 450 North Lakemont Avenue, Winter Park
- 1111 North Rock Springs Road, Apopka
- 475 West Story Road, Ocoee
- 684 S. Goldenrod Road, Pinar Plaza, Orlando
Who may apply for a marriage license?
- Any male or female age 18 or over.
- A minor whose parents are deceased and no guardian is appointed.
- Minors, who under oath, swear that they are parents or expectant
parents of a child. In addition, a written statement of a licensed
physician must verify the pregnancy. When the fact of pregnancy
is verified by the written statement of a licensed physician,
the county court judge may, in his/her discretion, issue a license
to marry.
- A previously married minor.
- A person age 16 or 17 with parental or guardian consent.
Is consent of both parents required?
Yes, unless the parents are divorced and the custody and control
of the child is placed in one parent. Then only the parent having
such custody and control will be required to give the written consent.
All written consents must be acknowledged (notarized). If the consent
form is completed in front of a Deputy Clerk, proper identification
is required. If divorced, the parent must present a certified copy
of the divorce papers.
What do I need to apply for a marriage license?
- To expedite the licensing process, please download the Marriage
License Information
Sheet (PDF) , complete it, and bring it with you to the Marriage
License Department.
- If the parties applying for a Marriage License have children together that were born in the State of Florida they must fill out Form
DH743A. This form requires notarization and can be notarized at the Clerk’s Office for a fee of $7.00.
- Both parties must come to the Clerk's office to apply together.
- Each party must show a valid driver's license, a valid Florida
State identification, a valid passport or valid Military identification.
- Both parties must provide their Social Security numbers.
- If either party has been previously married, the party must
provide the date his or her last marriage ended.
- Couples who reside in the State need to provide a certificate
of completion of a premarital preparation course. If couples do
not provide the certificate, the effective date of their license
will be delayed three days.
- Couples are required by law to read a handbook supplied by the
Clerk and sign a statement acknowledging that they have read the
handbook before applying for the license. This can be done the
same day as applying for the license.
Is there a waiting period for issuance of the
license?
Not for couples who reside in the State of Florida and attend a
premarital preparation course. These couples must provide a certificate
to the Clerk upon making application. If the couple are state residents
and do not attend a premarital preparation course, the effective
date of the license is delayed 3 three days. Exceptions to the delayed
effective date (3-day delay) are non-Florida residents. For individuals
asserting hardship of the wait, a county court judge may waive the
delayed effective date for good cause.
When do I take the premarital preparation course?
The premarital preparation course cannot be taken more than 1 year
prior to the date of the application for a marriage license.
How do I find a course provider?
The Clerk of Court has a registry
of providers.
Who is qualified to be a provider?
- A psychologist licensed under chapter 490.
- A clinical social worker licensed under chapter 491.
- A marriage and family therapist licensed under chapter 491.
- A mental health counselor licensed under chapter 491.
- An official representative of a religious institution, which
is recognized under s496.404(20), if the representative has relevant
training.
- Any other provider designated by a judicial circuit, but not
limited to, school counselors who are certified to offer such
courses.
Are blood tests and physical exams required?
No. The law requiring these tests was abolished October 1, 1986.
Must I apply for a marriage license in the
county where I live or in the county where the ceremony is going
to be held?
No. A marriage license may be applied for and solemnized in any
Florida county.
Where can I apply for a marriage license in
Orange County?
A marriage license may be obtained Monday through Friday, except
holidays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the following offices of the
Clerk of the Court:
- 425 North Orange Avenue, Room 355, Orlando;
- 450 North Lakemont Avenue, Winter Park;
- 1111 North Rock Springs Road, Apopka; and
- 475 West Story Road, Ocoee
A marriage license may be obtained Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday, except holidays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the following office of the
Clerk of the Court:
- 684 S. Goldenrod Road, Pinar Plaza, Orlando
How long is a marriage license valid once it
is issued?
The marriage must be solemnized within sixty (60) days of issuance
of the marriage license.
Who may perform marriage ceremonies?
The following officials are authorized by Florida law to perform
marriage ceremonies:
- A regularly ordained minister or other ordained clergy;
- Elders in communion with some church;
- All judicial officers (judges) of the State of Florida;
- Clerks of the Circuit Courts and their deputized employees;
and
- Notaries Public of the State of Florida.
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.
Who is a "regularly ordained minister"?
A "regularly ordained minister" is a minister who has
been recognized in the manner required by the regulations of his
or her respective religious denomination to perform marriage ceremonies.
May a marriage be solemnized without a license?
No. Section 741.08, Florida Statutes, states that the party solemnizing
the marriage shall require a properly issued license before performing
the ceremony.
When and who should return the license to the
Clerk?
A marriage cannot be officially recorded until the license is returned
to the Clerk. It should be returned within 10 days after the wedding.
The party who performed the marriage is responsible for returning
the completed license.
Can I be married in the Clerk's office?
Yes. Deputy clerks are authorized to perform marriage ceremonies.
Ceremonies are held between the
hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m at
the Winter Park, Apopka and Ocoee offices. The Orlando office will
conduct ceremonies from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The fee for this service is set by Florida Statute and is $30.00.
Ceremonies are performed on a first come, first served basis at the
following locations
- 425 North Orange Avenue, Room 355, Orlando
- 450 North Lakemont Avenue, Winter Park
- 1111 North Rock Springs Road, Apopka
- 475 West Story Road, Ocoee
A marriage license may be obtained Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday, except holidays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the following office of the
Clerk of the Court:
- 684 S. Goldenrod Road, Pinar Plaza, Orlando
What is the fee for a marriage license?
The fee for a marriage license is $93.50. The following statutes
require all clerks in the State of Florida to charge this fee
for
the issuance of a marriage license:
- F. S. 28.24 ($30.00)
- F. S. 741.01(1) ($2.00)
- F. S. 741.01(2) ($25.00)
- F. S. 741.01(3) ($7.50)
- F. S. 741.01(4) ($25.00)
- F. S. 741.02 ($4.00)
- F. S. 741.01(05) The fee for each marriage license issued in
the state shall be reduced by the sum of $32.50 for all couples
who present valid certificates of completion of a premarital preparation
course from a qualified course provider registered under s. 741.0305(5)
for a course taken no more than 1 year prior to the date of application
for a marriage license.
If you are married in the Clerk's office by a deputy clerk,
an additional $30.00 fee is required.
How can I pay for my marriage license?
You may pay for your license with cash, money order, cashiers check,
or with a MasterCard, Discover or American Express credit card. Checks are not accepted.
Where can I get a copy or certified copy of
my marriage license?
For Orange County licenses received on or after March 1, 1998,
you may obtain a copy for $1.00 or certified copy for $3.00 from:
Orange County Comptroller's Office
Attn: Official Records Department
P.O. Box 38
Orlando, FL 32802
Physical Address:
109 E. Church St. Suite 300
Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 836-5115
For Orange County licenses received before March 1, 1998, you may
obtain a copy for $1.00 or certified copy for $3.00 from any of
the Clerk of Court locations in Orange County: 425 North
Orange Avenue, Room 150, Orlando, FL 32801. If a search
is required, there is a charge of $2.00. This fee is payable to the Clerk of the Court.
Please include the names of the bride and groom in addition to the
years requested to be researched.
If you are unable to determine where the license was obtained,
you can contact The Department of Health, Division of Vital Statistics.
This agency receives licenses for all of the State of Florida. You
can write to them at:
Department of Health
Division of Vital Statistics
Post Office Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
(904) 359-6955
Name Changes on Other Documents
If your marriage means a change in name or address, remember to
notify the following agencies:
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Division
of Driver Licenses
- Local Social Security Office
- Supervisor of Elections (voter registration)
- Military Reserve Commanding Officer
You should also keep in mind that you have probably named family
members as beneficiaries or joint owners of bank accounts, insurance
policies, or employment benefits. You may wish to make your spouse
the new beneficiary or joint owner.
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