1. Who may apply for a marriage license?

2. Is consent of both parents required?

3. What do I need to apply for a marriage license?

4. Is there a waiting period for issuance of the license?

5. When do I take the premarital preparation course?

6. How do I find a course provider?

7. Who is qualified to be a provider?

8. Are blood tests and physical exams required?

9. Must I apply for a marriage license in the county where I live?

10. Where can I apply for a marriage license in Orange County?

11. How long is a marriage license valid once it is issued?

12. Who may perform marriage ceremonies?

13. Who is a "regularly ordained minister"?

14. May a marriage be solemnized without a license?

15. When and who should return the license to the Clerk?

16. Can I be married in the Clerk's office?

17. What is the fee for a marriage license?

18. How can I pay for my marriage license?

19. Where can I get a copy of my marriage license?

20. Name Changes on Other Documents

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.  

• 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 (PDF).

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.

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. 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; and

• 475 West Story Road, Ocoee.

What is the fee for a marriage license?
The fee for a marriage license is $94.00. 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) ($2.50)

• 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, Visa, or MasterCard. 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 Street, 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 $2.50 from any of the Clerk of Court locations in Orange County:

425 North Orange Avenue, Room 150, Orlando, FL 32801

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.