The following is a summary of Florida's marriage laws. It explains what you need to bring with you, and what you need to know about the Florida marriage laws before filling out the Florida marriage license form. In order to get married, you need to apply and receive a marriage license. This is the document in your state that allows you to officially get married under the law. The rules for acquiring your marriage license varies from state to state, so you should check with your city's marriage bureau at your clerk of court's office to find out what your local rules are.

You'll typically need to apply for your marriage license at least one month before your wedding ceremony. You'll traditionally need to send in your birth certificates, tax information, and other official documents. You don't, however, want to apply for your marriage license too early. In some states, the licenses do expire, if you don't get married within a few months.

When you apply for your license, you'll not only need a proof of identification and age, will need to provide any information about previous marriages, and will need to pay a nominal fee. You will also need to have a witness when you sign the application, so plan on bringing your maid of honor or best man with you. The bride will need to know what her married name will be before she signs the marriage certificate. You'll have to write that name on the application.

And, believe it or not, just because you have your marriage license sent to you in the mail does not mean you are officially married. You need to have a justice of the peace or a religious clergyman sign the document. On your wedding day, you'll give your officiant your marriage license, then after the ceremony, he'll sign it and send it to the proper government agency for validation.

ID Requirement: Picture ID such as a driver's license and your Social Security card or a valid passport number or I-94 card.

Residency Requirement: Do not have to be a resident of Florida. The waiting period does not apply to non-Florida residents.

Application Requirement: Both the bride and groom must appear in person at the time of applying.

Waiting Period: No waiting period for Florida residents who have both completed a state sanctioned marriage preparation course within the last 12 months. There is a three-day waiting period for Florida residents who have not taken the course.

If Divorced: If previously married, the date of divorce or date of spouse's death must be supplied. If the divorce or spouse's death occurred within the past 30 days, a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate is required.

Fees: $93.50 - cash only. Couples who have completed a state-sanctioned marriage preparation course within the past 12 months are entitled to a discount of $32.50. The provider of the class must be listed with the Clerks office.

The Florida Premarital Preparation, is a course provided by a qualified instructor registered with the Clerk of the Circuit Court consisting of not less than 4 hours. The course may include instruction regarding conflict management, communication skills, financial responsibilities, children and parenting responsibilities on actual case data compiled from information reported by married couples who seek counseling. The course may be provided by personal instruction, videotape instruction, instructions via other electronic medium or a combination of these methods. A roster is available in any Clerk's Office issuing marriage licenses.

Other Tests: No blood test requirement.

Under 18: If an individual is under 18 years of age, but older than 16 years of age, a marriage license can be obtained with parental consent. If a parent has sole custody or the other parent is dead, the permission of one parent is sufficient. If a person is under the age of 16, the marriage license has to be issued by a county judge, with or without parental permission. If a minor's parents are both deceased and there is not an appointed guardian, he/she may apply for a marriage license. A minor who has been previously married may also apply for a license. A minor who swears that they have a child or are expecting a baby, can apply for a license if the pregnancy has been verfied by a written statement from a licensed physician. A county court judge may at his/her discretion issue or not issue a license for them to marry.

Proxy Marriages: Not allowed in Florida. Officiants: All regularly ordained ministers of the gospel in communion with some church may perform marriages. Ministers must complete a certificate of marriage on the marriage license and return it to the office from which it was issued.

Valid: License is valid for 60 days. The license can only be used within the State of Florida.

Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice. It is important that you verify all information with your local marriage license office or county clerk before making any wedding or travel plans.

Florida County Clerk's Offices

Alachua County Recorder, Gainesville, FL 352.374.3623

Baker County Clerk, Macclenny, FL 904.259.3121

Bay County Recorder, Panama City, FL 850.763.9061

Bradford County Recorder, Stark, FL 904.966.6263

Brevard County Recorder, Titusville, FL 407.264.5350

Broward County Clerk, Ft Lauderdale, FL 954.831.6600

Calhoun County Clerk, Blountstown, FL 850.674.4545

Charlotte County Clerk, Punta Gorda, FL 813.637.2126

Citrus County Clerk, Inverness, FL 352.637.9415

Clay County Clerk, Green Cove Spring, FL 904.269.6302

Collier Clerk, Naples, FL 941.732.2646

Dade County Recorder, Miami, FL 305.275.1155

De Soto County Clerk, Arcadia, FL 941.993.4876

Dixie County Recorder, Cross City, FL 352.498.1200

Duval County Recorder, Jacksonville, FL 904.630.1436

Escambia County Recorder, Pensacola, FL 904.436.5718

Flagler County Clerk , Bunnell, FL 904.437.7414

Franklin County Clerk , Apalachicola, FL 850.697.2112

Gadsen County Clerk, Quincy, FL 850.875.4700

Gilchrist County Clerk, Tranton, FL 352.463.2345

Glades County Clerk, Moore Haven, FL 941.675.6553

Gulf County Clerk, Port Saint Joe, FL 850.229.6113

Hamilton County Clerk, Jasper, FL 904.792.1288

Hardee County Clerk, Wauchula, FL 941.773.4174

Hendry County Clerk, La Belle, FL 941.675.5217

Hernando County Recorder, Brooksville, FL 352.754.4201

Highlands County Clerk, Sebring, FL 941.453.7538

Hillsborough County Recorder, Tampa, FL 813.276.8100

Holmes County Clerk, Bonifay, FL 850.547.1100

Indian River County Recorder, Vero Beach, FL 561.770.5185

Jackson County Clerk, Marianna, FL 850.482.9552

Jefferson County Clerk, Monticello, FL 850.342.0218

Lafayette County Clerk, Mayo, FL 904.294.1600

Lake County Clerk, Tavares, FL 352.742.4111

Lee County Clerk, Fort Myers, FL 941.335.2339

Leon County Recorder, Tallahasee, FL 850.488.7534

Levy County Clerk, Bronson, FL 352.486.5266

Liberty County Clerk, Bristol, FL 850.643.2215

Madison County Clerk, Madison, FL 850.973.4176

Manatee County Recorder, Bradenton, FL 941.748.0800

Marion County Clerk, Ocala, FL 352.620.3924

Martin County Clerk, Stuart, FL 561.288.5533

Monroe County Recorder, Kay West, FL 305.294.4641

Nassau County Recorder, Fernandina Beach, FL 904.879.2916

Okaloosa County Recorder, Crestview, FL 850.689.5000

Okeechobee County Clerk, Okeechobee, FL 941.763.2131

Orange County Recorder, Orlando, FL 407.836.2065

Osceola County Clerk, Kissimmee, FL 407.847.1300

Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach, FL 561.355.2996

Pasco County Clerk, Dade City, FL 352.521.4468

Pinellas County Clerk, Clearwater, FL 727.464.4700

Polk County Recorder, Bartow, FL 941.534.6511

Putnam County Recorder, Palatka, FL 904.329.0250

Santa Rosa County Recorder, Milton, FL 850.623.0135

Sarasota County, Sarasota, FL 941.362.4066

Seminole County Clerk, Sanford, FL 407.323.4330

St Johns County Recorder, St Augustine, FL 904.819.3640

St Lucie County Clerk, Fort Peirce, FL 561.871.5388

Sumter County Clerk, Bushnell, FL 352.793.0215

Suwanne County Clerk, Live Oak, FL 904.362.2827

Taylor County Clerk, Perry, FL 850.838.3506

Union County Clerk, Lake Butler, FL 904.496.3711

Volusia County Recorder, Deland, FL 904.822.5708

Wakulla County Clerk, Crawfordville, FL 850.926.3331

Walton County Recorder, Defuniak Spring, FL 850.892.8115

Washington County Recorder, Chipley, FL 850.638.6009