WHAT IS THE LEGAL AGE FOR MARRIAGE
IN FLORIDA?
You must be at
least eighteen (18) years of age to apply for a marriage license
in the State of Florida.
<Top
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A
MARRIAGE LICENSE?
Both parties of the intended marriage
must come into the
Clerk's Office . Each party
must have a valid photo identification such as a driver's
license, state identification card, government or military
identification card, or a passport.
A social security number is
required to obtain a marriage license. If either party is from a
foreign country and not a U.S. citizen, alien registration
documentation, or other proof which contains an alien
registration number is acceptable to obtain a marriage license.
If either party was previously
married and divorced, the date of the divorce will be required.
If the date of the divorce was within the thirty days prior to
the new application for a marriage license, a certified copy of
the recorded final order will be required.
Effective January 1,
1999, a man and woman who are Florida residents must file with
the Clerk of the Circuit Court a sworn affidavit, in writing,
signed by both parties to the marriage, providing the social
security numbers of each party and reciting the true and correct
ages of each party. Additionally, a written statement signed by
both parties must be provided to the Clerk which specifies
whether the parties, separately or together, have completed a
premarital preparation course and have read or been made aware
of the rights and responsibilities of parties to a marriage as
outlined in the
Family Law Handbook
as
specified in Section 741.0306 Florida Statutes. A valid
certificate of completion for both parties from the Premarital
Preparation Course provider must also be filed with the
application for a marriage license. Exceptions to this
requirement apply to non-Florida residents and individuals
asserting hardships.
<Top
WHAT IS A PREMARITAL
PREPARATION COURSE?
A Premarital Preparation Course, required
by Florida Statutes, 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.
<Top
WHERE CAN I OBTAIN A
LIST OF PREMARITAL PREPARATION COURSES?
Premarital Preparation Course providers
must register with the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Providers
must be qualified instructors such as a licensed psychologist, a
licensed clinical social worker, licensed marriage and family
therapist, licensed mental health counselor, an official
representative of a religious institution with relevant training
or any provider designated by the judicial circuit. A roster is
available in any Clerk's Office issuing marriage licenses.
<Top
IS THERE A REQUIRED
WAITING PERIOD?
Florida residents who have satisfied the Premarital Preparation
Course requirements and who file the required affidavit and
certificate of course completion with the Clerk of the Circuit
Court when applying for a marriage license will be issued a
marriage license effective the same day.
Non-Florida residents and
individuals granted hardship status will not experience a delay
in the effective date of a marriage license.
Florida residents who do
not or cannot submit valid certificates of completion of a
Premarital Preparation Course will be issued a license which has
a delayed effective date of three days.
<Top
ARE THERE BENEFITS TO
COMPLETING A PREMARITAL PREPARATION COURSE?
Florida residents who
complete a Premarital Preparation Course will benefit from a
reduction of $32.50 (See
Schedule of Service Charges, Marriage
Licenses
) in the marriage license fee. The course
must have been taken no more than one year prior to the date of
the application for a marriage license.
<Top
ARE BLOOD TESTS REQUIRED FOR A
MARRIAGE LICENSE?
No, blood tests are not a requirement for
a marriage license.
<Top
HOW LONG IS THE MARRIAGE LICENSE
VALID?
The marriage must be solemnized within
sixty (60) days of issuance of the marriage license. The
ceremony can be performed anywhere in the State of Florida.
<Top
DO I APPLY FOR A
MARRIAGE LICENSE IN THE COUNTY IN WHICH I LIVE?
A marriage license may be applied for in
any county in the State of Florida.
<Top
WHAT IS THE COST OF A
MARRIAGE LICENSE?
Fees for marriage
licenses are set by Florida Statutes and are subject to change
as a result of legislative action. A current
"Schedule of Service Charges"
is available in any Clerk's Office for
your information, as well as online.
Fees for a marriage
license for Florida residents are reduced if the parties have
completed and provided proof of completion of a Premarital
Preparation Course.
<Top
CAN I PAY FOR MY
MARRIAGE LICENSE WITH A PERSONAL CHECK?
In
Pinellas County, personal checks are accepted for a marriage
license.
Checks should be made payable to:
KARLEEN F. De BLAKER
Clerk of the Circuit Court
<Top
WHERE CAN I APPLY FOR A MARRIAGE
LICENSE?
A marriage license may be obtained Monday
through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at any one of the
following offices of the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
<Top
