What You Need To Say “I Do” in Florida
For couples dreaming of a romantic outdoor wedding, Florida beckons, especially the Gulf Coast or SunCoast with its spectacular sunsets. Destination beach and resort weddings are popular for people from all over because of the year-round warm weather and sunny skies. Florida just may be the perfect place to Say “I Do,” but DON’T FORGET THE MARRIAGE LICENSE, without which your dream wedding will be, well – simply a celebration. You also need a wedding officiant, either a minister or notary public, to perform the ceremony and make your marriage legal.
Make It Legal
It’s really not surprising that with all of the planning, particularly for destination weddings, couples sometimes gloss over the legal details. Here is what you need to know to get married in Florida:
Whether you live in Florida, out of state, or out of the United States, most couples go together to the nearest clerk of the circuit court office in Florida to obtain a marriage license. Marriage licenses are good for 60 days. The standard fee is between $86- $93.50, which can be reduced for Florida residents who have completed a premarital preparation course. The license application takes about 15 minutes and can typically be paid by cash, charge or personal check.
Florida residents must wait three days to get a license (unless they have taken a premarital preparation course). To obtain a marriage license, U.S citizens must provide their social security numbers and photo identification,
such as driver’s licenses or state identification card. International visitors must bring passports, or naturalization or immigration numbers. Also, people who have been married previously must provide the date of divorce, annulment or spouse’s death. With a few exceptions, both the bride and groom are required to be 18. Florida doesn’t require blood tests or medical exams.
Where to Get the Marriage License
Clerk of court offices are open on weekdays from either 8:30 or 9 a.m. – 4:30 or 5 p.m. depending on county. Couples can get their license from any county in Florida – not only the one where the wedding ceremony will take place. As soon as a license for getting married in Florida is obtained, a wedding ceremony can be performed anywhere in the state. Contact us at 941.356.3492 or visit our marriage licenses page for more information about how to get married in Florida. Click here to book our services to officiate your wedding ceremony.
Florida Marriage License by Mail Coordinators
Say “I Do” SunCoast is a Florida Clerk of Court approved coordinator to assist couples with getting a Florida Marriage License by mail when applying in person together at a Florida Clerk of Court office is not possible or does not fit into your plans. The cost is $195-$245 depending on how far in advance we can process your documents. For more information, text 941.356.3492 or email license@sayidosuncoast.com.
Great Wedding Spots in Florida
Planning your beach wedding on the Gulf Coast (aka SunCoast) of Florida? Consider Sarasota, Bradenton, St. Petersburg or Venice or our surrounding beaches and islands such as Siesta Key, Lido Key, Manasota Key, Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island. Sarasota , Manatee, and Pinellas Counties all have clerk of court offices near these spectacular wedding venues where you can obtain your marriage license.
