The Marriage Process
According to s. 741.04(4)(b), F.S., applicants for a marriage license must attest to have read or otherwise accessed the information found in this handbook created by the Family Law section of The Florida Bar.
In Leon County, the Clerk’s Office is the issuing agent of Marriage License for the State of Florida. The requirements for single adults to obtain a marriage license is for the couple to come in person to the Clerk’s office, bring with them their drivers license or other acceptable picture identification- must be a Government issued I.D. (passport, military I.D.) along with their social security number. If either applicant has been previously married, the exact date of divorce, death or annulment must be presented. If either occurred within the last thirty days, documentation must be provided at the time of application. Applicants must be 18 years of age, unless: The person is at least 17 years of age and provides the written consent of his or her parents or legal guardian, which is acknowledged by an officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments and administer oaths; and the older party to the marriage is not more than 2 years older than the younger party to the marriage.
A county judge or clerk of the circuit court shall issue every marriage license. The county judge or clerk of the circuit court shall issue such license, upon application for the license, if there appears to be no impediments to the marriage. (F.S. 741.01)
The Leon County Clerk’s Office began issuing same-gender marriage licenses on January 6, 2015. Clerk Gwen Knight announced this decision because of the clarification issued on January 1, 2015, by Federal Judge Hinkle in the case pertaining to same-gender marriages in Washington County, Florida.
Written Application Required
No county judge or clerk of the circuit court in this state shall issue a license for the marriage or any person unless there shall be first presented and filed with him an affidavit in writing, signed by both parties to the marriage, made and subscribed before some person authorized by law to administer an oath, reciting the true and correct ages of such parties; unless both such parties shall be over the age of 18, except as provided in F.S. . 741.0405 (F.S. 741.04)
Issuance In Blank Prohibited
It is unlawful for any county court judge or clerk of the circuit court in the state to send out of his office any marriage license signed in blank to be issued upon application to persons not in the office of the county judge or clerk of the circuit court. (F.S. 741.03)
All regularly ordained ministers of the gospel or elders in communion with some church or other ordained clergy, and all judicial officers, clerk of the circuit court, and notaries public of this state may solemnize the rights of matrimonial contract, under the regulations prescribed by law.
Any marriage which may be had and solemnized among the people called “Quakers or “Friends”, in the manner and form used or practiced in their societies, according to their rites and ceremonies, shall be good and valid in law; and whenever the words “minister” and “elder” are used in this chapter, they shall be held to include all the persons connected with the Society of Friends, or Quakers, who perform or have charge of the marriage ceremony according to their rites and ceremonies. (F.S. 741.07)
License Must Be Certified And Filed Within 10 Days
Before any authorized person shall solemnize any marriage, he shall require of the parties a marriage license issued according to requirements of Florida Statute 741.01, making sure the ceremony is performed between the “effective date” and the “expiration date”. Within 10 days after solemnizing the marriage he shall make a certificate thereof on the license, and shall transmit the same to the office of the clerk of the circuit court from which it was issued.
The license must be used within sixty (60) days from the “effective date”. Below is the effective date criterion:
- If both parties are Florida residents, they must both attend a premarital class and present completion certification of the class to the clerk at the time of application. Completion of the class waives the waiting period otherwise there is a three day waiting period from the date of issue before the marriage ceremony may take place.
- If only one of the applicants is a Florida resident and the Florida resident takes the course, there is no waiting period.
- If both parties are out of state residents, there is no waiting period.
A regularly ordained clergy, judiciary, State of Florida Notaries, the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Deputy Clerks may perform a marriage ceremony.
The fee for a marriage license is $86.00. The exception is if both parties are Florida residents and have provided proof of a premarital class with a provider certified by the Clerk. The fee is then $61.00. Fees may be paid in cash, check or credit card.
If you have a question or would like more information, please consult our list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) below, or contact our office. Leon County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s Official Records Official Records Division, 1276 Metropolitan Blvd., Suite 101, Tallahassee FL 32312 or at 301 S. Monroe Street, #100, Tallahassee, FL 32301 (850) 606-4060. Click here for current hours of operation.
Premarital Information
According to s. 741.04(4)(b), F.S., applicants for a marriage license must attest to have read or otherwise accessed the information found in this handbook created by the Family Law section of The Florida Bar.
Remember that Florida’s marriage license law changed on January 1st, 1999. Florida residents must choose to either:
- Complete a 4-hour premarital course given by a provider registered with the Clerk of Circuit Court (Florida license fee $61.00), or
- Have a 3-day waiting period apply to your license after you have made your application to marry with the Clerk of Circuit Court (Florida license fee $86.00).
For more information, please refer to Florida Statute 741.0305.
For a current list of available pre-marital course providers registered with the Clerk of Circuit Court, click on the link below: Pre-Marital Course Providers List
A Family Law handbook is provided for your use. This handbook is made available by the Florida Association of Court Clerks and is in PDF format. Also available from the Florida Association of Court Clerks is a Guidance on the Marriage and Dissolution Laws. You will need Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader to view either document.
How To Register As A Premarital Course Provider
If you are a psychologist, clinical social worker, marriage or family therapist, mental health counselor, or an official representative of a religious institution and wish to register as a pre-marital course provider, see below:
- Read Florida Statute 741.0305. The Statute outlines course, provider, and instructor requirements. F.S. 496.403(20) provides the definition of a religious institution used in F.S. 741.0305(5).
- Complete the required affidavit “Registration Affidavit for Premarital Preparation Course Provider” and sign it before the Clerk of Court, a Deputy Clerk, or a Notary Public.
- Return the completed affidavit to:Clerk of Circuit and County Court: Gwen Knight,
Official Records, Marriage and Passports,
301 South Monroe Street, #100,
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Upon receipt of the affidavit, the Clerk will add your name to the register of course providers.
A handbook on the new Marriage and Dissolution Laws is provided for your use. This handbook is made available by the Florida Association of Court Clerks and is in PDF format. You will need Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader to view it.
Questions may be directed to the above address or by telephone to (850) 606-4060.
Frequently Asked Questions
For more information, please call (850) 606-4060.
No. A marriage license may not be issued to any person younger than 18 years of age, unless:
- The person is at least 17 years of age and provides the written consent of his or her parents or legal guardian, which is acknowledged by an officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments and administer oaths; and
- The older party to the marriage is not more than 2 years older than the younger party to the marriage.
Yes. Effective January 6, 2015 per Court Order, applicants of the same gender can apply for a license to marry.
Yes, deputy clerks can perform a civil marriage ceremony. There is a $30.00 fee for performing this service.
Yes (Exceptions can be made only when there is good cause in extreme circumstances.)
No. You do not need the documents, unless your marriage ended in the last 60 days, however, the application does require you to note how your last marriage ended (divorce, annulment or death) and the exact date (month, day and year).
Marriage licenses are issued without appointments during normal business hours. Appointments must be made if you wish for the Clerk’s Office to perform the ceremony. Appointments may be made during normal business hours at either of the two following locations: Northeast Branch (NEB), 1276 Metropolitan Boulevard, #101, or at the county courthouse, 301 S. Monroe Street, #100. Click here for our current hours of operation.
Neither applicant must be a citizen. There is no citizenship requirement to obtain a marriage license.
Please consult your clergyman, chaplain, other religious adviser or personal counselor.
Florida law requires a three-day waiting period between application and the effective date of a marriage license. The waiting period can be waived if applicants show proof of having recently attended at least four hours of marriage counseling with a provider registered with the Clerk’s Office or both parties being out of state residents.
Certified copies are normally received within 10 days after the completed marriage certificate is returned to the clerk’s office for recording in the official records.
Florida marriage licenses are valid for 60 days from the effective date of the license. The marriage license form must be returned to the Clerk’s Office for recording within 10 days after the marriage is performed.
One certified copy is provided as part of the marriage license fee, there is no additional cost. Additional certified copies may be obtained for a fee of $3.00 each. Prior to 1972, Certified Copies are $7.00. You can request certified copies by calling (850) 606-4060 or by coming into one of our offices located at 1276 Metropolitan Blvd., Ste. 101, Tallahassee, FL 32312 or 301 South Monroe Street, Ste. #100, Tallahassee, FL 32301. You may also send a written request along with payment to Leon County Clerk & Comptroller, Attn: Official Records, 301 South Monroe Street, Ste. 100, Tallahassee FL 32301.
Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted for payment.
No. A blood test for marriages in the state of Florida is no longer required.
No.
A marriage license may not be issued to any person younger than 18 years of age, unless:
- The person is at least 17 years of age and provides the written consent of his or her parents or legal guardian, which is acknowledged by an officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments and administer oaths; and
- The older party to the marriage is not more than 2 years older than the younger party to the marriage.
All that is required for single adults to obtain a marriage license is for them to come in person to the Clerk’s office, bring their driver’s license or other acceptable Identification (Government issued I.D.) and be prepared to pay the fee for the License.
Also required is for both applicants to provide a Social Security number. Applicants who are not citizens may provide an immigration registration card, passport or other Government issued I.D.
Applicants are required to read the family law handbook and once completed sign an affidavit to that effect. F.S. 741.04(B).