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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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ARE BLOOD TESTS REQUIRED FOR A MARRIAGE LICENSE?
No, blood tests are not a requirement for a marriage
license.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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