How to Get a Marriage License in Florida

Reviewed by Kristen Franzen, LMHC, a Florida-licensed counselor and approved Florida premarital course provider · Last updated October 2026

Quick answer

To get a marriage license in Florida, both partners apply together in person at any Florida county Clerk of Court with a valid photo ID and their Social Security numbers. The fee is $86 in most counties, or $61 if you’ve completed a 4-hour premarital course from a state-registered provider. If either of you lives in Florida, the license doesn’t take effect for 3 days unless you’ve taken the course. Once issued, it’s valid anywhere in Florida for 60 days.

Florida marriage license at a glance

Cost	$86 in most counties; $61 with a premarital course certificate. Confirm the exact amount with your county clerk.
Waiting period	3 days if either partner is a Florida resident. Waived if you complete a premarital course. No wait if both partners live outside Florida.
How long it’s valid	60 days from the date it’s issued, anywhere in Florida.
Where to apply	Any Florida county Clerk of Court. You don’t have to apply in the county where you’ll marry.
What to bring	Valid photo ID for each partner, both Social Security numbers, and the date your last marriage ended if either of you was married before.
Premarital course	Optional. At least 4 hours, from a provider registered with the clerk, completed within the 12 months before you apply.

How much is a marriage license in Florida?

Most Florida counties charge $86. With a certificate from a registered premarital course, the fee drops to about $61, a $25 saving. Florida law is inconsistent here: one section says $25 and another still says $32.50, but in practice clerks take $25 off. Some clerks add a small fee for card payments, so check your county clerk’s fee page before you go.

	Without a course	With our course
Marriage license	$86	$61
Premarital course (both of you)	—	$14.49
Total	$86	$75.49
3-day wait (Florida residents)	Yes	No

So the course pays for itself and still leaves you about $10 ahead, and Florida residents can marry the same day they get the license. A courthouse ceremony or officiant is a separate cost.

How to get a marriage license in Florida, step by step

1. Take a premarital course (optional, but it pays for itself). It takes at least 4 hours. Our course is online, so you can do it in one evening or split it up.
2. Download your certificate. You get it the moment you finish. It’s good for 12 months.
3. Choose a county clerk. Any Florida county works. Many clerks offer an online pre-application or appointments, which shortens the visit.
4. Gather your documents. See the list below.
5. Apply together and pay. Florida requires both of you to appear in person and sign the application.
6. Get married. With a course certificate, or if neither of you lives in Florida, the license works right away. Otherwise, wait 3 days. The ceremony must happen within 60 days.
7. Return the signed license. Your officiant returns it to the clerk, which records it. Then you can order certified copies.

What to bring to the Clerk of Court

• A valid photo ID for each of you, such as a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID.
• Both Social Security numbers.
• The date your last marriage ended, if either of you was married before.
• Your premarital course certificate, if you want the $25 discount and no waiting period.
• Payment. Check which methods your clerk accepts.

The 3-day waiting period and how to skip it

If either partner is a Florida resident, the license doesn’t take effect until 3 days after it’s issued. A certificate from a registered 4-hour premarital course removes the wait. Couples where neither partner lives in Florida have no wait at all, but they still get the $25 discount if they take the course.

Planning a courthouse wedding or a quick ceremony? Finish the course before you go to the clerk. You can take the Florida premarital course online tonight and marry the day you get your license.

Common questions

How much does it cost to get married in Florida?

The license is $86 in most counties, or $61 with a premarital course certificate. A courthouse ceremony or officiant is extra and varies.

Is the premarital course required in Florida?

No. It’s optional. Without it, Florida residents wait 3 days after the license is issued and pay the full fee.

Can we get married the same day we get the license?

Yes, if you’ve completed a premarital course or neither of you is a Florida resident. Then the license is effective immediately, and you can marry that day if an officiant or the clerk’s office is available.

Do we both have to be there?

Yes. Florida requires both partners to appear at the clerk’s office to apply.

Can we use a license from one county in another county?

Yes. A Florida marriage license is valid in every Florida county.

Ready to save on your license? Take the Florida premarital course online for $14.49 per couple. Instant certificate, accepted in all 67 Florida counties, money-back guarantee.

Florida guides

• Can You Get a Florida Marriage License and Marry the Same Day?
• Ultimate Guide: Skip Florida’s 3-Day Waiting Period & Save $25
• Courthouse Wedding in Florida: Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Start Your Florida Premarital Course for Free Today
• Can You Elope in Florida? (Yes—Here’s the Simple, Legal Way)
• Getting Your Florida Premarital Course Same Day Certificate: What to Know
• Premarital Class In Florida: What It Is and How It Affects Your Marriage License
• Florida Wedding License Requirements You Must Know
• Is a Premarital Course Required in Florida?
• What’s The Quickest Way to Get Married in Florida Today?
• How Far in Advance Do You Have to Get a Marriage License in Florida?
• How long does a Florida premarital course take?
• Changing Your Name After Marriage in Florida: The Correct Order to Follow
• Can you take a Florida premarital course online?
• What Happens in a Pre-marriage Course?
• Choosing the Right Premarital Preparation Program
• Florida Budget Wedding: Licenses, Fees, and Rules Explained
• How much does a premarital preparation course cost in Florida?
• How Much Is Premarital Counseling?
• Benefits of Taking a Premarital Preparation Course

Florida marriage license guides by county