Getting a Marriage License in Union County, Florida

Last updated: 1/31/2026

Scope note: This is educational information about the Union County, Florida marriage license process. Marriage-license procedures can change and can vary by clerk office, so confirm current requirements with the Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court before you apply.

Quick Answer

To get a Union County, Florida marriage license, both applicants typically apply with a Florida clerk of court, bring required identification information, pay the fee, and follow the printed effective date and expiration date on the license.

Florida law can delay the effective date for Florida residents by 3 days unless the couple presents valid premarital preparation course certificates, and Florida marriage licenses are valid for 60 days after issuance.

Fact Snapshot

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The Union County, Florida marriage license process can include local clerk steps that vary by office.

Florida law requires an application affidavit that includes Social Security numbers or other available identification numbers.

If valid premarital preparation course certificates are not submitted, Florida law requires a 3-day delay for many Florida residents before the marriage license becomes effective.

A Florida marriage license is valid for 60 days after issuance, and the ceremony must occur before the expiration date.

Confirm current fees, appointments, and accepted identification directly with the Union County clerk before applying.

Introduction

This guide explains how the Union County, Florida marriage license process generally works, what usually causes delays, and how to verify the details that can vary by clerk office. The goal is to help couples apply smoothly and avoid common last-minute mistakes.

Key Takeaways

• Plan around the license dates: Florida marriage licenses are valid for 60 days after issuance (Florida Statutes 741.041).
• Florida residents can face a 3-day delay unless valid premarital course certificates are submitted, and non-Florida residents have statutory exceptions (Florida Statutes 741.04).
• Expect to provide identification information (including Social Security numbers or other available identification numbers) as part of the application affidavit (Florida Statutes 741.04).
• Fees and appointment rules can differ by clerk, so confirm the Union County process before you go (Union County Clerk marriage license page).
• Many Florida clerk offices list fee examples such as $86 standard and $61 with valid premarital course certificates; verify what applies in Union County (Osceola Clerk — Marriage License Fees).

Step-by-Step Explanation

1. Start with the Union County clerk instructions and confirm how to apply.
   Clerk offices can differ on walk-in versus appointment processes, online pre-application steps, and what documents are required at the counter. Check the Union County Clerk marriage license page first so the couple follows Union County procedures instead of another county’s checklist.

2. Gather the identification information needed for the application affidavit.
   Florida law requires a written, signed affidavit that includes each applicant’s Social Security number or another available identification number, along with each applicant’s age (Florida Statutes 741.04). Many clerk offices also require a valid government photo ID at the appointment; see an example list of accepted IDs on the Miami-Dade Clerk marriage license requirements page, then confirm Union County’s accepted IDs on the Union County clerk page.

3. Confirm the “handbook access” statement before the clerk can issue the license.
   Florida law requires the clerk to be presented with a signed statement verifying that the couple has obtained and read or otherwise accessed the required marriage rights and responsibilities handbook material before the clerk can issue the marriage license (Florida Statutes 741.04). The Union County clerk can explain how the clerk office handles this step.

4. Decide whether the couple will use premarital preparation course certificates.
   Florida law requires a 3-day delay for many Florida residents if valid premarital preparation course certificates are not submitted, and Florida law states that the effective date may not be delayed when valid certificates are submitted (Florida Statutes 741.04). Many clerk offices describe the course as a four-hour premarital course from a registered provider and emphasize bringing the original certificate at application; see the description on the Miami-Dade Clerk waiting period & premarital course section and confirm Union County documentation rules before relying on a certificate.

   For extra background on certificates and timing, see Florida marriage license basics and a practical documents checklist.

5. Plan the fee and payment method for the Union County appointment.
   Clerk fees and payment rules can vary, so confirm the current Union County total and accepted payment types on the Union County clerk page. As an example of how Florida clerk fees are often displayed, the Osceola Clerk fee list shows a $86 standard fee and a $61 fee when valid premarital course certificates are presented, and the Miami-Dade Clerk fee list shows the same two amounts along with example payment methods.

6. Apply, receive the license, and follow the printed effective date.
   The clerk prints the effective date when a delay applies, and Florida law requires a 3-day delay for many Florida residents if valid premarital course certificates are not submitted (Florida Statutes 741.04). The couple should read the license carefully and confirm the ceremony can occur on or after the effective date.

7. Schedule the ceremony within the validity window and confirm the return/recording instructions.
   Florida marriage licenses are valid for 60 days after issuance (Florida Statutes 741.041). The Union County clerk can explain local instructions for returning the completed license for recording and how to request certified copies afterward.

If the couple wants a clearer walk-through of the premarital course certificate step for Union County, the Union County premarital course option and certificate steps page can help the couple stay organized without guessing at the order of tasks.

Common Mistakes

• Showing up without required identification information. Florida law requires the application affidavit to include Social Security numbers or other available identification numbers, so missing information can delay issuance (Florida Statutes 741.04).
• Assuming the couple can marry the same day without checking the effective date. Florida law requires a 3-day delay for many Florida residents if valid premarital course certificates are not submitted (Florida Statutes 741.04).
• Forgetting that the license expires quickly. A Florida marriage license is valid for only 60 days after issuance, so a ceremony date that slips past the expiration date can force a re-application (Florida Statutes 741.041).
• Relying on a premarital course certificate without confirming what the clerk accepts. Some clerk offices instruct couples to provide the original certificate at application and describe the course as a four-hour course from a registered provider (see the Miami-Dade Clerk premarital course section), so confirm Union County documentation rules before assuming a certificate will change timing or fees.
• Not verifying fees and payment types before the appointment. Even when statewide patterns exist, the safest move is to confirm the current Union County fee and accepted payment methods with the Union County clerk, since counties can publish different instructions (Union County Clerk marriage license page).
• Not knowing the exact date a prior marriage ended. Many clerk offices ask for the exact date of the last divorce, death, or annulment when a prior marriage exists (see the Miami-Dade Clerk “Other information required” section), so have that information ready.
• Skipping the handbook access step. Florida law requires a signed statement verifying the couple accessed the handbook material before the clerk can issue the license (Florida Statutes 741.04).

For deeper context on what the premarital preparation course is and how certificates are commonly used during the license process, see premarital preparation course details and certificate requirements in Florida.

Real-World Tips

• Pick the application date by working backward from the ceremony date. The 60-day validity window is short, so avoid applying too early if the wedding is later in the season (Florida Statutes 741.041). For practical planning ideas, see how far in advance to get a Florida marriage license.
• Confirm the effective date rules before booking an officiant. Florida residents can face a 3-day delay unless valid premarital course certificates are submitted (Florida Statutes 741.04).
• Bring a “license folder” to the clerk appointment. Keep IDs, the required identification numbers for the affidavit, the handbook access confirmation, and (if used) the course certificates together so nothing is forgotten.
• Use the clerk’s own fee list for budgeting. Even when example fee lists show $86 and $61, verify what Union County currently charges and what payment types Union County accepts (Union County Clerk marriage license page).
• Plan for after the wedding, too. If a name change is part of the plan, a simple post-wedding checklist can prevent missed updates; see post-wedding name change checklist and order of updates.

When to Verify / Who to Contact

For the most accurate instructions for a Union County, Florida marriage license, verify details directly with the clerk office that will issue the license. The best starting point is the Union County Clerk marriage license page, especially for appointments, accepted payment types, and any local forms.

For statewide baseline rules (effective date delays, required affidavit information, and required statements), review Florida Statutes 741.04. For the statewide validity window, review Florida Statutes 741.041.

Next Step

If the couple wants an organized, step-by-step way to handle the premarital course certificate portion of the process (so the couple can plan around the effective date rules), start with the step-by-step premarital course for Union County couples.

FAQ

Do the applicants have to apply in Union County if the applicants live in Union County?

No, a Florida marriage license can be used to marry anywhere in Florida, even if the license was purchased in a different Florida county.

The couple should still follow the procedures of the clerk office that will issue the license; see an example explanation on the Miami-Dade Clerk marriage license page and confirm Union County procedures on the Union County clerk page.

How long is a Union County, Florida marriage license valid?

A Florida marriage license is valid for 60 days after issuance.

Florida law also requires the expiration date to be printed on the license, so the couple should schedule the ceremony before that date (Florida Statutes 741.041).

Is there a waiting period in Union County, Florida?

Yes, many Florida residents face a 3-day delay before the license becomes effective unless valid premarital preparation course certificates are submitted.

Florida law requires the clerk to delay the effective date by 3 days for many Florida residents when valid certificates are not submitted, and Florida law requires exceptions for non-Florida residents (Florida Statutes 741.04).

What does the couple need to bring to apply?

The couple should be ready to provide Social Security numbers or other available identification numbers and to complete the required signed statements.

Florida law requires an application affidavit with identification numbers and requires signed statements about premarital course completion and handbook access (Florida Statutes 741.04), and many clerk offices also require a valid government photo ID (see an example list on the Miami-Dade Clerk requirements section).

How much does a marriage license cost in Union County, Florida?

Fees vary by clerk office, so the couple should confirm the current Union County total and accepted payment methods before applying.

As examples, some Florida clerk offices list $86 standard and $61 with valid premarital course certificates (see Osceola Clerk marriage license fees and the Miami-Dade Clerk fee list), but the couple should treat those as examples and verify the Union County amount.

Can the couple get married the same day the couple applies?

Sometimes, but the answer depends on the printed effective date and whether the clerk must apply a delay.

Florida law requires a 3-day delay for many Florida residents when valid premarital course certificates are not submitted, and Florida law prohibits a delay when valid certificates are submitted (Florida Statutes 741.04).

Sources & Review

Official sources used

• Union County Clerk marriage license page
• Florida Statutes 741.04 (issuance of marriage license)
• Florida Statutes 741.041 (license valid for 60 days)
• Miami-Dade Clerk — Marriage Licenses (requirements, waiting period, fee examples)
• Osceola Clerk — Marriage License Forms & Fees (fee and waiting-period examples)

Disclaimer

This article is educational information, not legal advice. Marriage license rules and clerk procedures can change, and local requirements can vary by office, so confirm current details with the Union County clerk and the cited Florida statutes.