Last updated: July 2026
Scope note: This guide is educational only and not legal advice. This guide covers the marriage license process for Glades County, Florida and statewide Florida rules that may apply. Requirements can change, so confirm details with the official offices before you go.
Quick Answer: Getting Your Marriage License in Glades County, FL
To get a Glades County, Florida marriage license, couples must apply in person at the Glades County Clerk of Courts office in Moore Haven. You will need to bring a valid photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) and provide your Social Security numbers. The standard application fee is $86.00, and Florida residents are subject to a mandatory 3-day waiting period. However, Florida couples can skip the 3-day wait entirely and reduce their fee to $61.00 (saving $25) by presenting a certificate of completion from an approved Florida premarital course.
Fact Snapshot
| Item | What to Know for Glades County |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | Glades County Clerk of Courts, 500 Avenue J, Suite 102, Moore Haven, FL 33471. |
| Standard Fee | $86.00 (Cash, check, or credit card with a 3.5% fee). |
| Discounted Fee | $61.00 (Requires a Florida premarital course certificate). |
| Waiting Period | 3 days for FL residents (Waived instantly with course certificate). |
| Required Identification | Valid Photo ID (Driver’s License, State ID, Passport) & SSN. |
| Validity Window | 60 days from the effective date anywhere in the State of Florida. |
| Courthouse Ceremony | The Glades County Clerk does not perform marriage ceremonies. |
Key Takeaways
- Verify before visiting: Always check the Glades County Clerk’s process prior to arriving, as walk-in cut-off times are strictly enforced (typically no licenses issued after 3:30 p.m.).
- Bring the right paperwork: You must present clear photo identification and know the exact date your prior marriage ended (if applicable).
- Control your timeline: Understand the difference between your application date and the license effective date. If you are a Florida resident without a premarital course certificate, your license is not effective for 3 days.
- Plan your ceremony logistics: Because the clerk does not perform ceremonies, you must schedule your own officiant within the 60-day validity window.
- Record promptly: Make a plan for your officiant to return the completed license to the Moore Haven office within 10 days of your wedding so the marriage can be legally recorded.
Step-by-Step Explanation
- Complete the Florida Premarital Course (Highly Recommended): Florida law ties the license effective date to whether you submit a valid premarital preparation course certificate. By taking our Florida premarital course, you instantly bypass the 3-day waiting period, reduce your courthouse fee by $25, and enter your marriage with better communication tools.
- Gather Your Documentation: Both applicants need a government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport) and their Social Security Numbers. If you have been previously married, you must provide the exact date (month, day, year) the last marriage ended by death, divorce, or annulment.
- Visit the Clerk’s Office Together: Head to the Glades County Clerk of the Circuit Court at 500 Avenue J, Suite 102, Moore Haven, FL 33471. Both parties must be present to sign the application and take an oath swearing to the truthfulness of the provided information.
- Pay the Application Fee: The cost is $86.00. If you present your premarital course certificate, the fee drops to $61.00. The clerk accepts cash, check, or credit cards, though paying with a card will incur a 3.5% processing fee.
- Hold Your Ceremony: Once your license is effective, it is valid anywhere in the state of Florida for 60 days. Secure your own ordained officiant or notary public, as the Glades County courthouse does not perform ceremonies on-site.
- Return the License for Recording: Under Florida Statute (F.S. 741.08), the person who solemnizes your marriage must complete their portion of the certificate and mail or return it to the Glades County Clerk’s office within 10 days to be legally recorded.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Showing up without acceptable identification: Do not rely on expired IDs. Bring exactly what the Glades County Clerk requires.
- Forgetting prior marriage dates: Do not guess the date of your divorce. Write down the exact date your final decree was issued before stepping up to the counter.
- Assuming the license is effective immediately: Unless you are an out-of-state resident or have a valid Glades County premarital course certificate, your license is subject to a 3-day waiting period. Do not schedule your wedding for the day after you apply if this wait applies to you.
- Missing the daily cut-off time: Do not arrive right at 4:30 p.m. Marriage licenses are a multi-step process, and the clerk typically stops issuing new licenses at 3:30 p.m.
- Letting the license expire: Plan the ceremony inside the 60-day validity window and follow the explicit dates printed on the document.
Real-World Tips
- Call ahead the same week you plan to apply: Confirm required documents and accepted payment methods directly with the Glades County Clerk at (863) 946-6010.
- Bring backups: Keep a second copy of key information (IDs, prior marriage details, and your printed course certificate) in a secure folder.
- Build a buffer day: If a delayed effective date applies to your situation, avoid scheduling the ceremony too close to the application date.
- Protect the recording step: Ask your officiant exactly how they plan to return the completed license to the clerk, and put a reminder in your phone calendar to follow up with them a week after your wedding.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do both applicants have to be present to apply in Glades County?
Yes. The Glades County Clerk requires both parties to be present to apply, sign the application, and take an oath in front of the clerk.
What identification does the Glades County Clerk accept?
The Glades County Clerk accepts a valid photo identification such as a driver’s license, state-issued ID, or passport, along with a Social Security number.
Is there a waiting period for a Glades County marriage license?
Yes, for Florida residents there is a mandatory 3-day waiting period. This wait is waived instantly if you present a certificate showing you completed an approved premarital preparation course.
How long is a Glades County marriage license valid?
Under Florida law, the marriage license is valid for 60 days from the effective date printed on the document.
Do couples have to apply in the county where they live?
No. A marriage license applied for in Glades County can be used to legally marry in any county across the state of Florida.
Is a blood test required in Glades County?
No. Blood tests are no longer required to get a marriage license in the state of Florida.
Sources & Verification
- Glades County Clerk — Marriage Licenses
- Florida Statutes — 741.04 (Issuance of marriage license)
- Online Sunshine — F.S. 741.08 (Solemnization and return)
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Marriage license requirements and office procedures can change. Confirm current requirements directly with the Glades County Clerk and applicable Florida statutes before applying.
