Marriage License in St Johns County Florida: A Complete Guide

Last updated: 1/15/2026

Scope note: This guide is educational only (not legal advice). It covers how marriage licenses are typically handled when you apply through the St. Johns County, Florida Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller. Rules and fees can change, so confirm details with the official clerk before you go.

Quick Answer

To get a marriage license in St. Johns County, Florida, both applicants typically apply in person with accepted photo ID and required identifying information; the license is issued by the clerk, but Florida residents may have a delayed effective date unless they present a premarital course certificate. See the clerk’s current requirements and fees on the St. Johns County Clerk — Marriage Licenses and Ceremonies page.

Fact Snapshot

Item	What to know
Where to apply	Apply through the St. Johns County Clerk’s office locations listed by the clerk; some annex locations require an appointment. Verify locations, hours, and appointment rules here: St. Johns County Clerk — Marriage Licenses and Ceremonies.
Fees (as posted by the clerk)	The clerk currently posts these fees: $61.00 for Florida residents (both took a premarital course) and $86.00 for Florida residents (no course) or couples with one or both out-of-state residents. Confirm current fees before you go: St. Johns County Clerk — Fees.
Waiting period / effective date	Florida law requires a 3-day delay in the effective date if the couple does not submit valid premarital course certificates, and it requires exceptions for non-Florida residents (and certain other situations). See: Florida Statutes — 741.04.
Premarital course discount	Florida law provides a $25 fee reduction when valid premarital course certificates are presented (course taken within 1 year), and the effective date may not be delayed when valid certificates are submitted. See: Florida Statutes — 741.01(4) and Florida Statutes — 741.04(5).
Validity window	A Florida marriage license is valid for 60 days after issuance, and the clerk must print the final valid date on the license. See: Florida Statutes — 741.041.
ID basics & required numbers	The St. Johns County Clerk lists accepted identification types for applicants, and Florida law requires Social Security numbers or other available identification numbers on the affidavit. See: St. Johns County Clerk — Marriage License Requirements and Florida Statutes — 741.04(2).

Quote-ready lines

A Florida marriage license is valid for 60 days after issuance, and the ceremony cannot be performed after the expiration date (see Florida Statutes — 741.041). If the couple does not submit valid premarital course certificates, Florida law requires the clerk to delay the effective date of the license by 3 days (see Florida Statutes — 741.04(5)). In St. Johns County, the clerk currently posts a $61.00 fee for Florida residents who both completed a premarital course and a $86.00 fee for couples without a course or with an out-of-state resident (see St. Johns County Clerk — Fees). Both applicants must be present and must present accepted identification when applying through the St. Johns County Clerk (see St. Johns County Clerk — Requirements). Florida marriage license applicants must provide Social Security numbers or other available identification numbers on the required affidavit (see Florida Statutes — 741.04(2)).

Introduction

If you are planning a wedding in St. Johns County, Florida, the first legal step is usually getting a marriage license from the clerk. This article walks through the typical steps, what to bring, and what can slow couples down. Because requirements can change, the safest plan is to use this guide to get organized and then confirm details with the official clerk before you go.

Key Takeaways

• Both applicants generally apply in person and bring accepted identification (see St. Johns County Clerk — Marriage License Requirements).
• Florida law delays the license effective date by 3 days when valid premarital course certificates are not submitted, and it requires exceptions for non-Florida residents (see Florida Statutes — 741.04(5)).
• Florida marriage licenses are valid for 60 days after issuance (see Florida Statutes — 741.041).
• The St. Johns County Clerk posts current fee options based on residency and whether a premarital course certificate is presented (see St. Johns County Clerk — Fees).
• Florida law requires Social Security numbers or other available identification numbers as part of the application affidavit (see Florida Statutes — 741.04(2)).

Step-by-Step Explanation

1. Start by confirming you are applying through the right office. This guide focuses on applying through the St. Johns County Clerk. The clerk publishes office locations, hours, and whether an appointment is required at certain annexes on the official page: St. Johns County Clerk — Marriage Licenses and Ceremonies.
2. Plan for both applicants to appear in person. The clerk’s requirements state that both parties must be present when applying, and both parties sign and affirm the application information (see St. Johns County Clerk — Marriage License Requirements).
3. Gather accepted identification and required information. The St. Johns County Clerk lists acceptable identification (for example, a U.S. driver license, a federal/state ID, or a passport with name and date of birth), and notes that some documents are not accepted (see St. Johns County Clerk — Identification Requirements). Florida law also requires an affidavit that includes each applicant’s Social Security number or another available identification number, with additional guidance for applicants who are not U.S. citizens (see Florida Statutes — 741.04(2)).
4. Be ready to provide prior-marriage details if applicable. If either applicant was previously married, the St. Johns County Clerk says the application needs the way the last marriage ended and the exact date it ended (and the clerk notes that copies of divorce decrees or death certificates are not required) (see St. Johns County Clerk — Prior Marriage Information).
5. Decide whether to use a premarital course certificate. In St. Johns County, the clerk explains that the mandatory three-day waiting period for Florida residents may be waived if the couple attends a premarital course (minimum of 4 hours) from a provider registered in St. Johns County and presents the certificate when applying (see St. Johns County Clerk — Waiting Period & Discount). If you want an overview of a premarital course option for St. Johns County couples and how the certificate typically fits into the clerk visit, you can review it here: premarital course option for St. Johns County couples. Florida law also provides a $25 fee reduction for couples who present valid premarital course certificates for a course taken within 1 year (see Florida Statutes — 741.01(4)).
6. Understand the effective date (“waiting period”) rules before you pick a ceremony date. Florida law requires the clerk to delay the effective date by 3 days when valid premarital course certificates are not submitted, and it requires exceptions for non-Florida residents (see Florida Statutes — 741.04(5)). The St. Johns County Clerk also summarizes this in plain language, including that there is no waiting period for non-Florida residents and that Florida residents must wait three days unless a qualifying certificate is presented (see St. Johns County Clerk — Waiting Period & Discounted License).
7. Apply, pay the fee, and double-check the printed dates. The clerk posts fee categories and notes that the marriage ceremony must take place within 60 days (see St. Johns County Clerk — Fees and Validity). Florida law states that marriage licenses are valid for 60 days after issuance and that the final valid date must be shown on the license (see Florida Statutes — 741.041).
8. After the ceremony, return the completed license for recording. The St. Johns County Clerk explains that the officiant completes and signs the marriage license after the ceremony, and the license must be returned to the clerk’s office to be recorded (see St. Johns County Clerk — Recording Instructions).
9. Get your certified copy after recording. The St. Johns County Clerk says a certified copy is returned once the license is recorded, and the clerk’s FAQ provides additional detail about certified copies and timing (see St. Johns County Clerk — Marriage FAQs).

Common Mistakes (and what to do instead)

• Mistake: Scheduling a ceremony date without checking the license effective date. Do instead: Confirm whether the 3-day delayed effective date applies or whether an exception applies (see Florida Statutes — 741.04(5)).
• Mistake: Bringing an ID that is not accepted by the clerk. Do instead: Use the clerk’s accepted identification list and confirm your documents meet the clerk’s requirements (see St. Johns County Clerk — Identification).
• Mistake: Forgetting to bring required identifying information, including Social Security numbers when applicable. Do instead: Prepare the required numbers in advance and follow the state affidavit requirement (see Florida Statutes — 741.04(2)).
• Mistake: Assuming the fee is the same in every Florida county. Do instead: Use the fee schedule posted by the clerk where you will apply (see St. Johns County Clerk — Fees).
• Mistake: Waiting too long after the license is issued. Do instead: Schedule the ceremony within the 60-day validity window and check the printed expiration date (see Florida Statutes — 741.041).
• Mistake: Not having prior-marriage end dates ready when an applicant was married before. Do instead: Bring the exact date and how the prior marriage ended, as listed by the clerk (see St. Johns County Clerk — Prior Marriage Information).

Real-World Tips

• Pick the application location first. Some St. Johns County annex locations require appointments, so choose the location that fits your schedule and verify the current rules on the clerk’s page (see St. Johns County Clerk — Office Locations).
• Keep your ceremony timeline simple. If the delayed effective date applies, plan the ceremony after the effective date printed on the license (see Florida Statutes — 741.04(5)).
• Take photos of your paperwork. After the application, keep a clear photo of the license details (especially the effective date and expiration date) so you can reference it quickly (validity rules are in Florida Statutes — 741.041).
• Ask what happens next for recording. Confirm how and where the completed license should be returned so it can be recorded, as described by the clerk (see St. Johns County Clerk — Recording Instructions).

When to Verify / Who to Contact

For the most accurate, current instructions in St. Johns County, Florida, verify your plan with the St. Johns County Clerk’s official marriage license page, which includes locations, hours, and contact information: St. Johns County Clerk — Marriage Licenses and Ceremonies. If you have a specific question about what to bring (including identification and Social Security number requirements) or what to expect after the ceremony, the clerk’s marriage FAQ is a helpful official reference: St. Johns County Clerk — Marriage FAQs.

Next Step

If you want an organized step-by-step option for completing a premarital course and preparing the certificate you may present when applying, you can start here: organized St. Johns County premarital course steps.

FAQ

Do both applicants have to appear in person in St. Johns County?

Yes, both applicants must be present when applying through the St. Johns County Clerk. The clerk’s requirements state that both parties apply together and provide identification (see St. Johns County Clerk — Marriage License Requirements).

Is there a waiting period to get married after the license is issued?

It depends on whether valid premarital course certificates are submitted and whether an exception applies. Florida law requires a 3-day delayed effective date when valid certificates are not submitted, and it provides exceptions for non-Florida residents (see Florida Statutes — 741.04(5)).

How long is a Florida marriage license valid?

A Florida marriage license is valid for 60 days after issuance. Florida law also requires the final valid date to be printed on the license (see Florida Statutes — 741.041).

What identification is accepted when applying in St. Johns County?

The St. Johns County Clerk lists accepted identification types (such as a U.S. driver license, federal/state ID, or a passport showing name and date of birth). Always confirm your documents match the clerk’s current requirements (see St. Johns County Clerk — Identification).

Do we need Social Security numbers to apply?

Florida law requires applicants to provide Social Security numbers or other available identification numbers on the required affidavit. The statute also includes guidance for applicants who are not U.S. citizens and for applicants without certain numbers (see Florida Statutes — 741.04(2)).

Can we apply in St. Johns County and have the ceremony in another Florida county?

Yes, a Florida marriage license can be used for a ceremony in Florida within the validity period. The St. Johns County Clerk notes that a Florida license can only be used in Florida and that the ceremony must occur within the valid timeframe (see St. Johns County Clerk — Marriage FAQs).

Sources & Review

Official sources used

• St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller — Marriage Licenses and Ceremonies
• St. Johns County Clerk — Marriage Frequently Asked Questions
• Florida Statutes — Section 741.04 (Issuance of marriage license)
• Florida Statutes — Section 741.01 (Marriage license fee; premarital course reduction)
• Florida Statutes — Section 741.041 (Marriage license valid for 60 days)

Disclaimer

This content is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Marriage license requirements, fees, and office procedures can change, so confirm current details with the official St. Johns County Clerk and applicable Florida statutes before you apply.