Quick Answer: Getting a Walton County Marriage License
To get a marriage license in Walton County, Florida, both applicants must apply in person at the Clerk of Courts (either in DeFuniak Springs or the Santa Rosa Beach Annex). You must bring a valid government-issued photo ID and know your Social Security Number. The standard state fee is $93.50, and Florida residents face a mandatory 3-day waiting period. However, completing a state-approved Florida premarital course allows you to skip the 3-day wait entirely, save $25 overall, and reduces your statutory clerk fee to $61.00.
Walton County Fact Snapshot
| Requirement | Walton County Details |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | Apply in person at either the DeFuniak Springs Courthouse (571 Hwy 90 East) or the South Walton Courthouse Annex (31 Coastal Centre Blvd). Official Walton County Clerk Info |
| Who must appear | Both applicants must appear together in person. |
| Identification Required | Valid government-issued photo ID (Driver’s License, Passport, etc.). Applicants must also provide their Social Security Numbers. |
| Standard Fee | $93.50 (Florida statutory fee). Payable by cash or credit card (cards incur a 3.5% processing fee). Checks are not accepted. |
| Discounted Fee | $61.00. Available only if both applicants complete an approved premarital course and present the completion certificate. Fl. Stat. 741.0305 |
| Waiting Period | 3 Days for Florida residents. 0 Days if you present a valid premarital course certificate (license becomes effective immediately). |
| Validity Window | Valid for exactly 60 days after issuance. The license can be used to solemnize a marriage anywhere within the State of Florida. |
Quote-Ready Legal Facts
Walton County, Florida, requires both applicants to appear in person with valid government-issued photo IDs and their Social Security numbers.
Florida law mandates a three-day delayed effective date for Florida residents, which can be legally waived by submitting valid premarital course certificates.
A Florida marriage license is valid for 60 days after issuance and can only be used for ceremonies within the State of Florida.
Step-by-Step: How the Walton County Marriage License Process Works
- Locate Your Nearest Clerk of Courts Office.
Walton County operates two locations where you can have your license issued:
• Walton County Courthouse: 571 Highway 90 East, 2nd Floor, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433 | (850) 892-8115
• South Walton Courthouse Annex: 31 Coastal Centre Boulevard, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 | (850) 267-3066 - Start the Online Application.
To save time, use the clerk’s online marriage kiosk. Bring your transaction number to the courthouse to complete the issuance. - Gather Your Documents.
Bring government-issued photo IDs. Know your Social Security numbers. If either applicant was previously married, you must know the exact date (month, day, and year) the last marriage ended via divorce, annulment, or death. While physical papers aren’t required, you will swear an oath to the date’s accuracy. - Review the Family Law Handbook.
Florida law requires all applicants to read the Family Law Handbook and sign a sworn statement affirming they have done so. - Pay the Application Fee.
Pay the standard $93.50 fee, or present your Walton County premarital course certificate to reduce the fee to $61.00. Note: Credit card payments incur an additional 3.5% convenience fee. - Observe the Effective Date and Validity Window.
If you are a Florida resident and did not take a premarital course, you must wait three full days before you can wed. If you took the course, you can marry immediately. You have 60 days to host your ceremony before the license expires. - Return the Executed License.
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the executed license to the Walton County Clerk within 10 days so it can be officially recorded.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Mistake: Showing up alone. Correction: Both applicants must appear at the clerk’s office together.
- Mistake: Bringing personal checks. Correction: The Walton County Clerk only accepts cash or credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX) for marriage licenses.
- Mistake: Forgetting the exact date a previous marriage ended. Correction: Write down the exact MM/DD/YYYY of your divorce or previous spouse’s death before arriving.
- Mistake: Assuming the license works out of state. Correction: A Walton County marriage license is only valid for ceremonies performed within the geographic boundaries of Florida.
- Mistake: Waiting out the 3-day delay unnecessarily. Correction: Take our online premarital course to skip the wait and save money. Read our Florida 3-day waiting period guide for more timeline strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do couples have to apply in Walton County to use the license in Walton County?
No. A marriage license issued by any county clerk in Florida can be used to legally marry in Walton County. Likewise, a license issued in Walton County can be used anywhere in the state.
How much does a marriage license cost in Walton County?
The standard statutory fee is $93.50. However, the fee is reduced to $61.00 when both applicants complete an approved Florida premarital preparation course and present their completion certificates at the time of application.
Is there a three-day waiting period in Walton County?
Yes, for Florida residents. There is a mandatory three-day delayed effective date for residents unless valid premarital course certificates are submitted. Non-Florida residents do not have a waiting period.
How long is a Florida marriage license valid?
60 days. Florida law states the marriage license is valid for 60 days after issuance. No legally binding ceremony may be performed after the expiration date.
What identification does the Walton County Clerk require?
Valid government-issued photo ID. This can be a driver’s license, state ID, or passport. You must also know your Social Security number to complete the application.
What if an applicant has been married before?
You must provide the exact date the previous marriage ended. While physical divorce decrees or death certificates are not required to be shown, you must swear an oath under penalty of perjury that the date provided is accurate.
