• Florida marriage license

    Know the paperwork before the beach day.

    You can get your license from any Florida county and use it anywhere in the state. Here are the basics, including what Florida residents and destination couples need to know.

    Florida marriage license basics

    Where to apply

    Apply through a Florida Clerk of the Circuit Court. You do not have to apply in the county where you live or where the ceremony will take place. Application and appointment options vary by county.

    How much it costs

    Gulf, Franklin, and Bay counties currently list the standard fee as $86. Couples who complete an approved premarital course pay $61. Card or online service fees may be extra.

    When you can use it

    The license is valid for 60 days after it is issued and may be used anywhere in Florida. The ceremony must happen on or after the license’s effective date and before it expires.

    Waiting period

    • Both applicants are Florida residents: there is normally a three-day delay before the license becomes effective.
    • Both applicants completed an approved premarital course: the three-day delay is waived and the fee is reduced. Bring the completion certificate when you apply.
    • Neither applicant is a Florida resident: there is no three-day waiting period.
    • One applicant is a Florida resident: confirm the timing with the clerk before making travel plans.

    What to bring

    Both applicants generally apply together and should be ready to provide valid photo identification and Social Security numbers or another identification number allowed by Florida law. If either person was previously married, bring the exact date the marriage ended and the requested divorce, death, or annulment details. Both applicants must also read the Florida Family Law Handbook. Check your chosen clerk’s instructions before going because appointment, document, payment, and remote-application rules differ.

    Where to start on the Forgotten Coast

    Gulf CountyPort St. Joe, Cape San Blas, Mexico Beach, and nearby ceremonies.Franklin CountyApalachicola, St. George Island, Carrabelle, and nearby ceremonies.Bay CountyPanama City, Panama City Beach, and nearby ceremonies.Florida clerk guidanceStatewide application guidance and identification basics.

    After the ceremony

    Bring the original license to the ceremony. We complete the officiant section and return it to the clerk that issued it within the required 10-day period. The issuing clerk records the marriage and provides certified-copy instructions.

    Last verified September 19, 2026. This is practical guidance, not legal advice. Fees, hours, documents, appointments, and application methods can change. The clerk that will issue your license is the final authority.

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