Florida Marriage License: Complete 2026 Guide for Couples
A Florida marriage license is the legal document that allows you to be married anywhere in the state. You apply at any Florida county clerk’s office, pay around $86, and walk out with the license the same day for non-residents — or after a 3-day waiting period for Florida residents. The license is valid for 60 days and can be used in any of Florida’s 67 counties.
How do you get a Florida marriage license?
You get a Florida marriage license by applying together, in person, at any county clerk’s office in the state. Both partners must show up at the same time with valid photo ID and the application fee.
It does not matter which county you apply in. A license issued in Orange County is valid for a beach ceremony in Brevard, a Disney-area wedding in Lake Buena Vista, or a courthouse elopement in Pinellas. Pick the office most convenient to you.
Most couples bring their driver’s licenses or passports, complete a short application form on site, pay the fee, and leave with the license in hand. The whole appointment usually takes 30 minutes — sometimes less if you have your paperwork ready.
If you are a Florida resident, the license is held for a 3-day waiting period before you can use it. If you live out of state, you skip that wait completely and can marry the same day.
What are the requirements for a Florida marriage license?
A Florida marriage license requires both partners to be at least 18, present together, and able to provide a valid government-issued photo ID. There is no residency requirement, no blood test, and no health screening.
If either partner has been previously married, you will need the exact date of the divorce, annulment, or spouse’s death. Florida no longer requires you to bring the certified divorce decree — you simply state the date on the application — but bring it anyway if you have it, just in case.
Couples who are 17 may marry with parental consent and a court order, but only if the age difference between partners is less than two years. Anyone under 17 cannot legally marry in Florida.
Same-sex couples have full legal access to Florida marriage licenses. The same application, the same fee, the same process — no separate paperwork.
How much does a Florida marriage license cost in 2026?
A Florida marriage license costs $86 for non-residents and Florida residents who choose not to take the premarital course. Florida residents who complete an approved 4-hour premarital preparation course pay the reduced fee of $61.
The premarital course discount also waives the 3-day waiting period for residents. So if you live in Florida and want to marry quickly, the course saves you both time and $25.
Most county clerk offices accept cash, credit, or debit. Cheques are usually not accepted. The fee is paid at the time of application — you cannot reserve a license and pay later.
Note: a few counties charge a small additional administrative fee, usually under $5. Always check your specific county clerk’s website before you go, just so you know the exact total.
Is there a waiting period for a Florida marriage license?
Yes — Florida residents face a 3-day waiting period before the license becomes valid for use. The waiting period starts the moment the license is issued and ends 72 hours later. Out-of-state couples have no waiting period at all.
This catches a lot of Florida couples off guard. If you apply on a Wednesday, you cannot legally marry until Saturday. If you are planning a Friday ceremony, that means applying by Tuesday at the latest.
The 3-day wait is waived in two situations: if you complete a state-approved premarital preparation course, or if a judge grants a hardship waiver (rare, and usually requires deployment or serious medical reasons).
For destination couples flying in from out of state, none of this applies. You can land in Orlando on Friday morning, get your license Friday afternoon, and marry Friday evening.
This is the moment most couples realise the license timing has to fit around the ceremony — not the other way around. At Orlando Wedding Officiants, we coordinate the whole picture: when to apply, when the license expires, and how it lines up with your ceremony date. Want to talk it through? Take a look at our wedding officiant services or book a free consultation — we’ll walk you through exactly when to apply.
How long is a Florida marriage license valid?
A Florida marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. After that, it expires — and you have to apply for a brand new one if you still want to marry.
The 60-day clock cannot be paused, extended, or rolled over. It does not matter if a hurricane delays your ceremony, if a family member falls ill, or if you simply changed your mind on the date. Sixty days is sixty days.
Once the ceremony has taken place, your officiant signs the license and returns it to the county clerk’s office for recording, usually within 10 days. The clerk then issues a certified marriage certificate — the document you’ll use to change your name, update your tax filing, or apply for spousal benefits.
Couples who want to elope quickly love this part: a Florida license is one of the fastest, simplest, and most flexible in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Florida Marriage License
Do you need a witness for a Florida marriage license?
No — Florida does not require witnesses for the marriage license itself, and witnesses are not required at the ceremony either. Some couples still ask one or two friends to sign the license as witnesses for sentimental reasons, but it is purely optional and has no legal effect on the marriage.
Can out-of-state couples get a Florida marriage license?
Yes — out-of-state couples can get a Florida marriage license without any residency requirement. You apply in person at any Florida county clerk’s office on arrival, pay $86, and the license is valid the same day with no waiting period. Many destination couples apply the morning of their ceremony.
Do you need a blood test for a Florida marriage license?
No — Florida abolished the blood test requirement for marriage licenses years ago. You do not need a medical examination, STD screening, or any health certificate to apply. The only requirements are valid photo ID, being at least 18, and applying together in person at a county clerk’s office.
Can the 3-day waiting period be waived in Florida?
Yes — Florida residents can waive the 3-day waiting period by completing a state-approved 4-hour premarital preparation course before applying. The course also reduces the license fee from $86 to $61. Out-of-state couples are exempt from the waiting period entirely and never need a waiver.
What happens if your Florida marriage license expires before the wedding?
If your Florida marriage license expires, it becomes legally void and cannot be used — even one day past the 60-day window. You must reapply at any county clerk’s office, pay the full fee again, and start the process from scratch. The original license cannot be reactivated, extended, or refunded.
Ready to plan your Florida ceremony?
Sorting the license is the legal step. The ceremony itself — the words, the moments, the way it actually feels — is what we do at Orlando Wedding Officiants. Whether you’re planning a courthouse elopement, a Disney-area celebration, or a sunset ceremony on Cocoa Beach, our wedding officiant services cover personalised vows, full ceremony coordination, and the license filing afterwards. Book a free consultation and let’s make sure your ceremony feels exactly like you. For more on the legal details, see our State of Florida Marriage License guide, and if you’re flying in, our guide to getting married in Florida from out of state walks you through every step.