Before the flowers, the venue or the vows, every Florida wedding needs one practical thing: a marriage license. The good news is Florida makes it fairly easy — you can apply at any county clerk’s office, it’s valid statewide, and out-of-state couples skip the waiting period entirely. Florida residents face a three-day wait unless they complete a short premarital course, which also cuts the fee. This guide covers exactly where to apply, what it costs, the rules on waiting and validity, and the one thing the license alone doesn’t do — make you married. For that, you’ll need an officiant.
How Do You Get a Marriage License in Florida?
Both partners apply together, in person, at any Florida county clerk’s office — you don’t have to apply in the county where your ceremony will happen. Bring valid photo ID (a driver’s license or passport works) and, if either of you has been divorced within the last 30 days, be ready to state the date it was finalized.
Once it’s issued, the license is valid anywhere in the state of Florida — apply in Orlando and get married in the Keys if you want to. There’s no residency requirement to apply; you just need to show up together with ID.
How Much Does a Florida Marriage License Cost?
It’s a set county fee, and it’s the same across most Florida counties. The fee drops if both partners are Florida residents and complete a state-approved premarital preparation course before applying.
The course typically takes a few hours, can often be completed online, and does double duty: it reduces the fee and waives the three-day waiting period described below. For a lot of couples, it’s worth doing purely for the time savings.
Is There a Waiting Period for a Florida Marriage License?
For Florida residents, yes — a three-day waiting period between when the license is issued and when the ceremony can take place. Completing a premarital preparation course waives that wait entirely.
Out-of-state couples have no waiting period at all, regardless of whether they take the course. That’s one of the reasons Florida is such a popular destination-wedding state — you can apply and marry within days of arriving.
How Long Is a Florida Marriage License Valid?
A Florida marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date it’s issued. Your ceremony has to happen within that window, or the license expires and you’ll need to reapply and pay the fee again.
After the ceremony, it’s the officiant’s job — not yours — to sign the license and return it to the clerk’s office. That’s the step that actually makes the marriage official in the eyes of the state, which is why the license and the ceremony are two separate pieces of the same puzzle.
Can Out-of-State Couples Get Married in Florida?
Yes. Non-residents can apply at any Florida county clerk’s office with no waiting period, which is a big part of why so many couples choose Florida for a destination wedding.
The process is identical to a resident application — same ID, same in-person requirement, same 60-day validity — you just skip the three-day wait. If you’re planning to marry here from out of state, our guide to getting married in Florida from out of state covers travel timing, paperwork to bring, and a few things couples don’t expect.
A License Isn’t a Wedding — You’ll Still Need an Officiant
Here’s the part couples sometimes miss: the marriage license is paperwork, not a ceremony. Filling it out and getting it signed by the clerk doesn’t make you married — it just makes you eligible to be married, within the 60-day window.
You still need someone registered to solemnize the ceremony and return the signed license afterward — that’s the officiant’s role, and it’s a required legal step, not an optional add-on. (If you’re wondering how a license differs from a marriage certificate — the document you get after the wedding — our license vs. certificate guide breaks down the difference.)
This is where Orlando Wedding Officiants comes in. Once your paperwork is sorted, we handle the ceremony itself — the words, the pacing, the signing and returning of the license — so the legal side and the personal side both land the way they should. Explore our wedding officiant services to see how we approach it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Marriage Licenses
How do you get a marriage license in Florida?
Both partners apply together in person at any Florida county clerk’s office with valid photo ID. The license is valid anywhere in the state.
How much does a Florida marriage license cost?
It’s a set county fee, reduced if Florida residents complete a state-approved premarital preparation course.
Is there a waiting period for a marriage license in Florida?
For Florida residents, yes — a three-day waiting period, which is waived if you complete a premarital course. Out-of-state couples have no waiting period.
How long is a Florida marriage license valid?
It’s valid for 60 days from issue. The ceremony must take place within that window, and the officiant returns the signed license to the clerk.
Can out-of-state couples get married in Florida?
Yes. Non-residents can apply at any county clerk with no waiting period, which is part of why Florida is such a popular destination-wedding state.
Ready for the Ceremony Part?
Got your license sorted? The next step is an officiant to make it official. Orlando Wedding Officiants marries couples across Central Florida. Check availability.