To get married in Florida: both partners apply in person for a marriage license at any county clerk (about $86, valid 60 days), observe the 3-day waiting period if you’re a Florida resident, then hold a ceremony led by an authorized officiant who files the signed license. Non-residents can marry with no waiting period, making Florida a popular destination-wedding state.
How to get married in Florida: step by step
Here’s the full process, start to finish:
- Apply together, in person — Both partners must apply together, in person, for a marriage license at any Florida county clerk’s office — it doesn’t have to be the county where you’ll marry.
- Pay the license fee — The fee is commonly around $86, though it can vary slightly by county — confirm the current fee with the specific clerk’s office you’ll be visiting.
- Observe the waiting period, if it applies to you — Florida residents wait 3 days after applying before the license is valid, unless they complete a state-approved premarital preparation course, which waives the wait. Non-residents skip this step entirely — no waiting period applies.
- Hold your ceremony within 60 days — The license is valid for 60 days from issuance. Your ceremony needs to be led by an authorized officiant — ordained clergy, a notary public, or certain judicial officers all qualify in Florida.
- Make sure the signed license gets filed — After the ceremony, your officiant is responsible for filing the signed license with the county. This is the step that officially completes the process — a beautiful ceremony doesn’t finish the paperwork on its own.
Can out-of-state couples get married in Florida?
Yes. Non-residents face no waiting period in Florida, which is a big part of why it’s such a popular destination-wedding state.
Florida residents have to wait 3 days after applying unless they complete a premarital course — but if you live out of state, that wait doesn’t apply to you at all. You can apply for your license and hold your ceremony within the same trip, which is exactly why so many couples choose Florida for a destination wedding rather than dealing with waiting-period rules back home.
Who can legally perform a wedding in Florida?
Ordained clergy, notaries public, and certain judicial officers may solemnize marriages in Florida.
Florida is somewhat unusual in allowing notaries public to officiate weddings — most states don’t extend this to notaries specifically. This is part of why many couples work with a professional wedding officiant rather than trying to arrange a judge or find clergy through a religious institution they may not otherwise be connected to.
How far in advance should we get the marriage license?
Get your license within 60 days of the wedding, since it expires 60 days after issuance.
Applying too early risks the license lapsing before your ceremony happens — if that occurs, you’d need to reapply and pay the fee again. Applying too close to the wedding date can be stressful if there’s any paperwork issue to resolve, like ID questions or documentation from a prior marriage. A few weeks out is usually a comfortable middle ground.
Do we need a blood test or other requirements?
No. Florida abolished blood test requirements for marriage licenses decades ago.
You’ll need valid photo ID for both partners, and if either of you was previously married, documentation of how that marriage ended (divorce decree or death certificate) — but no medical testing is part of the process. Once your paperwork is sorted, the next thing to plan is the ceremony itself — see our complete Wedding Ceremony Script guide for a full template covering welcome through pronouncement.
Ready to bring the legal side and the ceremony together? Complete our 5-minute Ceremony Intake Form and we’ll help make sure your license, officiant, and ceremony all line up correctly. Complete the Ceremony Intake Form →
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Married in Florida
Q1: What are the steps to get married in Florida?
Apply together in person for a marriage license, observe any applicable waiting period, hold a ceremony led by an authorized officiant, and make sure the signed license gets filed with the county afterward. Missing that final filing step is the most common way couples run into paperwork problems later.
Q2: Can out-of-state couples get married in Florida?
Yes. Non-residents face no waiting period in Florida, unlike residents who must wait three days unless they complete a state-approved premarital course. This is a big part of why Florida is such a popular destination-wedding state — out-of-state couples can apply and marry within the same trip.
Q3: Who can legally perform a wedding in Florida?
Ordained clergy, notaries public, and certain judicial officers may solemnize marriages in Florida. Florida is somewhat unusual in allowing notaries public to officiate weddings, which is why many couples work with a professional wedding officiant rather than a religious leader or judge.
Q4: How far in advance should we get the marriage license?
Get your license within 60 days of the wedding, since it expires 60 days after issuance. Applying too early risks the license lapsing before the ceremony; applying too close to the date can be stressful if there’s any paperwork issue to resolve.
Q5: Do we need a blood test to get married in Florida?
No. Florida abolished blood test requirements for marriage licenses decades ago. You’ll need valid photo ID and, if previously married, documentation of how that marriage ended — but no medical testing is required as part of the licensing process.
Ready to Plan Your Florida Wedding?
Ready to bring the legal side and the ceremony together? Complete our 5-minute Ceremony Intake Form and let’s plan it together: Ceremony Intake Form →.
