From the marriage license to coordinating the wedding professionals in the area, you’ll need to know the basics about getting married in Florida before taking the plunge. If you’re planning a destination wedding at an area resort or island off the coast of the Sunshine State, the rules and regulations may be very different from your home state. Fees, legal requirements, and licensing processes vary by the state you apply in; here’s what you need to know about getting married in Florida:
1. Marriage license costs. The marriage license in Florida is $93.50 and you can only pay by cash. If you take the state-sanctioned marriage preparation course, you can pay just $56.00; this is a cost setup by the Florida Legislature that changes each year. Be sure to get the details on what you qualify well beforehand! Also keep in mind that the marriage license is only valid for 60 days.
2. Proof of Age. The legal marriage age is 18 in the state of Florida, but anyone under 16 can apply for a marriage license that must be issued by a county judge. Both parties will need to provide some form of ID to verify their age to the Clerk’s Office; a driver’s license, state identification card, and passport, along with a social security card, are the standard options.
3. Records. If you need copies of your records, the Division of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville is the office you need to get in touch with. Call (904) 359-6955 for more information.
4. The waiting period. If you’re not a Florida resident, you won’t have to worry about a waiting period if you take the four-hour prep course. Florida residents, however, do need to wait at least 3 days before being able to obtain the marriage license–unless they’ve taken the marriage preparation course.
5. Required reading. Every prospective couple is required to read a booklet about the general rules and requirements of marriage licensing in Florida. The Family Law Handbook includes information on child support payments, asset allocations, and general marriage advice.
6. Finding a prep course provider. Offices in Florida that offer the marriage preparation classes include the Clerk of the CircuitC Court, Florida Cooperative Extension educators, mental health counselors, and state-approved marriage therapists.
7. Name changes. The bride can start using her spouse’s name (or the hyphenated form) as soon as vows are exchanged. To make this formal change on documents and personal accounts, you’ll need to provide a copy of the certified marriage license to process the changes.
Getting married in Florida is a fairly simple process, and shouldn’t take longer than a week to pull together all the necessary paperwork and complete the state-sanctioned course. Your marriage license will be required for all name changes and account transfers, and you’ll want to make sure all information is as accurate and up-to-date as possible. Good luck with your marriage in the Sunshine State!
