If you’ve just set a date for your wedding, this can be an exciting time for the two of you! Don’t let the marriage license laws of Florida put a dent in your wedding plans.

Here’s what you need to know and what documents to bring with you before you apply for a Florida marriage license. We recommend getting this legal aspect of your wedding out of the way about a month before your wedding date.

Congratulations and much happiness as you begin your lifetime journey together!

Requirements may vary as each county in Florida could have their own requirements.

Residency Requirement:  You do not have to be a resident of Florida.

ID Requirement:  Florida requires that you have a picture ID such as a driver’s license and your Social Security card or a valid passport number, or I-94 card.  You may be asked for a certified copy of your birth certificate.

Previous Marriages:  If you have been previously married, the date of your divorce or date of your spouse’s death must be supplied. If the divorce or spouse’s death occurred within the past 30 days, a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate is required.

Couples who have completed a state-sanctioned marriage preparation course within the past 12 months are entitled to a discount.

Other Tests:  None

Proxy Marriages:  No

Cousin Marriages:  Yes

Common Law Marriages:  No

Same Sex Marriages:  No

Under 18:  If an individual is under 18 years of age, but older than 16 years of age, a marriage license can be obtained with parental consent. If a parent has sole custody or the other parent is dead, the permission of one parent is sufficient. If a person is under the age of 16, the marriage license has to be issued by a county judge, with or without parental permission. If a minor’s parents are both deceased and there is not an appointed guardian, he/she may apply for a marriage license. A minor who has been previously married may also apply for a license. A minor who swears that they have a child or are expecting a baby, can apply for a license if the pregnancy has been verfied by a written statement from a licensed physician. A county court judge may at his/her discretion issue or not issue a license for them to marry.

Officiants:  Any ordained or licensed clergy, notary publics, and justices of the peace.

Miscellaneous:  License is valid for sixty (60) days.