General Information

At the Marriage License Department of the Clerk’s Office, we’re happy to serve those who plan to marry, and we hope you find this page informative. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at (904) 255-2000.

Any couple wanting to get married in Florida may apply for a license in our office, located in Room 2403 in the Duval County Courthouse or at the Beaches Branch location in Neptune Beach.

Residents of Florida who apply for a marriage license have a choice: you can wait three days for the license to become effective, or you can attend a premarital preparation course from a registered provider waiving the three day waiting period. If you’d like to attend one of these premarital courses, a directory of course providers is available at all court locations. Please note that the Marriage License Department does not offer this course.

If you’re not a resident of Florida, there is no waiting period.

We invite you to visit our online Premarital Course Provider Search to locate a registered provider near you. (Please see clerk for certificate requirements.)

Marriage License Requirements

There are two basic requirements for getting a marriage license:

• Both parties (spouse 1 and spouse 2) must be age 18 or over and must apply in person at the same time.
• There are two forms of identification that may be required, described below.

The first form of identification required is a valid photo identification issued by the federal or state government. The photo identification must have the correct legal name, date of birth and signature of the applicant.

The following valid proofs of photo identifications are accepted:

• Driver's license (U.S. state or government)
• Passport
• U.S. military identification
• State identification card (U.S. state or government)
• Alien registration card

A second form of identification is required if the applicant has been issued a U.S. Social Security number. In accordance with Florida State Statute, any person who has been issued a Social Security number will need to provide that number. Any person who is not a citizen of the U.S. may provide either a Social Security number or an alien registration number, if one has been issued. If neither has been issued, another form of identification may be required.

Here are a few other things it will be helpful to know:

• No blood tests are required.
• You do not need to be a resident of this county or of Florida to obtain a marriage license. Marriage licenses are for use in the state within 60 days of the date of issue.
• By law, the Family Law Handbook must be read before you get a marriage license. It is available for viewing on this page.
• If either applicant has been previously married, the exact date of the last divorce, death or annulment must be provided.

Please visit our electronic marriage license section below for additional information

Fees

Marriage license and application: $86.00

Discounted marriage license and application (available after completion of a premarital preparation course by a registered counselor, with proof that the course was taken): $61.00

Electronic Marriage License Application

Due to COVID-19, the marriage license department is currently issuing licenses exclusively through an online appointment system. Appointments can be made for an electronic appointment session via the Zoom application or an in-person appointment session at the Clerk’s Beaches Branch (1543 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach FL 32266). You will make your selection between Zoom and in-person at the Beaches Branch after filling out the eMarriage Pre-Application below.

First, you must complete the eMarriage Pre-Application.

Using the eMarriage Pre-Application System:

1. Read the disclaimer to understand that by filling out the online application, you must still appear before the Clerk and meet the State of Florida's requirements for a marriage license. Simply completing the online form does not mean you are married.
2. Enter information in all the required fields and submit. Your information will go into the Clerk's queue.
3. You will receive an on-screen confirmation that you have successfully completed the online application – PLEASE SAVE THIS NUMBER FOR YOUR ONLINE APPOINTMENT.
4. Within 60 days of completing the online application, both parties must come together to the Marriage License with proper identification and form of payment.
5. The three (3) day waiting period does not begin until the couple appears before a marriage license clerk to complete the application process.
6. Per Florida Statute 741.04(4)(b), you must verify that both parties have read our Marriage License Handbook

Online Marriage License Application Appointment:

After completing the eMarriage Pre-Application, you will set an appointment for your marriage license application. You MUST take this step as simply completing the eMarriage Pre-Application does not mean you have been issued a marriage license.

All appointments will be taking place either by using the Zoom application or in-person at the Clerk’s Beaches Branch. If you do not already have Zoom installed on your device, you may wish to download it in advance of your appointment. Zoom can be downloaded by visiting Zoom, the GooglePlay store, or the Apple app store depending on your type of device. Laptops or desktops with web cameras are preferred, but most mobile devices with video and audio capabilities will work, except for Apple iPhones.

Zoom Appointment Procedures:

1. During the Zoom appointment, you will be required to show a state issued photo identification or a passport.  Your Social Security Number is also required, but you are not required to actually present the card. If you or your significant other have been divorced, you will need to provide the date of the dissolution of marriage.
2. The cost of obtaining a Marriage License is $86. If you have had premarital counseling and can provide a certificate of completion from a registered counselor in Duval County the cost will be $61.00. The payment method is by credit card only. During the session you will be asked to pay for the costs of the application by utilizing Payment Website. ***Please do not make payments in advance*** There is a 2.75% transaction fee charged on all transactions.
3. Per Florida Statue, your Marriage License is valid for 60 days after the effective date and cannot be extended. Please keep this in mind if you have not found an officiant to marry you at this time. Also, there is a three (3) day waiting period. The three (3) day waiting period does not begin until the couple appears before a marriage license clerk (Online Zoom Appointment) to complete the application process.
4. Please note that the Clerk’s Office is only providing the marriage license. This session is not a ceremony and you will not be married at the end of the session. The Clerk’s Office is not able to recommend an officiant.
5. Upon completion of the appointment, your Marriage License will be emailed to the email address you provided. Print out the license and on the day of your ceremony, give it to the officiant that will be performing the ceremony, which must take place in the state of Florida. Once the officiant has performed the ceremony, please mail it or drop it off to the address below. Once received, the marriage license will be recorded and two certified copies will be mailed to the address provided when you applied for the Marriage License.

Mailing Address

Waiting Period

The mandatory three-day waiting period for Florida residents may be waived if the couple attends a premarital course from a registered provider and presents a certificate of completion when applying for a license. There is no waiting period for non-Florida residents.

Discounted License

Both residents and non-residents of Florida may receive a $25.00 discount on their marriage license by completing a premarital course. The course must be completed no more than one year before the date you apply for a marriage license. Please note that both parties must attend the course, and a certificate of completion must be presented at the time of application to be eligible for the discount.

Getting Copies of Marriage Licenses

To view a marriage license recorded in Duval County since 1988, you can simply search the official records online at www.oncore.duvalclerk.com. Uncertified copies may be downloaded and printed on your own printer for free. If you’d like a certified copy, please contact or visit the Official Records and Research Department in room 1253 or call (904) 255-2200. We’ll be glad to help you.

If your license was obtained in another county or state, please note that you’ll have to search the records in that county or state. The Bureau of Vital Statistics houses all marriage licenses issued in Florida and is located at:

Phone: (904)359-6900

Name Changes on Other Documents

If your marriage involves a change of name or address, please remember to notify the following agencies:

• Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Division of Driver Licenses
• Local Social Security office
• Supervisor of Elections (voter registration)
• Military Reserve Commanding Officer

Requirements for Minors

Requirements for minors 17 years old (one or both applicants):

In addition to the requirements listed above, the following documents must be presented when one or both of the applicants are 17 years old.

Any applicant under the age of 18 must have the consent of all parents or guardians. If custody of the minor has been granted to one parent, original proof must be provided. Consent forms are available from this office for your convenience. If one parent is deceased, a certified copy of the death certificate is required. Proof of age and parents’ identity is also required. This may be done with a certified copy of the person’s birth certificate. If the parents’ names do not match, additional proof may be required.

A parental consent form may be completed at the time of the application. Both parents must be present with their own identification on hand. If the parents are divorced and one parent has full custody of the minor, proof of custody must be presented, and only the consent of the custodial parent will be required in writing.

A judicial review may be required.

A previously married minor may apply without parental consent.

Office Information

Marriage License Department

Office Hours

Monday through Friday (excluding holidays): 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Note: Because of processing times, couples wishing to apply for a marriage license must arrive at the Marriage License Department no later than 4:30 p.m. (Please allow 30 minutes to complete the application process.)

Mailing Address

Phone: (904) 255-2000