Marriage License

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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.

First, you must complete the eMarriage Pre-Application.

Using the eMarriage Pre-Application System:

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.
Enter information in all the required fields and submit. Your information will go into the Clerk's queue.
You will receive an on-screen confirmation that you have successfully completed the online application – PLEASE SAVE THIS NUMBER FOR YOUR ONLINE APPOINTMENT.
Within 60 days of completing the online application, both parties must come together to the Marriage License with proper identification and form of payment.
The three (3) day waiting period does not begin until the couple appears before a marriage license clerk to complete the application process.
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 using the Zoom application. 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:

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.
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 this Payment Website. ***Please do not make payments in advance*** There is a 2.75% transaction fee charged on all transactions.
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.
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.
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

Duval County Clerk of Courts

Attn: MARRIAGE LICENSE DEPARTMENT

501 West Adams Street, Room 2403

Jacksonville, FL 32202

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:

Bureau of Vital Statistics

1217 N. Pearl St.

Jacksonville, FL 32202

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.

Documents & Publications

Frequently Asked Questions

Who may apply for a marriage license?

Any person age 18 or older
A minor whose parents are deceased and who has no appointed guardian
Minors who, under oath, swear that they are parents or expectant parents of a child can petition a judge to issue a license. A pregnancy must be confirmed by a licensed physician.
A previously married minor
A person age 17 with parental or guardian consent

Please Note: If any person is a minor, both parents must give consent unless the parents are divorced and the custody and control of the child is placed with one parent. All written consents must be notarized, a task that can be performed at the Clerk's Office for a fee of $7.00. If divorced, the parent must present a certified copy of the divorce papers.

What do I need to apply for a marriage license?

If the parties applying for a license have children together that were born in Florida, they must fill out the Affirmation of Children Born in Florida form (DH743A).
Both parties must apply together in person.
Each party must show a valid driver's license, a valid state identification card, a valid passport or valid military identification.
Both parties must provide their Social Security numbers.
If either party has been previously married, the party must provide the date his or her last marriage ended.
Couples are required by law to read the Family Law Handbook supplied by the clerk and sign a statement acknowledging that they have done so before applying for the license

What is the fee for a marriage license?

The fee is $86.00, but it can be reduced by $25.00 if you provide proof that you took a premarital preparation course (this applies to Florida residents only).

How can I pay for my marriage license?

We accept the following forms of payment:

Cash, money order or cashier's check (payable to the Duval County Clerk of Courts)
MasterCard, VISA, Discover or American Express (with a 3.5% surcharge added)

The Clerk’s Office does not accept personal checks.

Is there a waiting period for a marriage license?

Yes, for Florida residents. Marriage license applications are issued the same day as requested as long as all requirements are met. But there is a 3-day waiting period to be married for couples who live in Florida but do not provide proof that they have completed a premarital preparation course.

A couple claiming hardship can petition a judge to waive the three-day waiting period.

There is no waiting period for non-residents.

When do I take the premarital preparation course?

You can take it any time within one year prior to applying for a license.

Who is qualified to be a provider of a premarital preparation course?

A psychologist licensed under Chapter 490, Florida Statutes
A clinical social worker licensed under Chapter 491, Florida Statutes
A marriage and family therapist licensed under Chapter 491, Florida Statutes
A mental-health counselor licensed under Chapter 491, Florida Statutes
An official representative of a religious institution that is recognized under Florida Statute 496.404(20), if the representative has relevant training
Any other provider designated by a judicial circuit, including but not limited to school counselors who are certified to offer such courses

You can find a provider by using our online premarital course provider search.

Are blood tests and physical exams required?

No.

Do I need to apply for a marriage license in the county where I live or in the county where the ceremony is going to be held?

Actually, it doesn’t matter. You can get a marriage license in any Florida county.

Can I use the Florida marriage license to be married in another state or country?

No. The ceremony must be performed within the state of Florida in order to be recorded and valid.

Where can I apply for a marriage license in Duval County?

We will be happy to help you Monday through Friday, except holidays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the following Clerk's Offices:

Duval County Courthouse, 501 West Adams Street, Room 2403, in downtown Jacksonville
1543 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach

How long is a marriage license application valid once it is issued?

It’s valid for 60 days.

Who may perform the ceremony?

The following officials are authorized by Florida law to perform marriage ceremonies:

Ordained clergy
Elders in communion with a church
All Florida judges
Notaries public of the State of Florida

The law also provides that ceremonies may be performed among Quakers or "Friends" in the manner and form used or practiced in their societies.

Can a marriage be solemnized without a license?

No. Section 741.08, Florida Statutes, states that the party solemnizing the marriage must have a properly issued license before performing the ceremony.

Who should return the license to the clerk, and when should they do it?

A marriage cannot be officially recorded until the license is returned to the Clerk’s Office. It should be returned within 10 days of the wedding, and the party that performed the marriage is responsible for returning the completed license.

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