How to Find a Florida Marriage License

In Florida after a wedding, the local county Clerk of the Court files/records the marriage and sends the official license to the Bureau of Vital Statistics within two months of the wedding as a permanent public record. The local county clerk maintains all records prior to June 6, 1927 with the Bureau of Vital Statistics storing and distributing all records since. Whether you need a copy (or extra copy) of a marriage license for legal reasons, a scrapbook/photo album or genealogical research, finding the license, if still in existence, only requires contacting and submitting a request to one of these offices.

Things You'll Need

• Vital marriage information
• Identification

Instructions

1. Click on the "Florida Vital Statistics On-Line Forms and Brochures" link in the Resources section to retrieve a printable marriage record application written in English, Spanish or Creole from the "Applications for Marriage and Divorce Records" section of the site if trying to find a license issued since June 6, 1927. Visit 1217 Pearl Street in Jacksonville between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to complete an application in person or, if trying to find one prior to this date, contact/visit the office of the local county Clerk of the Court in the region where the license issuance occurred.

2. Read the application instructions on page two of the PDF and fill out the application on the PDF by typing requested information directly into the fields provided or print and complete with legible handwriting. Information requested includes the full names of the couple, wife's maiden name, date of marriage (day/month/year or year only) and location of marriage license issuance (city or town). In addition, include your full name and contact information (daytime phone number and mailing address).

3. Call the Bureau of Vital Statistics at [phone], extension 9000, or email [e-mail], to confirm the fees associated with your request and if you have questions or need assistance filling out the application.

4. Complete a check or money order payable to the "Bureau of Vital Statistics" for the fees associated with your request.

5. Mail your request, payment and identification (driver's license, passport, state identification card or military identification card) to:

   Bureau of Vital Statistics
   Attn: Customer Services
   Post Office Box 210
   Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have both names of the couple whose information you're requesting--don't worry, the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics accepts applications with only one name.

• If you don't know the date of the marriage, provide a set of years to search and include any additional fees for requesting additional research.

• If you want your request or email address to remain private, don't email your request as Florida law allows the Bureau of Vital Statistics to document email addresses as part of the public record.

• Always confirm any fees (administrative, application or research) before mailing or handing in your application.

• Availability of licenses prior to 1927 relies entirely on the local customs of the region where the marriage occurred, the level of census/marriage reporting and methods of storage during/since. In addition, fire, flood and paper deterioration affect whether a marriage record still exists.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Florida Department of Health

Resources

• Florida Vital Statistics On-Line Forms and Brochures