Marriage Information

To obtain a marriage license both parties need to come in person to the Clerk's Office, bring their valid photo identification, provide their social security numbers (or valid passport), and pay the marriage license fee. In addition, if either party has previously been married, they must supply the date and reason that the marriage ended. Each person applying for a marriage license must also read the "Family Law Handbook". This is required by law.

Applicants are required to provide one of the following IDs, and that ID must include his/her date of birth:

1. A Florida identification card or driver’s license issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
2. A passport issued by the Department of State of the United States.
3. A passport issued by a foreign government if the document is stamped by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.
4. A driver’s license or an identification card issued by a public agency authorized to issue driver’s licenses in a state other than Florida, a territory of the United States, or Canada or Mexico.
5. An identification card issued by any branch of the armed forces of the United States.
6. A sworn, written statement from a sworn law enforcement officer as to the date of birth of an applicant and that the identification documents for an inmate in an institution of confinement were confiscated upon confinement and that the person named in the document is the person whose signature is to be notarized.
7. An identification card issued by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.

The total cost for a license (including county and state fees) is $86.00. However, couples who have attended an approved premarital preparation class pay only $61.00. The provider has to be on a provider list under Florida Statute 741.0305(5) and the Certificate of Completion for the class must be presented to the Clerk.

Payment in full by cash, cashier’s check, or credit card is required.

Yes.

No. Blood tests for marriages in Florida are not required.

Licenses are issued immediately. The process normally takes no more than 30 minutes. However, unless the couple has attended an approved premarital preparation class there is a three-day waiting period before the license is effective and the marriage can take place. There is no waiting period for out-of-state residents.

To obtain a license without parental consent, both the male and female must be at least 18 years of age (the 18-year minimum age does not apply to individuals who have been married previously, nor to applicants who are parents or expectant parents).

Such an individual may apply for a license at the Clerk's Office. However, with or without parental permission, a marriage license to anyone under age 16 can only be issued upon approval of a county judge.

No. The permission of one parent is sufficient ONLY if that parent has sole legal custody of the minor or if the other parent is deceased.

Florida marriage licenses are valid for 60 days from their date of issue. They must be returned to the Clerk's Office for recording within 10 days after the marriage is performed.

Certified copies are normally received within 10 days after the completed marriage certificate is returned to the Clerk's Office for recording in the county's official records.

One certified copy is provided as part of the marriage license fee. There is no additional cost. Extra certified copies may be obtained for a fee of $3.00 each.

No. There is no citizenship requirement.

No. Licenses are issued without appointments from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Yes. Deputy Clerks can perform a civil marriage ceremony. There is a charge of $30 for that service. Call (850) 342-0218 ext. 234 to make an advance appointment.

No.

Talk to your clergyman, chaplain, or other religious adviser or personal counselor.

You must be sure the divorce is final, and you will need to know the date the judgment was signed. The application does require you to say when and how your last marriage ended (divorce, annulment, or death).

Yes, proper photo identification such as a driver's license, Florida I.D. card, or passport is required.

Florida law prohibits a person from marrying anyone to whom they are related by lineal consanguinity. The nearest degree of relationships who may legally marry in the state of Florida is first cousins.

Yes, any person is permitted to obtain a marriage license.

Marriage Licenses are issued at the Clerk’s office located at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Circle, Monticello, Florida (32344).

No. You can only use a Florida Marriage License in the State of Florida.

Per Florida Statute 741.07, all regularly ordained ministers of the gospel or elders in communion with some church, or other ordained clergy, whether in this state or not, are authorized to perform marriages. However, active or retired judicial officers, circuit court clerks, or notaries from other states are not authorized to do so in Florida.