Florida Marriage License: Cost, Rules & Who Can Officiate

A Florida marriage license is required before any wedding ceremony in the state, and most couples only think about it a few weeks before their date.

The process is simple, but a few rules trip people up: a 3-day waiting period for residents, a fee that changes if you take a short online course, and specific rules about who’s legally allowed to perform the ceremony.

Below is what actually matters like cost, timing, where to apply, and exactly who can officiate, so you can check this off the list early and get back to the parts of planning that are actually fun.

Quick answer: a standard Florida marriage license runs about $86 to $93.50 depending on the county, Florida residents face a 3-day wait unless they take a short premarital course, and the ceremony itself can legally be performed by an ordained minister (online ordination included), a judge, a court clerk, or a notary public.

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Cost · Waiting Period · Where to Apply · How Long It’s Valid · Who Can Officiate · Online-Ordained Ministers · Do You Need Witnesses? · FAQ

How Much Does a Florida Marriage License Cost?

A standard Florida marriage license costs around $86 in most counties, though each county clerk sets its own exact fee — Lake County, for example, charges $93.50.

Florida residents who complete a state-recognized premarital preparation course get a discount, dropping the fee to $61 in most counties.

That same course also waives the 3-day waiting period below, so it’s worth doing even if the discount alone doesn’t move the needle for you.

Non-residents pay the standard fee and don’t need the course, since the waiting period never applied to them in the first place.

One detail most couples never hear: under Florida Statute 741.01, $25 of every marriage license fee is a statutory surcharge that goes straight to the state’s Domestic Violence Trust Fund, which funds domestic violence centers statewide.

It’s a small, built-in detail of getting married in Florida that most engaged couples never think to ask about.

The 3-Day Waiting Period (and How to Skip It)

Florida law gives residents a 3-day waiting period between applying for a license and it becoming valid.

Non-residents skip this entirely — the license is valid the moment it’s issued, no waiting required.

For residents who don’t want to wait, completing at least 4 hours of premarital counseling with a state-registered provider waives the 3-day period and unlocks the $61 discounted fee at the same time.

Either way, this is the single most common planning mistake: applying too close to the wedding date and getting caught by a waiting period nobody budgeted for.

Where and How to Apply for Your License

Both people apply together, in person, at any county Clerk of Court in Florida, it doesn’t have to be the county where the wedding is happening.

Bring a valid photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport, or I-94 card), and if you have a Social Security number, expect to provide it on the form.

If either of you was previously married, you’ll need the date your last marriage ended, divorce date or spouse’s date of death.

If you’re planning to marry at Sterling Event Venue, our Lake County Clerk of Court is a straightforward option, with three office locations to choose from.

How Long Is a Florida Marriage License Valid?

A Florida marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date it’s issued.

If your ceremony falls outside that window, the license expires and you’ll need to reapply — including paying the fee again.

This is exactly why a license “as early as possible” isn’t the right advice; apply too early and it can expire before the wedding, especially for a long engagement.

The right window is close enough to the date that 60 days safely covers it, but past any waiting period you’re subject to.

Who Can Legally Officiate a Wedding in Florida?

Florida law is specific about this, and it’s worth checking before you ask someone to do it.

Under Florida Statute 741.07, four categories of people can legally solemnize a marriage in the state: ordained ministers or clergy of any denomination, active or retired judicial officers, clerks of the circuit court, and notaries public commissioned in Florida.

A close friend or family member can only officiate if they fall into one of those categories — simply being asked isn’t enough on its own.

Many couples solve this by having a notary public officiate, since Florida notaries are authorized under the same statute and don’t require any religious ordination.

Can You Use an Online-Ordained Minister in Florida?

Yes.

Florida law doesn’t require officiants to register with any government office, and it recognizes ministers ordained through an online organization the same as any other clergy under Statute 741.07.

That makes online ordination a real option if you want a specific friend or family member to officiate, provided they complete the ordination before your ceremony.

It’s still worth having them bring their ordination certificate or letter of good standing to the ceremony, just in case anyone asks.

Do You Need Witnesses at a Florida Wedding?

No, Florida is one of the states that doesn’t require a witness to sign your marriage license.

The license has space for up to two witness signatures if you’d like to include them, but leaving that space blank doesn’t affect the marriage’s validity.

If you do want witnesses, Florida’s only real requirement is that they’re old enough to understand what they’re witnessing and can understand English, there’s no minimum age or family-relation requirement beyond that.

Most couples still choose one or two anyway, since it’s customary and gives a close friend or family member a small, meaningful role in the ceremony.

Once your license and officiant are sorted, the rest of the legal-logistics side of planning gets a lot lighter — our wedding day checklist picks up from here, and our guide to the best times of year to get married in Florida is worth a read if your date isn’t locked in yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a marriage license cost in Florida?
Around $86 in most counties, or $61 if a Florida resident completes a state-recognized premarital course. Fees vary slightly by county — Lake County, for example, charges $93.50 at the standard rate.

Is there a waiting period before I can get married in Florida?
Florida residents face a 3-day waiting period unless they complete a premarital course, which waives it. Non-residents have no waiting period at all.

Where do I apply for a Florida marriage license?
Both people apply together, in person, at any county Clerk of Court in Florida — not necessarily the county where the wedding will happen.

How long is a Florida marriage license valid?
60 days from the date it’s issued. Apply too early for a long engagement and it can expire before your wedding.

Can a friend or family member officiate our wedding in Florida?
Only if they’re an ordained minister (online ordination counts), a judge, a court clerk, or a notary public — those are the four categories Florida law allows under Statute 741.07.

If you’re still choosing where to say “I do,” Sterling Event Venue is worth a tour before you lock in a date.