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WHAT IS THE LEGAL AGE FOR MARRIAGE IN
FLORIDA?
You must be at least eighteen (18) years of
age to apply for a marriage license in the State of Florida.
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WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A MARRIAGE
LICENSE?
Both parties of the
intended marriage must come into the
Clerk's Office
. Each party must have a valid photo
identification such as a driver's license, state identification
card, government or military identification card, or a passport.
A social security number is
required to obtain a marriage license. If either party is from a
foreign country and not a U.S. citizen, alien registration
documentation, or other proof which contains an alien
registration number is acceptable to obtain a marriage license.
If either party was previously
married and divorced, the date of the divorce will be required.
If the date of the divorce was within the thirty days prior to
the new application for a marriage license, a certified copy of
the recorded final order will be required.
Effective January 1, 1999, a man and woman who are Florida
residents must file with the Clerk of the Circuit Court a sworn
affidavit, in writing, signed by both parties to the marriage,
providing the social security numbers of each party and reciting
the true and correct ages of each party. Additionally, a written
statement signed by both parties must be provided to the Clerk
which specifies whether the parties, separately or together,
have completed a premarital preparation course and have read or
been made aware of the rights and responsibilities of parties to
a marriage as outlined in the
Family Law Handbook
as specified in
Section 741.0306 Florida Statutes. A valid certificate of
completion for both parties from the Premarital Preparation
Course provider must also be filed with the application for a
marriage license. Exceptions to this requirement apply to
non-Florida residents and individuals asserting hardships.
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WHAT IS A PREMARITAL
PREPARATION COURSE?
A
Premarital Preparation Course, required by Florida Statutes, is
a course provided by a qualified instructor registered with the
Clerk of the Circuit Court consisting of not less than 4 hours.
The course may include instruction regarding conflict
management, communication skills, financial responsibilities,
children and parenting responsibilities on actual case data
compiled from information reported by married couples who seek
counseling. The course may be provided by personal instruction,
videotape instruction, instructions via other electronic medium
or a combination of these methods.
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WHERE CAN I OBTAIN A LIST OF
PREMARITAL PREPARATION COURSES?
Premarital Preparation Course providers must register with the
Clerk of the Circuit Court. Providers must be qualified
instructors such as a licensed psychologist, a licensed clinical
social worker, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed
mental health counselor, an official representative of a
religious institution with relevant training or any provider
designated by the judicial circuit. A roster is available in any
Clerk's Office issuing marriage licenses.
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IS THERE A REQUIRED WAITING
PERIOD?
Florida residents who have
satisfied the Premarital Preparation Course requirements and who
file the required affidavit and certificate of course completion
with the Clerk of the Circuit Court when applying for a marriage
license will be issued a marriage license effective the same
day.
Non-Florida residents and
individuals granted hardship status will not experience a delay
in the effective date of a marriage license.
Florida
residents who do not or cannot submit valid certificates of
completion of a Premarital Preparation Course will be issued a
license which has a delayed effective date of three days.
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ARE THERE BENEFITS TO
COMPLETING A PREMARITAL PREPARATION COURSE?
Florida residents who
complete a Premarital Preparation Course will benefit from a
reduction of $32.50 (See
Schedule of Service Charges, Marriage
Licenses ) in the marriage license fee. The course
must have been taken no more than one year prior to the date of
the application for a marriage license.
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ARE BLOOD TESTS REQUIRED FOR A MARRIAGE LICENSE?
No, blood tests are not a requirement for a marriage license.
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HOW LONG IS THE MARRIAGE LICENSE VALID?
The marriage must be solemnized within sixty (60) days of
issuance of the marriage license. The ceremony can be performed
anywhere in the State of Florida.
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DO I APPLY FOR A MARRIAGE
LICENSE IN THE COUNTY IN WHICH I LIVE?
A
marriage license may be applied for in any county in the State
of Florida.
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WHAT IS THE COST OF A MARRIAGE
LICENSE?
Fees for marriage
licenses are set by Florida Statutes and are subject to change
as a result of legislative action. A current
"Schedule of Service Charges"
is available in any Clerk's Office for
your information, as well as online.
Fees for a marriage license for
Florida residents are reduced if the parties have completed and
provided proof of completion of a Premarital Preparation Course.
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CAN I PAY FOR MY MARRIAGE
LICENSE WITH A PERSONAL CHECK?
In Pinellas County, personal
checks are accepted for a marriage license.
Checks should be made payable to:
KARLEEN F. De BLAKER
Clerk of the Circuit Court
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WHERE CAN I APPLY FOR A MARRIAGE LICENSE?
A
marriage license may be obtained Monday through Friday, 8:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at any one of the following offices of the
Clerk of the Circuit Court.
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