Marriage License FAQs

• Marriage licenses:
  • Are issued the same day as requested, as long as all requirements are met.
  • Are valid for 60 days
  • Must be used in the State of Florida
• Florida Residents: There is a 3-day waiting period to be married (F.S. 741.04).
  • If one person is a Florida Resident and the other is not, the 3-day waiting period is still enforced.
• Not a Florida Resident: There is no waiting period if neither applicant is a Florida resident.

1. Complete an eMarriage Application. Once you complete the online application, the next step is to come to the Clerk’s Office.
2. Read the Family Law & Healthy Marriage Handbook. By law, before applying for the marriage license, both partners must read and sign a statement acknowledging that they have read the Handbook, which is available in English(PDF, 253KB) and Spanish.(PDF, 330KB) A copy is also available at the Clerk’s Office.
3. Pay for the license at the Clerk’s Office. Both individuals whose names are to appear on the marriage license application must appear in person at the Clerk’s Office to pay for the license and complete the application process. You must bring all required legal documents with you.

The Clerk and Comptroller’s Office has two locations where you can complete the application process for a marriage license.

Sarasota Office
Historic Courthouse
2000 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34237

Venice Office
South County Courthouse
4004 S. Tamiami Trail
Venice, FL 34293

• Age 18 or older
• With parental or guardian written consent and additional documentation, age 17
  • The older party to the marriage cannot be more than 2 years older than the younger party to the marriage, and a written and signed affidavit must be filed in compliance with FL Statute 741.04.

The State of Florida does not permit minors under the age of 17 to be issued a marriage license.

*Save $25.00 when FL residents present a 4-hour marriage prep course certificate from a registered provider

 Payment Methods: cash, credit card, check, or money order to pay the license fee

The 3-day waiting period for Florida residents begins after the date the couple appears together, in person, to the Clerk and Comptroller’s Office to sign the application and pay for the marriage license.

The 3-day waiting period may be waived if both applicants attend a pre-marital course!

• Both applicants must be Florida residents.
• The premarital course must be completed; the course must not have been taken more than 1 year prior to applying for a marriage license.
• You must take the course from a registered premarital course provider.(PDF, 417KB)
• You must provide a printed copy of the course certificate of completion to the Clerk’s Office.

In addition to a completed eMarriage License Application, you are required to bring the following documents with you to complete the application process:

One of the following photo IDs, and it must include the date of birth:

• Florida identification card – OR – FL HSVM driver's license
• A driver's license or identification card issued by an authorized public agency in a state other than Florida, a territory of the United States, Canada, or Mexico
• Passport issued by the U.S. Department of State of the United States
• Passport issued by a foreign government, stamped by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service
• Military identification card issued by any branch of the armed forces of the United States
• United States Immigration and Naturalization Service identification card

And you must also know:

• Social Security Number or Alien Registration Number – You only need to know the numbers; the physical card is not required.

If You Have Children 

• If the couple has children born in Florida together, they must fill out the Affirmation of Children Born in Florida form(PDF, 150KB).

If You Have Been Married Before 

• If either party has been married previously, they must provide the date the last marriage ended, either by death, annulment, or divorce (copies are not needed, just know the date).

If neither applicant is a U.S. resident, the 3-day waiting period and the premarital course are not required.

When the Certificate of Marriage is properly completed by the official and returned to the Sarasota County Clerk's office for official recording:

• The marriage license must be returned within 10 days of the wedding.
• The wedding Officiant is responsible for returning the license. If the officiant is unable to return the license, the married couple or another trusted individual may return it.
• Review information for the Wedding Officiant

No, you may use it throughout the State of Florida. A Florida marriage license cannot be used to marry in another state or country.  

Yes. Your marriage must take place in the State of Florida on or before the 60-day expiration date. After 60 days, the license is no longer valid, and you must apply for a new marriage license.

Box 19: Expiration Date = Last Day You Can Marry

Your wedding ceremony must be held in Florida on or after the effective date (box 18a) of your license. It is effective for 60 days. Learn more about how to use your marriage license.

Box 18a: Marriage License Effective Date = First Day You Can Marry

The following persons are authorized to perform a marriage ceremony in Florida (F.S. 741.07):

• All judicial officers, including retired judicial officers
• Clerks of the Circuit Court
• Notary Public (out-of-state notary cannot officiate a wedding)
• Ordained ministers and clergy or elders in communion with some church
• Society of Friends or Quakers

Important! Family or friends cannot officiate a wedding ceremony unless they are not members of one of the groups above and authorized by Florida Law.

A copy of a marriage license can be obtained from our Marriage Records. If you cannot locate the official record of your executed (completed) marriage license, please call our office for assistance: (941) 861-7400.

Amending—making a correction to—a marriage license requires the following:

• A signed and notarized affidavit(PDF, 110KB) from each party
• Legal proof of the change requested
• Copies of both parties' identification
• $7.00 fee

Contact the Clerk and Comptroller's office to begin the process of amending your license.