Marriage License

Policy and Procedure for Obtaining a Marriage License

The Marriage License Application Information Form can be printed, filled out, and submitted, when both applicants appear to apply for a marriage license.

Both applicants must appear together and provide the following information:

1. Proper Identification – one (1) of the following:

• Driver’s License
• State ID Card
• Birth Certificate (Must be in English, if in another language certificate must have a notarized affidavit of translator.
• Passport

2. Social Security Number of both applicants:

• If a citizen, both applicants are required to provide Social Security numbers.
• If either applicant is not a U.S. Citizen, a Social Security number, Alien Registration number, or Passport number is required.

3. Attend a Premarital Preparation Course, review the Family Law Handbook or wait the three (3) day waiting period:

• If both applicants are Florida residents and choose to have the three (3) day waiting period waived they must attend and complete a Premarital Preparation Course that must be completed within one (1) year prior to the date of application. The premarital course provider must be registered with our office before the applicants present the completed certificates at the time the license is issued. To verify the provider is registered with our office, please call 863-773-4174 X7282. Both applicants must obtain and review or otherwise access the information contained in the Family Law Handbook and sign a statement attesting to the fact. The three (3) day waiting period will be waived. The cost of the license will be $61.00.
• Florida residents who have not completed the Premarital Preparation Course and do not provide a completed certificate will have a (3) day waiting period from the date the license is issued. Both applicants must obtain and review the Family Law Handbook or otherwise access the information on the website and sign a statement attesting to the fact. The cost of the license will be $86.00.
• If both applicants are non-residents, the Premarital Preparation Course and the (3) day waiting period is waived. But both applicants must review the Family Law Handbook or otherwise access the information on the website and sign a statement attesting to the fact. The cost of the license will be $86.00
• If one (1) applicant is a Florida resident and one (1) applicant is a non-resident, the Florida resident must meet the course and handbook requirements or the license will be delayed three (3) days from the date the license is issued. The license will be $86.00
• Florida residents asserting a hardship may have the delayed effective date waived by the County Judge for good cause. The license will be $86.00.

4. If the last marriage ended by divorce or death, the month, day, and year of the divorce or spouse’s death should be provided.

5. A county court judge or clerk of the circuit court may not issue a license to marry to any person younger than 18 years of age, unless:

• The person is at least 17 years of age and provides the written consent of his or her parents or legal guardian, which is acknowledged by an officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments and administer oaths
• The older party to the marriage is not more than two (2) years older than the younger party to the marriage.
• If either applicant is 17 years of age, they must provide parental consent from both parents. If either parent has sole custody, you must provide a certified copy of the order awarding sole custody. A death certificate is required for a deceased parent.

6. The license is valid for sixty (60) days after the date of issuance and may be used anywhere in the State of Florida. If the license expires before the ceremony is preformed, a new license and fee will be required.

7. A certified copy of the marriage license will be mailed to the address provided within thirty (30) days from the date the license is received by the Clerk’s office. Any additional certified copies will be $3.00 each.

Effective July 1, 2018, pursuant to Florida Statute 741.04, the legal age for obtaining a marriage has changed. Please review the age information referenced above.

Effective July 1, 2017, pursuant to HB 1-A, Chapter Law 2017-233, reduces the Marriage License Application Fee from $93.50 to $86.00.
Effective June 3, 2010, Florida Statute 741.01 was amended by Senate Bill 694 to allow both parties to the marriage to state under oath in writing if they are the parents of a child born in Florida and to identify the children they have in common. Applicants that have a child or children in common should provide birth certificate(s) for the child(ren) when applying for a marriage license.

The Hardee County Clerk’s Office does not perform wedding ceremonies. Our office will continue to issue marriage licenses pursuant to Florida Statute.