|
In This Section
Frequently Asked Questions
The Marriage License
Officiating Fees
Venues in Brevard County
Private Wedding Package
Beach Weddings
Notary Public
Emergency Kit
|
|
Great
news!
Most
couples aren't aware that once they present the marriage license to their
officiant prior to their ceremony, they're done with the bureaucracy. Your officiant is responsible for
returning it to the appropriate county Clerk of Courts office.
I submit all licenses
within the first few business days
following the wedding, usually the first business day. If possible I return the license
to the county clerk of courts office in person, but if not, I
mail the license via certified mail and provide you with the tracking number so
you can trace its route on-line at http://www.usps.com.
I provide the clerk of courts with a stamped-addressed envelope for them to
return your certified license to you. In most cases, it may very well be waiting
for you when you return from your honeymoon.
If a valid
marriage license is not presented prior to the ceremony, I cannot perform a legally valid marriage ceremony. In the absence of a valid
marriage license, the couple may sign a waiver stating their understanding that
any ceremony performed without the presence of the license will be symbolic and
will not result in the clients' legal status as husband and wife. If desired,
once a valid marriage license is obtained and/or presented, I can schedule a local short, pre-written, civil ceremony at a later date/time at an
additional nominal charge of $50. (Pssst, I've never had to do this.)
A bit more information
There are only three things
required for a marriage to be recognized legally by the state.
It is my belief that humans, as social beings, experience a higher degree of
meaning when transitions of life are ritualized. Which is why many of us choose
wedding ceremonies, regardless of scope and size, rather than simply appearing
before a clerk of the court. But this is indeed an office that cannot be
ignored. If you wish your marriage to be recognized legally you need to obtain a
marriage license. Fortunately, it really isn't all that difficult and the men
and women at the Brevard Clerk of Courts office are courteous, professional an
expedient.
If you are residents, simply go to any one of the Clerk of Courts offices in the
county, bring photo ID and any appropriate divorce decrees. That's it. No blood
tests and no witnesses. Your marriage license will be issued on the spot. For
some reason Florida residents incur a three day waiting period while out of
stat e couples do not. However, a hard ship waiver can be issued. For example, if
the bride or groom is in the military and will be deployed within the three day
waiting period, a waiver will be granted.
When to apply
A marriage license
in Florida is valid for sixty days. This time frame is generous and rarely
results in difficulty. The office staff issues them on the spot and even out of
state couples relying on the mail can usually schedule their license acquisition
with ease. I recommend applying for the license in person approximately two to
three weeks before the wedding. This allows for any unexpected computer
glitches. Out of state residents should begin the process two months before the
wedding because paperwork will be sent back and forth a couple of times. I have
only experienced one "nail biter" marriage license experience and even that one
worked out well in the end. Despite the bad reputation of "red tape," you'll be
fine!
What
do I need to do to get a Florida marriage license?
Marriage licenses can be obtained at a county Clerks of Court. The list of
Florida counties is on the web at http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/fgils/coclerks.html.
I have included direct links to the Brevard County Clerks of Court site below
since that is where I reside and where I have experience officiating weddings .
Although Florida
Statutes 741.04, requires persons applying for a marriage license to provide
identification and
their Social Security numbers, be prepared with photo
identification. If either person has been married previously, he
or she needs to have the date when the divorce was final or proof of the divorce
if it was granted recently. Florida does not require a blood test.
As of January 1, 1999 Florida residents wishing to be married must do one of the
following:
-
complete a 4-hour premarital course given by a provider registered with
the Clerk of Circuit Court (Florida license fee $61.00), or
-
have a 3-day waiting period apply to your license after submitting
application to marry with the Clerk of Circuit Court (Florida license fee
$93.50).
For more information, please refer to Florida
Statutes 741.0305.
Florida
Statutes 741, the current and complete legal code concerning marriage in the
state, contains detailed but verbally dense information on marriage licenses, including fees and
procedures. The following websites have much more user-friendly
information.
Out of
State?
Non-residents may
obtain a Florida
marriage license by mail.
|
|
The Marriage License