In order to be married in the eyes of the law, you need to get a marriage license. For this post we will focus on getting a marriage license in Florida. This post in written in a pre-covid world - so make sure you check online or with the county courthouse to see if there are any new procedures.
Marriage licenses are issued by individual counties. You will need to go to the local court house to apply for a marriage license.
This information is taken right from the state of Florida website:
You can get married in any county in Florida, regardless of where you obtained your marriage license. To obtain a marriage license you need:
Identification: a picture ID such as a driver's license, state ID card, or valid passport; both parties will also have to provide their Social Security numbers, but do not need to provide their Social Security Cards.
Fees: $93.50. Marriage license fees can be reduced by up to $32.50 if you complete a licensed Florida pre-marital course.
Marriage license is valid for 60 days after issuance. You must perform the ceremony of marriage before this 60 days has expired. Blood Tests are not required. There is a 3-day waiting period after issuance of the license before you can get married, unless you have completed the Florida pre-marital course, in which case the waiting period is waived. Additionally if you are not a Florida resident the waiting period is waived as well.
On the wedding day, you need to make sure to bring your marriage license with - at some point during the day usually after the ceremony the officiant will need to sign the license as well as two witnesses of your choosing. Sometimes its both mothers or fathers or the Best Man and Maid of Honor - totally up to you as a couple. From there, it gets placed in a safe spot then either your officiant or you will mail the license in as per instructions.
If you hire a day of planner like us, then we will get the marriage license from you the morning of the wedding then remind you when it is time to sign. Then take it when you have finished signing and then I can place it in a designated space or I can mail it for you. Totally takes the worry off of you having to remember to sign the paperwork and take care of it! That is why you should hire a Palm Beach Day of Wedding Planner.
