Miramar City marriage license records are public files held by the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The city of Miramar sits in southwest Broward County, along the Miami-Dade County border, with about 143,000 residents.
Florida does not run city-level marriage license offices, so every Miramar record goes through the Broward County Clerk. This page covers how to search these records, what each file contains, and how to order certified copies. You will see the current rules for getting a new marriage license in Miramar as well.
Where Miramar Marriage Records Are Kept
All marriage licenses for Miramar residents are filed with the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The clerk serves as the legal custodian of these records under Florida Statute 741.01. The clerk stores the original licenses, builds searchable indexes, and provides copies to the public. After a marriage ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk. The clerk records the marriage and forwards a copy to the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Broward County Clerk of Courts Role
The Broward County Clerk of Courts runs the Marriage License Division. This division handles new applications, records signed licenses, and processes requests for copies. The clerk also runs a public online search tool that covers licenses filed in Broward County. The tool works for any Miramar marriage license filed through the clerk since the records were first digitized.
Florida Department of Health Role
The Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics holds a statewide index of all marriages performed in Florida. This index covers every county, including Broward. The state index helps when you do not know which county filed the original license. The state office also issues certified copies for a higher fee than the county clerk.
What Marriage License Records Show
A marriage license record in Miramar or Broward County contains the legal facts of the marriage. The record serves as proof the marriage took place and lists the people involved. Public users can see the basic facts at no cost. Certified copies add the clerk’s raised seal for legal use.
Basic Facts on a Record
Each record shows the full legal names of both spouses. It shows the date the license was issued. It shows the date the marriage ceremony took place. It shows the county where the license was filed. It shows the name of the officiant who performed the wedding. It shows the official record number the clerk assigned to the file.
What a Certified Copy Includes
A certified copy carries the clerk’s signature, the official seal, and a stamp marking it as a true copy of the original. Banks, courts, and government agencies ask for certified copies. Regular photocopies are not accepted for legal name changes, immigration papers, or insurance claims.
How to Search Miramar Marriage Records Online
You can search for Miramar marriage records online through the Broward County Clerk website. The search tool is free and works for any license filed in Broward County. Records appear in the index after the signed license is returned and recorded by the clerk.
Broward Clerk Online Search Tool
The Broward Clerk license search lets you look up records by name. You enter the last name of one spouse. The results show matching names, the marriage date, and the license number. Click a result to see the full record details. The tool is open 24 hours a day at browardclerk.org.
MyFloridaCounty Official Records Portal
The MyFloridaCounty official records portal covers records from many Florida counties. You can use it to search for Miramar marriage records if the license was filed in another county. The portal charges a small fee to view or print full documents. The portal works well for cross-county record checks.
Florida Department of Health Statewide Search
The state Department of Health runs a statewide marriage index search for a fee. The index covers all 67 Florida counties from 1927 to the present. You can order a certified copy of a marriage certificate through the state office. This option fits users who need a Florida-issued certificate but do not know the county of filing.
How to Order a Certified Copy
You can order a certified copy of a Miramar marriage record by mail, online, or in person. The clerk charges a fee for each certified copy. You must show proof of identity for in-person orders. Mail orders need a signed request form and a copy of your photo ID.
In-Person Orders at Broward Clerk Offices
Visit any Broward County Clerk office to order a certified copy. The main office sits at 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Room 02460, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The fee is $3 for each certified copy. Cash and credit cards are accepted. You walk out with the copy the same day.
Mail Orders
Send a written request to the Broward County Clerk of Courts Marriage Division. Include the full names of both spouses, the year of the marriage, the county, and your relationship to the people on the record. Include a check or money order for $3 per copy. Include a copy of your photo ID. Mail the request to the Fort Lauderdale address listed above.
Online Orders Through the Clerk
The Broward Clerk website has an online ordering tool. You pay the $3 fee per copy plus a small card processing fee. The tool emails you when the copy is ready. You can pick it up in person or have it mailed to you. Mail delivery adds a postage fee based on the shipping method you select.
Who Can Get a Miramar Marriage Record
Florida marriage records are public. Anyone can search the index and see the basic facts. The rules are stricter for certified copies. The clerk issues certified copies only to people with a legal or personal interest in the record.
Eligible Requesters for Certified Copies
The clerk issues certified copies to the people named on the record. The clerk issues copies to immediate family members with proof of relationship. The clerk issues copies to legal representatives with proper court paperwork. The clerk issues copies to government agencies for official use. A notarized statement is needed when someone other than a spouse is requesting the record.
Public Facts Anyone Can See
Basic facts like names, date of marriage, and license number are open to everyone. The online search tool shows these facts without proof of identity. This setup helps people doing family research, background checks, or marriage verification.
Cost and Fees for Miramar Records
Searching the public index is free. Fees apply only when you order a certified copy or print a document. The fees are set by Florida law and by the Broward County Clerk’s office. Fees may change, so check the clerk’s site before ordering.
Fee Table for Records
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Online index search | Free |
| Certified copy (each) | $3.00 |
| Duplicate marriage license | $30.00 |
| Statewide marriage index search | $5.00 (plus copy fees) |
| Credit card processing fee | Varies by location |
How to Apply for a New Marriage License in Miramar
Couples who want to get married and live in Miramar apply through the Broward County Clerk. Both people must appear in person. No appointment is needed at any of the four Broward Clerk offices. The process takes about 30 to 45 minutes from check-in to license hand-out.
Documents You Need
Both applicants must bring a valid photo ID. Accepted IDs include a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Bring your Social Security number. The physical card is not required. If you were married before, know the exact date the prior marriage ended. Know the county and state where the divorce or death happened.
Age and Eligibility Rules
Florida law requires both people to be at least 18 years old. A 17-year-old can apply with notarized consent from both parents or a guardian. The other person must be no more than two years older than the 17-year-old. There is no residency rule for Florida marriage licenses. Anyone can apply in any Florida county regardless of where they live.
License Cost and Discounts
The standard license fee is $86. Couples who take a four-hour premarital course from an approved provider pay $61 instead. The course also removes the three-day waiting period. The discount comes from Florida Statute 741.0305. Approved providers are listed on the Broward Clerk website.
Waiting Period Rules
Florida residents face a three-day wait between the application date and the date the license becomes valid. The wait does not apply to non-Florida residents. The wait also does not apply when both people complete an approved premarital course. After the license becomes valid, the couple has 60 days to hold the ceremony. After 60 days, the license expires and a new application is required.
Broward Clerk Offices Near Miramar
Miramar does not have a Broward Clerk branch inside the city limits. The closest offices are in Plantation and Hollywood. Both are short drives from most parts of Miramar. All four Broward Clerk offices process marriage licenses and record copy requests.
Office Locations and Details
| Office | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| West Regional | 100 N. Pine Island Road, Room 180, Plantation, FL | Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-3:30 PM |
| South Regional | 3550 Hollywood Blvd., Room 160, Hollywood, FL | Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-3:30 PM |
| Main Office | 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Room 02460, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 | Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-3:30 PM |
| North Regional | 1600 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Room 160, Deerfield Beach, FL | Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-3:30 PM |
Processing Times for Records Requests
Processing times depend on how you order the record. In-person orders are same-day. Online orders are ready within a few business days. Mail orders take 7 to 14 business days. State Department of Health orders can take 4 to 6 weeks by mail.
Same-Day Service
Walk into the Fort Lauderdale main office before 3:00 PM and you leave with your certified copy the same day. The Plantation and Hollywood offices also offer same-day service. Bring a photo ID and the details you have about the record. The clerk pulls the file while you wait.
Mail Service
Mail orders take longer because of post office delivery times. The clerk processes requests within 3 to 5 business days of receiving them. Add another 3 to 5 business days for return mail. Use a traceable mail service for important requests to avoid lost letters.
Miramar Marriage Records for Genealogy Research
Genealogy researchers often need old marriage records from Miramar and Broward County. The Broward Clerk has records going back to the county’s founding in 1915. Older records may not appear in the online index. Researchers may need to visit the clerk’s office in person or hire a local researcher to pull the files.
Getting Older Records
Records from 1915 through the 1970s are on microfilm at the Fort Lauderdale main office. Bring a photo ID and ask for the marriage records section. Staff will help you set up a microfilm reader. Copies of microfilm records cost $1 per page.
Cross-Referencing with State Archives
The Florida State Archives in Tallahassee holds older state-level records. Researchers can request a search for marriages that happened in Florida before 1927. The archives charge a search fee based on the time spent looking. The archives also keep church and civil marriage records from early Florida history.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
People searching for Miramar marriage records often run into the same problems. Knowing these issues ahead of time saves time and money. The tips below come from common questions the clerk’s office handles each week.
Name Spelling Differences
Old records may spell names differently than modern records. Try searching by the first name and a year range instead of the exact spelling. The clerk’s office accepts variations in spelling when looking up records. Some names were shortened or anglicized over time.
Wrong County for the Search
Some Miramar residents got their license in Miami-Dade County because the city borders it. Always check the county of filing first. Use the statewide Florida Department of Health index if you do not know the county. A wrong county means an empty search result.
Missing the 60-Day Window
Couples who wait too long after getting a license see it expire. The license is good for 60 days from the date it becomes valid. After that, the couple must apply again and pay the fee again. Plan the ceremony date before applying to avoid losing the fee.
Legal Uses of Miramar Marriage Records
Certified marriage records are needed for many legal processes. They prove a name change, a marital status, or a family relationship. Banks, courts, and government agencies ask for them. The list below covers the most common legal uses.
Name Changes
The Social Security Administration requires a certified marriage record to change a last name. Bring the record to the SSA office along with a completed application. The same record works for driver’s license name changes at the Florida DMV. Most name change processes need a record issued within the last 12 months.
Insurance and Benefits
Health insurance companies ask for a marriage record to add a spouse to a plan. Life insurance companies ask for a record when a spouse is the beneficiary. The record proves the legal relationship at the time of enrollment. Pension plans and employer benefits also accept the record as proof of marriage.
Immigration Cases
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services asks for a certified marriage record for spouse-based green card applications. The record must be a recent certified copy with the clerk’s seal. USCIS does not accept photocopies or notarized copies. The record proves the marriage is real for immigration purposes.
Contact and Location Details
The Broward County Clerk of Courts Marriage Division is the right office to contact for Miramar marriage license records. The main office handles all mail requests and most walk-in orders. The staff can answer questions about fees, processing times, and eligibility.
Broward County Clerk of Courts
Marriage Division
540 SE 3rd Avenue, Room 02460
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: 954-831-7283
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Official Website: browardclerk.org
Frequently Asked Questions
People looking for Miramar marriage records often ask the same questions. The answers below cover the most common ones based on current Broward County Clerk rules and Florida law. Each answer gives you the facts you need to take the next step without extra calls or visits. The answers also reflect the latest 2026 procedures from the clerk’s office.
Can I look up Miramar marriage records for free?
Yes. The Broward County Clerk online search tool is free. You can search the public index by name and see basic facts like names, dates, and license numbers. The fee only applies when you need a certified copy or a printed document. Free searches work well for genealogy research, background checks, or confirming a marriage took place. The state Department of Health also offers a free index search, but charges for full record copies.
How long does it take to get a certified copy?
In-person orders at any Broward Clerk office are same-day service. Walk in before 3:00 PM and you leave with the copy. Mail orders take 7 to 14 business days from the time the clerk receives the request. Online orders through the clerk are ready in 3 to 5 business days, with mail delivery adding a few more days. State Department of Health orders take 4 to 6 weeks by mail.
Do I need to know the exact marriage date?
No. The Broward Clerk search tool works with partial details. You can search by last name and a year range. The tool returns all matching records in that range. Knowing the exact date narrows the results faster. A wider search covers name changes or spelling differences. A range of two to three years works best when the date is unknown.
What if the marriage happened outside Broward County?
Use the Florida Department of Health statewide marriage index search. The index covers all 67 Florida counties. You can order a certified copy through the state office if the marriage was filed in another Florida county. Out-of-state marriages need to be requested from the state where the license was filed. The Broward Clerk only handles records filed in Broward County.
Are online records the same as certified copies?
No. Online search results show basic facts but are not legal documents. Banks, courts, and government agencies do not accept printed search results. A certified copy carries the clerk’s seal and signature. A certified copy proves the record is a true copy of the original filed with the clerk. Always order a certified copy for legal use.
Can a family member request my marriage record?
Immediate family members can request certified copies with proof of relationship. Acceptable proof includes a birth certificate, a death certificate, or a court order. The clerk may ask for a notarized statement from the person on the record when the requester is not a spouse. Each clerk office has its own form for this purpose. The form is available on the clerk’s website.
What is the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate?
A marriage license is the legal document that allows a couple to get married. A marriage certificate is the recorded proof the marriage took place. The clerk issues the license before the ceremony. The clerk records the certificate after the signed license is returned. Most agencies ask for the certificate as proof of marriage, not the license itself.