Hialeah City Marriage License Records cover all marriage paperwork for people who live in Hialeah, Florida. Hialeah sits inside Miami-Dade County.
The city has no marriage license office of its own. The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts handles every marriage license for Hialeah residents. This page explains how to apply, what to bring, how much it costs, how long the license lasts, and how to get copies of marriage records.
Why Hialeah Uses Miami-Dade County Records
Hialeah is the second largest city in Miami-Dade County. More than 235,000 people live there. The city has its own police department, fire department, and city hall. Marriage licenses fall under county control. Florida law gives this job to the clerk of the circuit court in each county. Miami-Dade County has one clerk who handles all marriage paperwork for cities inside the county. Hialeah couples follow the same rules as couples in Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, and other cities in the area.
The Clerk’s Role Under Florida Law
Florida Statute 741.01 names the clerk of the circuit court as the only officer who can issue a marriage license. No city office, no private business, and no online service can issue a valid license. The clerk records the application, collects the fee, issues the license, and stores the signed copy after the wedding. The clerk also sends copies of completed records to the Florida Department of Health. This statewide office keeps a master index of every marriage that happens in Florida.
Other Cities in Miami-Dade County
Couples in Miami Gardens, Doral, Homestead, Hialeah Gardens, North Miami, and Kendall all use the same clerk office. A license issued in Miami-Dade works for a wedding held anywhere in Florida. The county where the wedding happens does not need to match the county where the license came from.
Miami-Dade Clerk Office Locations
The Miami-Dade Clerk runs several service locations. The main office sits in downtown Miami. Branch offices serve the north, south, and beach areas. Hialeah residents can use any branch. Some branches sit closer to Hialeah than the main office.
Main Office Address and Hours
The main Miami-Dade Clerk office is at 73 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130. The phone number is (305) 275-1155. The office opens at 8:00 a.m. on weekdays. It closes at 4:30 p.m. The office handles marriage license applications, vital record copies, and court records. Walk-ins are welcome. Couples do not need an appointment to apply for a marriage license.
Branch Locations Near Hialeah
Miami-Dade County runs branch offices in Aventura, Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Hialeah, Miami Beach, Miami Lakes, North Miami, and South Miami. The Hialeah Gardens branch sits about 10 minutes from most parts of Hialeah. Branch hours and services can differ from the main office. Call ahead or check the clerk website before visiting. Some branches only handle passport services and not marriage licenses.
| Location | Address | Marriage License Service |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Miami | 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130 | Yes |
| Hialeah Gardens | 11117 NW 87th Court, Hialeah Gardens, FL 33018 | Yes |
| Miami Lakes | 14750 NW 77th Court, Miami Lakes, FL 33016 | Yes |
| North Miami | 700 NE 124th Street, North Miami, FL 33161 | Yes |
| Cutler Bay | 10710 SW 211th Street, Cutler Bay, FL 33189 | Limited |
Office Phone and Website
The clerk’s main phone line is (305) 275-1155. The official website is miamidadeclerk.gov. The website lists hours, fees, forms, and branch maps. Many forms can be downloaded before the visit. This saves time at the counter.
How to Apply for a Marriage License in Hialeah
Couples must apply in person at a Miami-Dade Clerk office. Both people must show up at the same time. One person cannot apply alone. The clerk needs to see both applicants, check their IDs, and confirm they understand the process. The visit usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. Lines can be longer during lunch hours and on Fridays.
Documents Needed to Apply
Couples should bring valid photo ID for both people. A driver license, state ID, or passport works. Both applicants must give their Social Security number. The physical Social Security card is not required. If either person was married before, they need to know the exact date the marriage ended. They also need to know how it ended: divorce, death, or annulment. They need to know the state and county where the previous marriage ended. This helps the clerk confirm that the person can legally marry again.
- Valid photo ID for each person
- Social Security number for each person
- Date and location of any past marriage end
- Cash, check, or money order for the fee
- Premarital course certificate (if completed)
Age and Eligibility Rules
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Florida Statute 741.04 sets this rule. Anyone under 18 needs a parent’s written consent and a judge’s approval. The clerk will turn away applicants who cannot show they are legally free to marry. The clerk checks for bigamy, recent divorce timing issues, and other legal blocks.
Reading the Family Law Handbook
Florida law requires every couple to read the Family Law Handbook. The Florida Bar publishes this book. It explains rights, duties, and laws about marriage, divorce, and family. The clerk will ask if the couple has read it. The handbook is free. It comes in English, Spanish, and Creole. Couples can read it at the office or online before they go.
Marriage License Fees in Hialeah
The standard fee for a marriage license in Miami-Dade County is $86. This fee is set by Florida law and applies across the state. Couples who finish a four-hour premarital course pay a lower fee of $61. The clerk needs the original course certificate to give the lower fee. A copy or photo of the certificate is not accepted.
Where the Fee Goes
Part of the $86 fee goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Part goes to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. The Florida legislature sets these splits. The clerk office keeps part of the fee to cover its own costs. Couples who take the premarital course save $25 because the law lowers the share that funds domestic violence programs.
Payment Methods
The clerk office accepts cash, money orders, and most major debit or credit cards. Some locations prefer cash or money order only. Call the office ahead of time to confirm. Personal checks are rarely accepted. Bring a backup payment method in case the first one fails.
Premarital Course Providers
Florida approves a list of premarital course providers. The course takes four hours. It covers communication, conflict resolution, and financial skills. Couples can take the course online or in person. The certificate must list both names and confirm the course was four hours long. Approved providers include licensed clergy, registered marriage counselors, and online services approved by the state.
Florida Waiting Period and License Rules
Florida residents must wait three days after applying before the license becomes valid. The clerk marks the license with an issue date. The license cannot be used for a wedding until three full days pass. Florida Statute 741.04 sets this rule for every county in the state.
How to Skip the Waiting Period
Couples can skip the three-day wait by completing the four-hour premarital course. Both people must take the course. Both must bring the original certificate when they apply. The license is valid the same day the clerk issues it. This saves time for couples with tight wedding schedules.
Out-of-State Couples
Couples who do not live in Florida do not face the three-day wait. They can use the license right away. This applies no matter where they live in the United States or abroad. The clerk still needs both people to apply in person. They still need to bring ID and pay the fee.
License Expiration
A Florida marriage license is valid for 60 days from the issue date. The clerk writes the expiration date on the license. If no wedding takes place in that window, the license expires. The couple must apply again and pay the fee again. There is no refund for an unused license.
Who Can Perform the Wedding
Florida Statute 741.07 lists who can perform a wedding ceremony. Ordained ministers, rabbis, priests, and other religious leaders qualify. Judges, retired judges, circuit court clerks, and notaries public also qualify. The wedding does not need to happen in a church or courthouse. Couples can marry on a beach, in a backyard, or anywhere in Florida.
What Happens After the Ceremony
After the wedding, the person who performed the ceremony signs the marriage license. They fill in the date, time, and location of the ceremony. They sign the license and print their name and title. The signed license must return to the clerk office within 10 days. Most officiants handle this step.
Returning the Signed License
The officiant, a friend, or the couple can return the signed license. It can go to any Miami-Dade Clerk location. It can also be mailed to the main office. The clerk records the document and creates an official marriage record. The clerk sends a copy to the Florida Department of Health in Jacksonville.
Getting a Certified Copy
Certified copies of the marriage certificate cost about $3 each. The clerk office issues them after the license is recorded. The Florida Department of Health also issues certified copies. Both sources send the same legal document. Banks, insurance companies, and government agencies all accept certified copies from either source. The document lists both names, the date of marriage, the county where the license was issued, and the file number.
Processing Time for Certified Copies
Certified copies from the clerk office take about 1 to 2 weeks after the signed license arrives. Certified copies from the Florida Department of Health take about 2 to 4 weeks. Couples who need a copy fast can visit the clerk office in person. Some offices can print a copy the same day if the record is already in the system.
Apostille for International Use
Couples who need their Florida marriage certificate for use in another country often need an apostille. An apostille is a seal that proves the document is real for countries in the Hague Convention. The Florida Department of State issues apostilles. The fee is $10 per document. The process takes about 2 to 3 weeks. Some private services can speed this up for an extra fee.
Searching Old Marriage Records
Florida marriage records from 1900 to the present are public. Older records may be limited. The Florida Department of Health keeps a statewide index of marriages. Each county clerk keeps the original records for that county. Researchers, family historians, and lawyers can search these records.
How to Search by Name
The Florida Department of Health has a marriage index search on its website. People can search by full name, year range, and county. The index shows the file number, the names of both spouses, and the date of marriage. To get a certified copy, the searcher must order one through the Department of Health or the original county clerk.
How to Search by County
Each county clerk office holds its own marriage records. Orange County, Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Hillsborough County, Duval County, Palm Beach County, Pinellas County, Lee County, Polk County, Brevard County, and Seminole County all run their own records. Most county clerks have online search tools. Some only offer in-person searches for older records.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Bureau of Vital Statistics sits inside the Florida Department of Health. It keeps a statewide database of births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. The Bureau handles mail and online requests for certified copies. It also handles corrections and amendments to existing records. The Bureau cannot issue a new license. Only county clerks can do that.
Genealogy and Family History Research
Researchers who want older marriage records can use the Florida State Archives. The Archives hold marriage records from the early 1900s and before. Many older records are on microfilm. The Archives allow in-person research and mail requests. Some records have been digitized and posted online.
Common Reasons to Request Marriage Records
Couples request certified copies of their marriage certificate for many reasons. Banks ask for a copy when one spouse wants to add their name to a joint account. Insurance companies ask for a copy when one spouse joins the other’s health plan. The Social Security Administration asks for a copy when someone wants to change their name. Immigration offices ask for a copy for spouse visa applications.
Name Changes After Marriage
A marriage certificate does not change a person’s name by itself. The person must take the certificate to the Social Security Administration to update their Social Security card. Then they take the new card to the driver license office to update their driver license. Banks, employers, and other agencies ask for proof at each step.
Verifying a Marriage
Employers, lenders, and government agencies sometimes need to confirm a marriage. They ask for a certified copy. The certified copy has a raised seal or stamp that proves it came from a real government office. Photocopies and regular printouts do not count as certified copies.
What to Do If Records Are Lost
If a marriage certificate is lost or damaged, the couple can order a new certified copy. The Florida Department of Health and the county clerk both keep copies. The clerk office is usually faster for recent marriages. The Department of Health works better for older marriages or for people who live outside Florida.
Ordering by Mail
People can order certified copies by mail. The request must include both full names, the date of marriage, the county where the license was issued, a signed application, and a check or money order for the fee. The application is on the Department of Health website. Mail orders take about 2 to 4 weeks.
Ordering Online
People can order certified copies online through the Department of Health website or through approved third-party services. Online orders cost a bit more because of the service fee. The processing time is similar to mail orders. Some third-party services can speed up the process for urgent requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many people have questions about Hialeah City Marriage License Records. This section answers the most common ones. Each answer gives clear, factual answers based on Florida law and Miami-Dade County rules. If a question does not appear here, call the clerk office or check the official website for the latest details.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Marriage License?
The application visit takes 30 to 60 minutes. The license is ready at the end of the visit. Florida residents must wait three days before the license is valid. Couples who finish a premarital course can use the license right away. Out-of-state couples can also use it right away. The license is good for 60 days after the issue date.
Can I Apply for a Marriage License Online?
No. Florida law requires both people to apply in person. The clerk must see both IDs and confirm both people are present. Some paperwork can be filled out online before the visit, but the actual application must happen at the counter. Couples can save time by filling out forms ahead of time on the clerk website.
What If One Partner Cannot Attend?
Florida law says both people must apply at the same time. There is no exception for work, travel, or military duty. If one partner cannot attend, the couple must wait until both are free. Some couples use a power of attorney, but Florida does not accept this for marriage licenses. Both people must show up.
Are Marriage Records Public in Florida?
Yes. Florida marriage records from 1900 to the present are public. Anyone can search the index by name and date. Certified copies cost a small fee. Some details, like Social Security numbers, stay private. The public index shows names, dates, and county of marriage.
How Much Does a Certified Copy Cost?
Certified copies from the county clerk cost about $3 each. Certified copies from the Florida Department of Health cost about the same. Online and third-party services charge more. Apostilles cost $10 per document from the Florida Department of State.
Do Same-Sex Couples Follow the Same Rules?
Yes. Florida law treats all couples the same. The application form is the same. The fee is the same. The waiting period is the same. The license works anywhere in Florida. The clerk office does not ask about the gender of either partner.
Can I Get Married the Same Day I Apply?
Only if both people live outside Florida or both have completed a four-hour premarital course. Florida residents who skip the course must wait three days. The clerk writes the issue date on the license. The license is valid three days after that date. Couples who plan a same-day wedding should take the premarital course first.
Official Website: miamidadeclerk.gov
Phone: (305) 275-1155
Main Office: 73 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Florida Department of Health: floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/marriage-certificates/
Florida Court Clerks: flclerks.com