Daytona Beach city marriage license records are the official papers that prove a couple got married in Volusia County, Florida. The Volusia County Clerk of Courts keeps these records.
Daytona Beach sits inside Volusia County on the east coast of Florida. The city has about 86,015 people. Couples who live in Daytona Beach or visit for a beach wedding must apply at the county clerk office. This page explains where to go, what to bring, how much it costs, and how to find old records online or by mail.
Volusia County Clerk of Courts Role
The Volusia County Clerk of Courts handles every marriage license in the county. Daytona Beach falls under Volusia County, so the same office serves the city. Florida Statute 741.01 gives this duty to each county clerk. The clerk issues new licenses, records signed licenses after the ceremony, and stores copies forever. The clerk also gives certified copies to people who need proof of marriage.
Main Office Location and Contact
The main clerk office sits in DeLand, which is the county seat. DeLand is about 25 miles west of Daytona Beach. The drive takes 30 to 40 minutes with normal traffic. Couples must visit in person to apply.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 N. Alabama Avenue, DeLand, FL 32724 |
| Phone | (386) 736-5915 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Website | www.volusiaclerk.org |
Branch Offices Near Daytona Beach
Volusia County runs branch offices in other cities. Some branches accept marriage license applications. Call the main office before driving to a branch. The clerk may send you to DeLand for the license anyway. Branches handle other court records but not always marriage paperwork.
Marriage License Application Steps
Both people in the couple must show up at the clerk office together. One person cannot apply alone. The clerk checks IDs, takes payment, and writes the license on the spot. The whole visit takes about 30 to 60 minutes.
Required Documents for Applicants
Bring valid photo ID for each person. A driver’s license works best. Passports, state IDs, and military IDs count too. Know each person’s Social Security number. The card itself is not needed, just the number. If either person was married before, know the exact date the prior marriage ended. Divorce, death, or annulment each count as an end date.
- Driver’s license, passport, state ID, or military ID for each person
- Social Security number for each person
- Date the prior marriage ended, if applicable
- Cash, check, money order, or card for the fee
- Premarital course certificate, if taking the discount
Age Requirements and Parental Consent
Florida law says both people must be at least 18 years old. A 17-year-old can apply with parental consent. The other person must be no more than two years older. Florida dropped the blood test rule in 1986. No blood test runs today. There is no residency rule. Tourists from other states can apply in Volusia County just like Florida residents.
Waiting Period Rules in Florida
Florida residents wait three days after the license issues. The clerk gives the license the same day you apply, but the license is not valid yet. The three days start the day after the clerk issues it. Out-of-state visitors skip the wait. The wait also ends if both people finish a four-hour premarital course. The three-day rule applies to the ceremony, not the application day.
Marriage License Fees and Discounts
The clerk sets fees under Florida law. The base fee is the same in every Florida county. Couples save money by taking a short course before they apply.
Standard Fee Without Course
The standard marriage license fee in Daytona Beach costs $86.00. The clerk takes payment at the time of application. Part of the fee goes to the state Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Another part pays for the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. The clerk accepts cash, check, money order, and most debit or credit cards.
Premarital Course Discount
Couples who finish a four-hour premarital course pay $61.00. That is a $25.00 saving. Both people must finish the course. Each person gets a certificate after passing. Bring both certificates to the clerk. The course also drops the three-day wait. Many approved courses run online. Daytona Beach residents can take the course from home before going to the clerk office.
Payment Methods Accepted
The Volusia County Clerk accepts several payment types. Cash works at every office. Personal checks need a valid photo ID. Money orders come from any post office or bank. Credit and debit cards carry a small service fee. Confirm the fee amount by phone before paying.
License Validity and Ceremony Rules
A marriage license in Florida stays valid for 60 days from the issue date. The clock starts after the three-day wait ends for residents. Couples must hold the ceremony before the 60 days run out.
60-Day Validity Period
The license expires 60 days after the clerk issues it. The couple must marry before the expiration date. If 60 days pass without a ceremony, the license dies. The couple must apply again and pay a new fee. There is no grace period. Plan the ceremony date before applying to avoid losing money.
Who Can Officiate in Florida
Florida Statute 741.07 lists who can perform a wedding. Many people can serve as the officiant. The wedding works anywhere in Florida once the license is active.
- Licensed or ordained ministers, clergy, and religious leaders
- All judicial officers, including circuit and county judges
- Clerks of the circuit court and their deputies
- Notary publics with a current Florida commission
After the Wedding Filing
The officiant signs the license after the ceremony. The officiant returns the signed license to the Volusia County Clerk within 10 days. The clerk records the marriage in the county books. The clerk sends a copy to the Florida Department of Health in Jacksonville. The state office keeps the record forever. Certified copies come from either the county clerk or the state office.
Search Online Records
Old marriage records sit in two main places online. The Florida Department of Health runs one search portal. The Volusia County Clerk runs a separate local search. Both tools look up marriage licenses and certificates.
Florida DOH Records Portal
The Florida Department of Health keeps state marriage records from June 6, 1927 to today. The state office in Jacksonville stores the master copies. Use the Florida DOH website to search by name. The search shows the year of marriage and the county. Certified copies cost a fee and arrive by mail.
Volusia County Online Search
The Volusia County Clerk website lets users search local records. The search covers marriage licenses recorded in Volusia County. Use the official records search tool on the clerk site. Look up by last name, first name, or license number. The clerk site shows official records from all county departments.
MyFloridaCounty Official Records
MyFloridaCounty connects to official records across all 67 Florida counties. The portal searches marriage licenses by name. The search covers recorded documents, not pending applications. Use this tool to check license status after the ceremony. The portal also shows mortgages, deeds, and court records.
Order Certified Copies
Couples and researchers often need certified copies of marriage certificates. A certified copy carries the state seal or county seal. Banks, insurance companies, and government agencies ask for certified copies. Order from three main sources.
Florida Department of Health
The Florida DOH in Jacksonville handles statewide requests. The office keeps records from June 6, 1927 forward. Order online, by mail, or in person. The standard fee is $5.00 for the search plus $4.00 for each certified copy. Add a $10.00 fee for the optional commemorative certificate. Mail orders take 3 to 5 business days. The Florida DOH address is 1217 N. Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202.
Volusia County Clerk Copies
The Volusia County Clerk gives certified copies of marriage licenses recorded in the county. Visit the DeLand office in person. Call (386) 736-5915 before driving. The clerk charges a small fee per copy. Same-day service is common for in-person requests.
VitalChek Expedited Service
VitalChek is the official expedited service partner for the Florida DOH. Use VitalChek for rush orders. The service costs more but ships faster. Online orders process 24 hours a day. Phone orders run during business hours. VitalChek ships by mail or overnight courier.
Florida Counties Comparison
Marriage license rules stay the same across Florida, but each county runs its own office. The base fee of $86 applies statewide. The discount of $61 with a premarital course also applies statewide. Locations and hours differ by county. Couples who live near a county border sometimes cross over to apply. Use the table below to compare fees, wait times, and office details for nearby counties.
| County | Main Office City | Clerk Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Broward County | Fort Lauderdale | (954) 831-4000 |
| Miami-Dade County | Miami | (305) 275-1155 |
| Orange County | Orlando | (407) 836-2000 |
| Hillsborough County | Tampa | (813) 276-8100 |
| Duval County | Jacksonville | (904) 255-2000 |
| Palm Beach County | West Palm Beach | (561) 355-2996 |
Broward County Records
Broward County Clerk of Courts runs the marriage license office in Fort Lauderdale. The county serves cities like Hollywood, Pompano Beach, and Coral Springs. The fee and rules match Daytona Beach. Broward has a downtown office and branch offices in the west and north parts of the county.
Miami-Dade County Records
Miami-Dade County Clerk handles marriage licenses for the largest county in Florida. The main office sits in downtown Miami. The clerk runs branches in Coral Gables, Hialeah, and North Miami. Couples in Miami-Dade follow the same $86 fee and three-day wait as Daytona Beach couples.
Orange County Records
Orange County Clerk of Courts serves Orlando, Winter Park, and Apopka. The main office is in downtown Orlando. Orange County processes many licenses for theme park weddings and destination couples. The fees and rules match Volusia County.
Hillsborough County Records
Hillsborough County Clerk covers Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace. The marriage license office sits in the county center in Tampa. Hillsborough County charges the same $86 fee. Couples can apply in person or use the online pre-application tool.
Duval County Records
Duval County Clerk runs marriage licenses in Jacksonville. The Duval clerk office shares a building with the Florida Department of Health on North Pearl Street. Duval County follows the same statewide rules and fees.
Palm Beach County Records
Palm Beach County Clerk serves West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and Delray Beach. The main clerk office sits in West Palm Beach. Palm Beach County offers an online pre-application to save time at the counter.
Genealogy and Historical Records
People who research family history often need old marriage records. Florida marriage records help build family trees. Records exist at the county level and the state level. Older records may sit in local archives or libraries.
Records From 1927 Onward
The Florida Department of Health keeps state records from June 6, 1927. Marriage records before that date sit with the county clerk where the marriage happened. Some counties have older books in their archives. Researchers can visit the county or send a written request.
Local Archives and Libraries
The Volusia County Public Library in Daytona Beach has genealogy collections. The Halifax Historical Museum in Daytona Beach keeps old marriage announcements and family files. The Daytona Beach News-Journal archives hold marriage notices from past decades. Researchers can search newspaper archives online through the library website.
Common Application Mistakes
Couples often make small mistakes that slow down the application. The clerk may turn away applicants who lack the right papers. Avoid these common errors before driving to the clerk office.
Missed Documents
Forgetting the prior marriage end date is the top mistake. The clerk needs this date for every prior marriage. Bring the divorce decree, death certificate, or annulment papers. The clerk makes copies and returns the originals. Missing papers force a second trip.
ID Expiration Issues
Expired IDs cause problems at the counter. Check both IDs before leaving home. Renew an expired license before applying. Passports must be current. Military IDs do not expire but must stay valid. Out-of-state IDs work as long as the photo and date stay clear.
Waiting for the Wrong Day
Couples sometimes try to marry on day two of the wait. The wait ends on day three. Florida residents who apply on Monday can marry on Thursday at the earliest. Out-of-state residents and course graduates skip the wait. Confirm the date before booking the venue.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common concerns about Daytona Beach city marriage license records. Each answer gives clear steps and current fee details. Couples, researchers, and legal professionals use these answers to plan their next move. The FAQ covers application rules, online searches, certified copies, and special cases like name changes.
How long does the three-day wait last for Florida residents?
The three-day wait starts the day after the clerk issues the license. If the clerk writes the license on Monday, the wait runs Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The license becomes valid at midnight on Friday. Couples can hold the ceremony any time on Friday or later. Out-of-state visitors skip the wait. Couples who complete a four-hour premarital course also skip the wait. The wait rule sits in Florida Statute 741.041.
Can someone else apply for the marriage license on my behalf?
No. Both applicants must show up at the clerk office at the same time. Florida law does not allow proxy applications. A parent, friend, or wedding planner cannot stand in for either person. The clerk checks each ID face to face. Plan a time when both people can travel to DeLand together.
How do I check the status of a marriage license after the wedding?
Use the MyFloridaCounty official records portal to search by name. The search shows recorded documents, including marriage licenses. The Volusia County Clerk website also has a local search tool. The officiant must return the signed license within 10 days of the ceremony. After the clerk records it, the search shows the marriage in the database.
What is the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate?
A marriage license is the application the couple files before the wedding. A marriage certificate is the recorded proof after the ceremony. The clerk writes the license, the couple marries, and the officiant returns the signed license. The clerk then records the marriage and sends the data to the state. The state issues the marriage certificate as proof for legal use.
Can I get a marriage license if I am not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. Florida does not require U.S. citizenship for a marriage license. Bring a valid passport from your home country. Tourists and visa holders can apply. The clerk only checks ID and age. Same-sex marriages are legal in Florida and follow the same rules as opposite-sex marriages.
Where do I get a commemorative marriage certificate in Florida?
The Florida Department of Health sells commemorative certificates. The decorative certificate works for display or framing. Order through the Florida DOH website. Add the certificate to a standard certified copy order. The commemorative version costs an extra $10.00 on top of the regular fees.
Can I marry the same day I apply in Daytona Beach?
Yes, if you are not a Florida resident or you finished the premarital course. Out-of-state visitors skip the three-day wait. Course graduates also skip the wait. Same-day weddings are common for beach ceremonies. Florida residents without a course must wait three calendar days before the ceremony.