Sunrise City marriage license records are official documents that show two people got legally married in Broward County, Florida. These records are kept by the Broward County Clerk of Courts and the Florida Department of Health. Sunrise is a city of about 100,000 people in west-central Broward County. Couples who marry in Sunrise get their license from the county clerk, not from a city office. Anyone can ask for a copy of a marriage record if they have the right details. This page explains how the records work, how to get copies, and where to search for old or new marriage files in Florida.
What Are Sunrise City Marriage License Records
A marriage license record is a legal paper that proves a couple is married. In Florida, the county clerk issues the license, and the officiant files it back after the ceremony. Once filed, the record becomes part of the official public system. Sunrise residents and others can ask for these records from Broward County or the state.
Who Keeps These Records in Florida
Two agencies share the job of keeping marriage records in Florida. The county clerk of courts handles marriage licenses at the local level. For Sunrise, that is the Broward County Clerk of Courts. After the officiant files the signed license, the clerk records it. Then the record goes to the Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. The state office keeps a permanent file of every marriage in Florida since June 6, 1927.
What Details Appear on a Marriage Record
A standard Florida marriage record shows the full legal names of both spouses. It lists their dates of birth, the county where the license was issued, and the date the marriage took place. It also shows the officiant’s name and title. Most records include the license number and the date the clerk recorded the document. Certified copies carry a raised seal and a stamp from the issuing office.
Types of Records You Can Request
There are three main types of marriage records in Florida. The first is the marriage license, which is the permit to get married. The second is the marriage certificate, which proves the marriage already happened. The third is a certified copy, which is a copy that carries legal weight for name changes, insurance, and immigration.
How to Search Sunrise City Marriage Records
People search Sunrise marriage records for many reasons. Some need proof of marriage for legal or financial matters. Others do genealogy research or verify family history. The search process depends on the age of the record and where it was filed.
Online Search Methods That Work
The Broward County Clerk of Courts has an online search tool for marriage records filed in the county. Users can search by name, license number, or date range. The MyFloridaCounty portal links to official records from all 67 Florida counties. For records older than 60 years, the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics offers a statewide search through its online ordering system.
In-Person Requests at the Clerk’s Office
Anyone can walk into a Broward Clerk location and ask for a marriage record. The closest office to Sunrise is the West Regional Courthouse at 100 N. Pine Island Road in Plantation. Walk-in hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Staff at the office help people fill out request forms and accept payment for copies.
Mail and Phone Requests for Records
Requests by mail go to the Broward County Clerk of Courts Records Division. The request must include both spouses’ full names, the year of marriage, and a copy of a valid photo ID. A signed authorization is needed if someone else is picking up the record. Phone requests for record verification go through the clerk’s main line at 954-831-7283.
Searching Records by Name and County
Name-based searches need the full legal name of at least one spouse. A search range by year helps narrow down the results. For records filed outside Broward County, each Florida county has its own clerk system. The Florida Department of Health website lists contact details for every county clerk in the state.
Broward County Clerk of Courts Office Details
The Broward County Clerk of Courts runs four service locations across the county. All four locations can issue marriage licenses and provide certified copies of records. The offices share one computer system, so a record filed at one office shows up at the others.
Office Locations Near Sunrise
The West Regional Courthouse sits closest to Sunrise at 100 N. Pine Island Road in Plantation. The main courthouse is at 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Room 02460, in Fort Lauderdale. The North Regional Courthouse is at 1600 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Room 160, in Deerfield Beach. The South Regional Courthouse is at 3550 Hollywood Blvd., Room 160, in Hollywood.
Hours and Contact Phone Numbers
All four clerk offices open Monday through Friday at 8:00 AM and close at 3:30 PM. The main phone number for the marriage division is 954-831-7283. The clerk’s general line is 954-831-6565. People should arrive by 3:00 PM to allow time for paperwork and processing on walk-in visits.
Fees for Records and Copies
The standard marriage license fee in Broward County is $86. Couples who complete a premarital course pay $61. A certified copy of a marriage record costs $3. A duplicate license costs $30. A courthouse ceremony costs $30 extra. Payments can be cash, credit card, or money order.
Getting a Certified Copy of Your Marriage License
A certified copy of a marriage license is a legal proof of marriage that courts, federal agencies, and banks accept. It carries a raised seal and a signature from the issuing clerk. People order certified copies for name changes, passport applications, Social Security updates, and immigration cases.
Who Can Request a Certified Copy
The two people named on the record can order a certified copy at any time. Other people can order a copy with a signed written authorization from one of the spouses. Attorneys, genealogists, and court officials can also request certified copies with proper legal paperwork showing their right to the record.
Required Documents and Identification
To get a certified copy, the requester must show a valid government photo ID. Acceptable IDs include a driver’s license, passport, state ID, or military ID. The clerk keeps a copy of the ID on file. Mail requests must include a photocopy of the ID with the request form.
Processing Times and Delivery Options
Walk-in requests for certified copies are ready the same day at the clerk’s counter. Mail requests take five to seven business days to process. Rush requests by mail take two to three business days for an extra fee. The clerk mails certified copies through the U.S. Postal Service unless the requester pays for a courier service.
Florida Marriage Records Statewide Database
Florida keeps one statewide database of marriage records at the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. The database covers every county in the state. Records go back to June 6, 1927. This office handles requests for older records, statewide searches, and records needed for legal cases in other states.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics Role
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics is part of the Florida Department of Health. It sits in Jacksonville at 1217 N. Pearl Street. The bureau records all births, deaths, marriages, and divorces that happen in Florida. It sends certified copies of these records to people who order them through the mail or online.
Florida Department of Health Records Office
The Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics keeps marriage records from June 6, 1927 to the present. People can order records through the department’s website at floridahealth.gov. The office accepts online orders, mail orders, and phone orders. Standard processing takes 5 to 10 business days.
Historical Records from 1927 Onward
Marriage records from before 1927 are not at the state office. Those older records are at the county clerk’s office where the marriage took place. Some very old records have been digitized and posted online through FamilySearch and Ancestry. The Florida State Archives also has early marriage files from select counties.
Florida Marriage License Application Process
Couples who want to marry in Florida must apply for a marriage license first. The license is the legal document that allows the ceremony to take place. Florida issues marriage licenses to both residents and non-residents.
Eligibility and Age Requirements
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old to marry without parental consent. A 17-year-old can marry only with written parental consent and only when the other person is not more than two years older. Both applicants must swear they are free to marry under Florida law. No blood test is needed.
Documents You Need to Bring
Both people must appear at the clerk’s office together. Each person needs a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, or state ID card. Both must know their Social Security number. If either person was married before, they need to know the date the last marriage ended and the reason it ended.
Fees, Waiting Period, and Validity
The standard license fee in Broward County is $86. A completed premarital course reduces the fee to $61. Florida residents face a three-day waiting period after the license is issued. The waiting period drops for couples who complete the premarital course. The license stays valid for 60 days after the waiting period ends.
Florida Marriage Records by County
Florida has 67 counties, and each county clerk maintains marriage records for that county. People searching for records need to know which county issued the license. The county-by-county system means a search in Broward County will not show records from Orange County or Miami-Dade County.
Miami-Dade County Marriage Records
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts handles marriage records for Miami-Dade County. The main office is at 73 W. Flagler Street in Miami. The office offers online records search through its website. Records go back to the 1920s at the county level.
Orange County Florida Marriage Records
The Orange County Comptroller’s Office handles marriage records in Orange County. The office sits in Orlando at 109 E. Church Street. People can search records online or visit in person. Orange County marriage records also go back to the 1920s.
Hillsborough County Marriage Records
Hillsborough County marriage records are kept by the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court in Tampa. The main office sits at 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard. Records from 1965 to the present are searchable online. Older records need an in-person or mail request.
Broward, Palm Beach, and Duval Counties
Broward County records are kept at the clerk’s four offices listed above. Palm Beach County records are at the Clerk of Courts in West Palm Beach at 205 N. Dixie Highway. Duval County records are at the Clerk of Courts in Jacksonville at 501 W. Adams Street. Each county has its own online search tool and request process.
Sunrise City Marriage Records Request Form
The Broward County Clerk uses a standard form for marriage record requests. The form asks for the full names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and the license number if known. The form also asks for the requester’s name, address, and reason for the request.
How to Fill Out the Request Form
The first section of the form asks for the names of both spouses at the time of marriage. The second section asks for the approximate date and county of marriage. The third section asks for the requester’s full name, ID number, and mailing address. The form ends with a signature line and a sworn statement that the request is for a legal purpose.
Where to Submit the Completed Form
Completed forms can be turned in at any Broward County Clerk office. Forms can also be mailed to the Broward County Clerk of Courts, Records Division, 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Online requests go through the clerk’s website at browardclerk.org.
Common Mistakes on Request Forms
The most common mistake is a missing or incomplete date. People sometimes forget to include a maiden name or a middle name. Forms without a signature get rejected. Forms with no ID copy attached also get sent back to the requester.
Official Contact and Location Details
The Broward County Clerk of Courts marriage division handles all marriage license records for Sunrise. Below are the official contact details and location for in-person visits.
Broward County Clerk of Courts
West Regional Courthouse (closest to Sunrise)
100 N. Pine Island Road, Plantation, FL 33324
Phone: 954-831-7283
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Official website: https://www.browardclerk.org/Divisions/Marriage
Common Questions About Sunrise Marriage Records
People often ask similar questions about Sunrise marriage license records. The answers below cover the most common concerns from residents, researchers, and people who need certified copies for legal purposes.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Marriage Record Copy?
Walk-in requests at any Broward County Clerk office are ready the same day. Mail requests take 5 to 7 business days to process. Online orders through the clerk’s website take 3 to 5 business days. Rush orders are ready in 2 to 3 business days for an extra fee. Delivery time after processing depends on the mail service.
Can Anyone Search Florida Marriage Records by Name?
Yes. Florida marriage records are public records. Anyone can search by name through the county clerk’s online system or the state vital records office. The search shows the names of both spouses, the marriage date, and the license number. Certified copies still require a valid ID and a fee.
Are Florida Marriage Records Free to Search?
Searches through the county clerk’s online tool are free. The state vital records office charges a fee for record searches and certified copies. Free search results often show basic details but no full document image. Paid copies come with the full record and a raised seal.
What If I Do Not Know the Exact Date of Marriage?
A request without an exact date is still possible. The clerk can search by name and a year range. A wider date range means the search takes longer. Some offices charge an extra fee for searches without a specific date. The state vital records office also handles name-only searches with a year range.
Can I Get a Marriage Record From Another Florida County?
Yes. Each Florida county clerk can issue records from that county. A marriage record from Miami-Dade County must come from the Miami-Dade Clerk’s office. The Florida Department of Health can also issue records from any Florida county through its statewide vital records system.
What Is the Difference Between a License and a Certificate?
A marriage license is the legal permit to get married. A marriage certificate is the proof that the marriage already took place. The license becomes a certificate after the officiant signs it and files it back with the clerk. Most legal and financial paperwork needs the certificate, not the original license.
How Do I Fix an Error on a Florida Marriage Record?
Errors on a marriage record must be fixed through the Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics. The process needs a sworn statement, proof of the correct details, and a small fee. Some errors can be fixed by the county clerk who issued the original license. The state office handles changes to records that are already on file.