Clearwater city marriage license records are public files kept by the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court. The clerk’s office at 315 Court Street in downtown Clearwater issues new licenses, files signed licenses after the wedding, and stores the official paperwork.
Anyone can look up old records by name, by date, or by license number. Clearwater is the county seat of Pinellas County, so the main office sits right in the city. This page explains where to go, what to bring, how to search old records, and how to order certified copies in 2026.
How Clearwater Marriage License Records Work
Florida law puts marriage license duties on the clerk of the circuit court in each county. The Pinellas County Clerk runs this work for every city in the county, including Clearwater, Dunedin, Largo, Safety Harbor, and St. Petersburg. There is no separate city office. Couples apply at the courthouse, and the clerk files the signed license after the ceremony. The clerk then sends a copy to the state.
Where to Get a Clearwater Marriage License
The main office sits at the Pinellas County Courthouse, 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756. Office hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for court holidays. The office closes for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on some days. Call (727) 464-3341 before you go to confirm hours. The clerk also runs branch offices in St. Petersburg and other parts of Pinellas County, but the Clearwater courthouse has the most staff for marriage license work.
Who Handles the Records
The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court issues the license, files the signed license, and stores the original record. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, which sits inside the Florida Department of Health, holds the statewide index from June 1927 to the present. The clerk sends each new filing to the state for the permanent record. Both agencies can provide certified copies for legal use.
Types of Records Available
There are two main documents. The marriage license is the permit that lets a couple marry. The marriage certificate is the proof that the wedding happened, signed by the officiant and the witnesses. Florida also keeps a marriage index that lists names, dates, and license numbers. Clearwater marriage license records cover all three types. The clerk’s office keeps records on paper and in a digital system you can search online.
Clearwater Marriage License Requirements
Both people must show up in person at the Clearwater clerk’s office. You cannot apply by mail or online for a new license. The clerk needs to see your face, check your ID, and watch you sign the paper. Plan for a 30 to 45 minute visit. The whole process is set by Florida law, so the rules are the same across the state.
Documents You Need
Each person needs a valid photo ID. A driver’s license, state ID card, passport, or military ID all work. You also need your Social Security number, but you do not need the physical card. The clerk will type it into the form. If you were married before, bring the exact date the last marriage ended. The clerk will ask if the last marriage ended by divorce, death, or annulment. A birth certificate helps if your photo ID does not show your full legal name.
- Photo ID for each person
- Social Security number for each person
- Date the last marriage ended, if any
- Cash, check, or credit card for the fee
- Premarital course certificate, if you took the course
Age and Eligibility Rules
Both people must be 18 or older to marry without parental consent. Florida Statute 741.04 sets the age rules. A 17-year-old can apply with a parent’s written consent, but the other person cannot be more than two years older. There is no blood test. Florida dropped that rule in 1986. You do not need to live in Florida. Tourists and out-of-state visitors can apply at the Clearwater clerk’s office just like locals.
Fees and Costs
The standard fee is $86. Florida law sets this price for the whole state. If both people finish a four-hour premarital course from an approved provider, the fee drops to $61. That saves $25. The clerk accepts cash, check, money order, and credit cards at the Clearwater office. Part of the fee goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Part goes to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. These are required state allocations.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard license fee | $86 |
| License with premarital course | $61 |
| Certified copy of marriage certificate | $10 plus processing |
| Rush certified copy | Extra fee applies |
| Apostille for international use | $10 per copy |
How to Search Marriage Records in Clearwater
Old marriage records stay on file at the Pinellas County Clerk’s office. You can look them up in person, online, or by mail. The clerk’s online portal has records from 1972 forward in most cases. Older records may only exist on paper or microfilm. The Florida Department of Health keeps the statewide index for genealogy and legal use.
In Person at the Pinellas Clerk
Go to the Records Department on the second floor of the Pinellas County Courthouse at 315 Court Street in Clearwater. Bring a photo ID. Tell the clerk the full names of both people, the year of the marriage, and the license number if you have it. The clerk will pull the file and let you see it. You can pay for copies on the spot. The office charges a small fee for each page.
Online Records Search
The Pinellas County Clerk runs an online records search through its website. You can search by name, by date range, or by document type. Pick “Marriage Records” from the menu. Type the last name of one or both people. The system shows the names, the date, the license number, and a scanned image of the license. You can print the image for your own use, but you need a certified copy for legal matters.
Statewide Florida Records Search
The Florida Department of Health runs a statewide marriage index on its website. You can search by name across all 67 counties from June 1927 to the present. The statewide index shows names, dates, and the county where the license was filed. This tool helps if you do not know which county the couple married in. The MyFloridaCounty portal also covers official records from every Florida county clerk.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics Records
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics is the state office that keeps all marriage records from June 1927 forward. The bureau sits inside the Florida Department of Health in Jacksonville. The bureau issues certified copies of marriage certificates for the whole state. You can order by mail, online, or by phone through VitalChek.
Records Available from 1927 Forward
The bureau keeps a complete index of Florida marriages from June 6, 1927 to the present day. Records before that date are not on file with the state. For older records, you must check with the county clerk where the marriage took place or use a genealogy database. Each record shows the full names of both spouses, the date of the marriage, the county, and the license number.
How to Order Certified Copies
You can order a certified copy of a Florida marriage certificate online through VitalChek, by mail with a paper form, or in person at the bureau’s office in Jacksonville. The fee is $10 for each certified copy. Each copy has a raised seal and the signature of the State Registrar. Banks, courts, and government agencies require certified copies for name changes, immigration, and other legal work.
Processing Times and Costs
Standard mail orders take 5 to 7 business days after the bureau gets your form. Online orders through VitalChek process faster for an extra fee. Rush service is available for time-sensitive requests. The bureau accepts checks, money orders, and credit cards. Florida law limits who can order a certified copy. You, your spouse, your children, your parents, or a legal representative can order the record.
Marriage Records by County in Florida
Each Florida county has its own clerk that files marriage licenses. The records stay with that county, even though the state index tracks every license. If you know the county, the county clerk is the fastest place to look. The state index helps when the county is unknown.
Pinellas County Records
Pinellas County marriage records cover Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Largo, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, and all other cities in the county. The Pinellas County Clerk’s website has records from 1972 forward online. Older records sit in the clerk’s physical archive. The office at 315 Court Street in Clearwater is the main place to request certified copies of Pinellas County records.
Other Major Counties
Florida has 67 counties. The largest counties handle the most marriage license work. Orange County runs marriage records for Orlando. Miami-Dade County covers Miami and the surrounding cities. Hillsborough County handles Tampa. Broward County covers Fort Lauderdale. Palm Beach County covers West Palm Beach. Duval County covers Jacksonville. Lee County covers Fort Myers. Each county clerk runs its own search system and keeps its own files.
Why County Level Matters
The county clerk files the original signed license. The clerk’s office has the most complete file, with the application form, the signed license, and any corrections. The state index only shows basic facts. For legal work, the county clerk or the state bureau issues certified copies. For genealogy or personal use, the county online search is the fastest free option.
Using Records for Genealogy Research
Marriage records help family researchers trace ancestors, confirm relationships, and build family trees. Florida marriage records from 1927 forward show full names, ages, birth states, and parents’ names. These facts link generations. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics and FamilySearch.org both host searchable indexes for Florida marriages.
Historical Records Access
Older Florida marriage records from 1927 to 1970 are thinner on details. Early records often only show names and dates. The Florida State Archives in Tallahassee holds some older records on microfilm. Local churches keep their own marriage records for ceremonies held before the county clerk’s office became standard. These church records can fill in gaps for genealogy projects.
Online Genealogy Tools
FamilySearch.org has a free Florida marriage index that covers most of the state from 1927 forward. Ancestry.com and MyHeritage.com also have Florida marriage collections, but those sites charge a fee. The Pinellas County Clerk’s online portal is free to search. Florida memory project at the state library also has scanned records for some counties.
Common Questions About Clearwater Records
People often have questions about privacy, access, and corrections when they look up Clearwater marriage license records. Florida law treats marriage records as public records, so most people can search them. There are limits on who can order certified copies, and there is a process for fixing errors on a record.
Public vs Private Records
Marriage license applications and signed licenses are public records in Florida. You can search them by name, view the scanned image, and print copies for personal use. Certified copies with the state seal cost money and require proof of relationship. Bank records, medical records, and sealed court records stay private, but marriage records do not.
Record Corrections
If the name, date, or other fact on your marriage record is wrong, you can ask for a correction. The Pinellas County Clerk handles corrections for licenses filed in Pinellas County. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics handles corrections for statewide certified copies. You will need proof of the correct fact, such as a birth certificate or court order.
Apostille Services
An apostille is a stamp that proves a Florida document is real for use in another country. The Florida Department of State issues apostilles. You can send a certified copy of a Florida marriage certificate to the state office and get an apostille attached. The fee is $10 per document. This is common for immigration, dual citizenship, and overseas marriage work.
Contact and Office Details
The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court runs the marriage license and records office in Clearwater. Here are the key facts to know before you visit or call.
- Office: Pinellas County Courthouse, 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756
- Phone: (727) 464-3341
- Website: www.pinellasclerk.org
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Records Department: Second floor of the courthouse
- State Office: Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
- State Phone: (904) 359-6900
- Online Orders: VitalChek.com
Frequently Asked Questions
This section covers the questions people ask most about Clearwater marriage license records. Each answer gives you the key facts you need to take the next step, whether you want to apply for a new license, search an old record, or order a certified copy. The answers focus on the most current rules as of 2026.
How Do I Find an Old Clearwater Marriage Record?
You can search for an old Clearwater marriage record three ways. First, go to the Pinellas County Clerk’s online portal and search by name. Second, visit the Records Department on the second floor of the Pinellas County Courthouse at 315 Court Street in Clearwater. Third, search the statewide Florida marriage index on the Florida Department of Health website. Records from 1972 forward usually show up online. Older records sit in the clerk’s physical archive. Bring a photo ID if you visit in person. You can see the scanned license for free, but certified copies cost $10 each.
Can I Get Married in Clearwater on a Tourist Visa?
Yes. Florida does not check your immigration status when you apply for a marriage license. You can be on a tourist visa, a student visa, or any other legal status. Both people must show up in person with a valid photo ID and a Social Security number, if you have one. The clerk will not ask about your visa. After the wedding, you can use the certified marriage certificate for immigration paperwork with the federal government.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Certified Copy?
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics takes 5 to 7 business days for mail orders. Online orders through VitalChek process the same day for an extra fee. The Pinellas County Clerk’s office can give you a certified copy on the spot if you go in person. Rush service is available from the state for an extra cost. Plan ahead if you have a deadline, such as a passport application or a court date.
What Is the Difference Between a License and a Certificate?
A marriage license is the permit you get before the wedding. It lets the couple marry. A marriage certificate is the proof you get after the wedding. The officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk. The clerk files it and makes it a permanent record. You need the certificate for legal name changes, insurance, and government paperwork. The license itself is not useful after the wedding is filed.
Are Clearwater Marriage Records Public?
Yes. Florida law treats marriage license applications and signed licenses as public records. You can search them by name, view the scanned image, and print copies for personal use. Anyone can do this. The only records that stay private are certified copies with personal details that require proof of relationship to obtain. Search access is open to the public, but only certain people can order certified copies.
Can I Apply for a Marriage License Online?
No. Florida law requires both people to show up in person at the clerk’s office. You cannot apply by mail, online, or by phone for a new license. The clerk needs to see your face, check your photo ID, and watch you sign the paper. You can fill out parts of the application online through the Pinellas County Clerk’s website before your visit, but you must still come in person to finish the process and pay the fee.
What Happens If the Officiant Loses the License?
The officiant must return the signed license to the Pinellas County Clerk within 10 days of the wedding. If the officiant loses the license, the couple should contact the clerk’s office right away. The couple and the officiant can sign a new license and file it with the clerk. The wedding date still counts as the date on the lost license. A lost license can delay the official record, so couples should follow up with the officiant and the clerk to make sure the paperwork gets filed.