Contact us pages for Florida marriage license records connect you with the right state and county offices that hold these public files. This page lists the phone numbers, addresses, office hours, and websites for the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, and county clerk offices across the state.
You will learn who to call, where to write, and what to expect when you reach out for a certified copy of a Florida marriage certificate, a marriage license verification, or a search by name through official records.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics Contact
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics sits inside the Florida Department of Health. It keeps the statewide index of Florida marriage license records from 1927 to the present. Use the contact details below to reach the state office for statewide searches, certified copies, and corrections.
Main State Office Address
The Bureau of Vital Statistics operates from its Jacksonville headquarters. The office processes mail-in requests for Florida marriage certificates and answers calls during business hours on weekdays.
- Office: Bureau of Vital Statistics, Florida Department of Health
- Street: 1217 N. Pearl Street
- City: Jacksonville, Florida 32202
- Phone: 904-359-6900
- Website: www.floridahealth.gov (search for vital records)
- Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Statewide Phone and Mail Channels
Phone lines open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. The Jacksonville office accepts mailed requests year-round. Use the same address for all written requests to the state level, and include a photocopy of a valid photo ID, a signed application, and the required search fee.
What the State Office Handles
The state office keeps the Florida marriage index and issues certified copies of marriage certificates for the whole state. It does not issue marriage licenses. Couples who want to apply for a new marriage license must go to a county clerk of court office, not the state vital records office.
Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics
The Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics runs the statewide system for birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Marriage records fall under the same unit that handles birth and death records, and the same contact rules apply.
Phone Support and Customer Service
Call the Jacksonville office at 904-359-6900 for questions about the Florida marriage license verification process, the status of a mailed order, or how to fix a mistake on a marriage certificate. Phone support is strongest between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays.
Email and Online Contact Forms
The Florida Department of Health offers an online contact form through its website at www.floridahealth.gov. Use this form for non-urgent questions about Florida marriage records search by name, fees, or processing times. For certified copies, the state office still requires a paper or in-person request.
Request a Certified Copy by Mail
Mail requests for a certified copy of a Florida marriage certificate go to the Jacksonville address. Each request must include the full names of both spouses, the date of marriage, the county where the license was issued, a signed application, a copy of a photo ID, and a check or money order for the search fee.
County Clerk of Court Marriage Records Contact
County clerk offices hold the original marriage license applications and can issue certified copies for events that took place in their county. The county where the marriage license was issued holds the original paper file, even if the couple lives in another Florida county now.
Miami-Dade County Clerk
Miami-Dade County is the most populated county in Florida. The clerk’s office keeps marriage license records from 1925 forward and offers same-day certified copies for in-person requests.
- Office: Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Courts
- Address: 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130
- Phone: 305-275-1155
- Website: www.miamidadeclerk.gov
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Broward County Clerk
Broward County marriage records cover Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and nearby cities. The clerk’s office accepts walk-in orders and online orders for marriage license records.
- Office: Broward County Clerk of Courts
- Address: 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
- Phone: 954-831-6565
- Website: www.browardclerk.org
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Orange County Florida Clerk
Orange County covers Orlando and the central Florida region. The clerk’s office handles marriage license records for couples who applied for a license in Orlando, Winter Park, Apopka, and nearby towns.
- Office: Orange County Clerk of Courts
- Address: 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
- Phone: 407-836-2000
- Website: www.myorangeclerk.com
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Hillsborough County Clerk
Hillsborough County keeps marriage records for Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace. The clerk’s office offers both in-person and online search tools for marriage license records.
- Office: Hillsborough County Clerk of Court
- Address: 419 Pierce Street, Tampa, FL 33602
- Phone: 813-276-8100
- Website: www.hillsclerk.com
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Duval County Clerk
Duval County covers Jacksonville and holds the marriage license records for events licensed in the Jacksonville area. The clerk’s office shares the same city as the state Bureau of Vital Statistics.
- Office: Duval County Clerk of Courts
- Address: 501 W. Adams Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
- Phone: 904-630-2020
- Website: www.duvalclerk.com
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Palm Beach County Clerk
Palm Beach County keeps marriage records for West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and the rest of the county. The clerk’s office runs an online search portal for older records.
- Office: Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller
- Address: 205 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
- Phone: 561-355-2996
- Website: www.mypalmbeachclerk.com
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Pinellas County Clerk
Pinellas County covers St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and the Gulf coast beaches. The clerk’s office keeps marriage license files for all weddings licensed in the county.
- Office: Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court
- Address: 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756
- Phone: 727-464-7000
- Website: www.pinellasclerk.org
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How to Reach the Right Florida Office
Picking the right office saves time. Use the state Bureau of Vital Statistics for statewide searches and certified copies from any county. Use the county clerk of court for the original license file, same-day service, and local in-person orders.
State Office vs. County Clerk
The state office works well for people who live far from the county where the marriage license was issued. The county clerk works best for people who live near the original county and need a faster, in-person service. Both offices can issue a certified copy of a Florida marriage certificate.
Phone Call Best Times
Call early in the morning, between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., for the shortest wait times. Avoid calling on Mondays, the day after a holiday, and the last hour of the business day. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mid-mornings tend to have the shortest phone queues.
Mail vs. In-Person Requests
Mail requests take two to four weeks. In-person requests at a county clerk often finish the same day. Online requests through a county clerk portal may take 24 to 72 hours. Pick the channel that matches your deadline.
Florida Marriage License Search by Name
You can search Florida marriage records by name through several official channels. The search starts with a name and a rough marriage date range, then narrows down to the county where the license was filed.
Statewide Index Search
The state Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps the Florida marriage index from 1927 to the present. The index shows the full names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and the county of issuance. You can request an index search by mail or in person at the Jacksonville office.
County Clerk Online Search
Many Florida county clerks offer a free Florida marriage license public records search on their websites. You can enter a last name and a first name to see marriage records filed in that county. Results often show the book and page number, which helps when ordering a certified copy.
Third-Party Genealogy Databases
FamilySearch, Ancestry, and MyHeritage hold scanned Florida marriage records and indexes. These sites help with genealogy work. For legal use, a certified copy from the state or county office still holds the most weight.
Florida Marriage Certificate Search and Certified Copies
A Florida marriage certificate search produces a record that proves a legal marriage took place. The state and county offices both issue certified copies with a raised seal or stamp, which courts, federal agencies, and foreign embassies accept.
Who Can Request a Certified Copy
Florida law limits who can get a certified copy of a marriage certificate. The list of approved applicants includes the spouses named on the record, their adult children, parents, legal guardians, and anyone with a court order. Each request must include a photo ID and a signed statement of the applicant’s relationship to the record.
Request by Mail Step by Step
Mail requests work the same way at both the state and county levels. Use the steps below to order a certified Florida marriage certificate through the mail.
- Download or write the official application form for a Florida marriage certificate.
- Fill in the full names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and the county of issuance.
- Include a photocopy of a valid photo ID for the person making the request.
- Sign the application and add a daytime phone number.
- Add a check or money order for the search and copy fee, made payable to the proper office.
- Mail the packet to the Jacksonville state office or to the correct county clerk.
- Wait two to four weeks for the state office, or 7 to 14 days for most county clerks.
Fees and Payment Methods
The standard fee at the state Bureau of Vital Statistics is $5.00 for the search plus $4.00 for each certified copy, as of 2026. County clerk fees vary, but most charge between $10.00 and $25.00 for the first certified copy and a smaller amount for each extra copy. Rush service costs more at both levels.
Online Tools and Florida Marriage License Public Records
Florida marriage license public records are open to anyone, but the full file and certified copies still require a paid request. Online tools help you confirm a marriage took place, view the index entry, and order a copy without visiting an office.
FloridaOnlineRecords.com and Similar Portals
The Florida Department of State runs a records portal that links to many county clerk databases. County portals such as Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange, and Hillsborough all offer their own public search tools. Use these portals to confirm a Florida marriage license verification before ordering a certified copy.
Search Limits on Free Tools
Free public search tools show the marriage index but hide sensitive data such as Social Security numbers and signatures. To see the full record, you must order a certified copy through the state or county office. Free tools still help you check whether a marriage file exists before paying for a search.
Mobile Apps and Notification Services
Some Florida counties now offer mobile apps for records search. These apps let you save a name and get a notification when a new record matches. The clerk’s office still handles all certified copy orders through the app.
Florida Marriage License Application Status
Couples who just applied for a marriage license often need to check the status of their pending application. The county clerk that processed the application can confirm the status, the issue date, and the date the license was returned after the ceremony.
How to Check Application Status
Call the county clerk’s marriage license office where you applied. Have your confirmation number, both full names, and the application date ready. Many clerks also let you check status online through the same portal used for public searches.
Common Status Updates
Standard status updates include pending, issued, and returned after ceremony. A pending status means the clerk has not yet issued the license. An issued status means the license is active and ready for the ceremony. A returned status means the officiant filed the signed license after the wedding.
Lost or Delayed Licenses
If a signed license was never returned to the clerk, the marriage record may show only the issue date. Call the clerk’s office to ask the officiant to file the signed license. A delayed return can affect when the record shows up in the Florida marriage index.
How to Find Florida Marriage Records for Genealogy
Genealogy researchers often need older Florida marriage records for family history work. The state index starts in 1927, but county clerks hold older files that go back to the 1800s in some counties.
Older Records and County Archives
Counties such as Duval, Escambia, St. Johns, and Leon keep marriage records that predate the state index. Contact the county clerk or the county historical archive for those older files. Some files require an in-person visit and a small research fee.
FamilySearch and Free Online Indexes
FamilySearch.org has free indexes of Florida marriage records from 1830 to 1957. Use the index to find a marriage entry, then order a copy of the original from the correct county clerk for proof and citations.
Records Not Found in the Standard Search
Some older marriage records sit in church archives, not in government files. If a county search returns no results, check local church and synagogue records for the same period. Court records in the county may also show a marriage through probate or estate files.
Florida Marriage License Verification for Legal Use
Banks, immigration offices, and foreign embassies often ask for a Florida marriage license verification. A verification is the same as a certified copy of the marriage certificate, with the same fees and the same application rules.
Use Cases for Verification
Common uses include a name change on a passport, a spousal visa, a green card application, a Social Security update, a property deed, and a pension claim. Each use case accepts a certified copy of the Florida marriage certificate with the raised seal or stamp.
Time-Sensitive Requests
Rush service is available at most county clerks for an extra fee. The state office offers expedited mail service, which can cut the wait time down to one week. For same-day service, visit the county clerk where the license was issued.
Avoiding Scam Websites
Many private websites offer Florida marriage records at high prices. Avoid these sites for legal use, since their records are not certified. Use only the state Bureau of Vital Statistics, the county clerk, or a clerk-approved online portal for a legal certified copy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Marriage Records
This section answers common questions about reaching the right Florida office, ordering certified copies, and checking the status of a marriage license. The answers below cover the most searched questions from 2025 and 2026.
How do I order a certified copy of a Florida marriage certificate?
You can order a certified copy of a Florida marriage certificate through the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville, or through the county clerk of court where the license was issued. Fill out the official application, include a photocopy of a photo ID, sign the form, and pay the search and copy fee. Mail requests take two to four weeks, and in-person requests at the county clerk often finish the same day. The state office charges $5.00 for the search plus $4.00 for each certified copy, and county fees range from $10.00 to $25.00 for the first copy.
Can I search Florida marriage records by name for free?
Yes, you can search Florida marriage records by name for free through several county clerk online portals. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics also offers a name-based search of the Florida marriage index from 1927 forward. Free searches show the index entry, the date of marriage, and the county of issuance. To see the full record or to get a certified copy, you must pay the official fee and follow the certified copy process.
How long does it take to get a Florida marriage certificate by mail?
Mail requests for a Florida marriage certificate take two to four weeks when sent to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. County clerk mail requests take 7 to 14 days on average. Rush service at the state office can shorten the wait to one week for an extra fee. Same-day service is available only through in-person visits at a county clerk office.
What is the difference between the state vital records office and the county clerk?
The state vital records office keeps the statewide Florida marriage index and issues certified copies for events licensed in any county. The county clerk of court holds the original marriage license file for events licensed in that specific county. For new marriage license applications, couples must visit a county clerk, not the state office. For certified copies of older marriage certificates, either office can help, but the county clerk often provides faster, in-person service.
Can I check the status of a Florida marriage license application online?
You can check the status of a Florida marriage license application through the online portal of the county clerk where you applied. Many county clerks also accept status checks by phone. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics does not track the status of new marriage license applications, since the state office only handles the marriage index and certified copy requests after the ceremony.
Are Florida marriage records open to the public?
Florida marriage records become public after the officiant files the signed marriage license with the county clerk. The marriage index is open to anyone, but the full record, including certified copies, is limited to the spouses, their close family, and anyone with a court order. Free public search tools show the index entry, while certified copies require a photo ID, a signed application, and the official fee.
What if I cannot find the marriage record through the standard search?
If a standard search returns no results, the marriage file may sit in a different county, the license may still be pending, or the officiant may not have returned the signed license. Check nearby counties, call the county clerk where the ceremony took place, and confirm the officiant filed the signed license. Older records before 1927 may sit in county archives or church files. FamilySearch.org also has free indexes of older Florida marriage records for genealogy work.