Dixie County marriage license records are official papers that prove a couple got married in Dixie County, Florida. These records are kept by the Dixie County Clerk of the Circuit Court and the Florida Department of Health.
Anyone can ask for a copy of these records for legal proof, family history research, name changes, or insurance needs. This page covers how to apply for a license, where to find old records, how much it costs, and what papers you need.
About the Dixie County Clerk of Court
The Dixie County Clerk of the Circuit Court handles all marriage license records in this part of north-central Florida. The clerk runs the office in Cross City, which is the county seat. This office gives out marriage licenses, performs ceremonies, and keeps the old records safe. The clerk also sends copies of new marriage records to the state office in Jacksonville.
Office Location and Contact Details
The Dixie County Clerk office sits on County Road 351 in Cross City. You can call the office at (352) 498-1200 during business hours. The official website is dixieclerk.com, where you can learn more about the services they offer.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Dixie County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
| Street Address | 214 Co Rd 351, Cross City, FL 32628 |
| Phone Number | (352) 498-1200 |
| Website | dixieclerk.com |
| County Seat | Cross City |
Office Hours and Visit Planning
Because Dixie County is small and rural, the office has limited staff. You should call ahead before driving there. This saves time and a wasted trip. The clerk can confirm hours, accepted payment types, and what to bring. Most Florida county clerk offices accept cash, money orders, and sometimes credit cards, but small offices may not take cards.
How to Apply for a Marriage License in Dixie County
Both people in the couple must go to the clerk’s office together. No one can apply for you. The clerk will check your IDs, ask for your Social Security numbers, and collect the fee. The whole visit usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes if your paperwork is ready.
Step-by-Step Application Process
The clerk follows a set process for every marriage license. Each step must be finished before the license is issued. Both people must be present and answer all questions under oath.
- Both people come to the clerk’s office in Cross City together.
- Show valid photo ID such as a driver’s license, passport, or state ID.
- Give your Social Security numbers to the clerk.
- Tell the clerk if either person was married before. If yes, share the date and way the prior marriage ended (divorce, death, or annulment).
- Read the Florida Family Law Handbook. The clerk will ask about it.
- Sign the application form under oath.
- Pay the fee. Standard cost is $86. With a completed premarital course, the fee drops to $61.
- Wait three days if you are a Florida resident without a premarital course certificate.
- Pick up the active license after the wait time is over, if needed.
Required Documents and IDs
You must bring original documents. The clerk cannot accept photocopies for ID. Make sure every paper is current and not expired.
- Valid photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
- Social Security numbers for both people
- Divorce decree or death certificate if either person was married before
- Premarital course certificate if you want to skip the three-day wait and lower the fee
- Payment for the license fee
Age Requirements and Parental Consent
Florida law says both people must be at least 18 years old to marry without special approval. A 17-year-old can marry with written consent from both parents or a guardian. The parent must come in person to sign the consent form. Anyone under 17 needs a court order to marry, and a judge must approve the request.
Marriage License Fees in Dixie County
The cost of a marriage license in Dixie County is set by Florida state law. The clerk cannot change the price. The fee includes small parts that go to state trust funds that help families and courts across Florida.
Standard License Cost
The base fee for a marriage license is $86. This fee covers the clerk’s work and includes money that goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund and the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. The clerk will give you a receipt for your payment.
Fee Reduction With Premarital Course
If both people finish a four-hour premarital preparation course from a state-approved provider, the fee drops by $25. The new total is $61. You must bring the original certificate of completion. A copy or photo will not be accepted. The course also removes the three-day wait time for Florida residents.
| License Type | Cost | Wait Period |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Marriage License | $86.00 | 3 days for Florida residents |
| License With Premarital Course | $61.00 | None |
Waiting Period and License Validity
Florida marriage licenses have two time limits. One is how long you must wait before using the license. The other is how long the license stays valid before it expires.
Three-Day Waiting Period
Florida residents must wait three days after applying before the license becomes active. The clock starts the day after you apply. This wait can be skipped only if both people show the original certificate from an approved four-hour premarital course. Non-Florida residents do not have to wait. They can use the license right away after the clerk issues it.
60-Day License Validity
Every marriage license in Florida stays valid for 60 days from the date the clerk issues it. Once those 60 days pass, the license expires and cannot be used. If you do not have your ceremony in time, you must apply again and pay a new fee. Florida law does not allow extensions on expired licenses.
Who Can Perform the Marriage Ceremony
Florida allows many people to perform a marriage ceremony. The law lists who has the power to marry a couple. As long as the officiant is authorized, the marriage is legal in Florida.
Authorized Officiants in Florida
Under Florida Statute 741.07, the following people can perform marriage ceremonies in the state:
- Ordained ministers, rabbis, or other religious leaders
- Judicial officers, including judges and retired judges
- Clerks of the Circuit Court and deputy clerks
- Notaries public who are registered with the state
- Captains in the United States Coast Guard, Navy, or Marines while at sea
- Other people authorized by their faith group
The Dixie County Clerk can perform your ceremony at the office. You should ask about this service when you apply for the license. There is no extra fee charged by the clerk for performing the ceremony in most cases.
After the Ceremony: Recording the Marriage
The marriage is not fully complete in the public records until the signed license is sent back to the clerk. The officiant and the couple must follow specific steps to make the record official.
Returning the Signed License
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage license along with the couple and witnesses. The signed license must go back to the Dixie County Clerk within 10 days of the ceremony. The clerk then records the marriage and creates an official record. This record is the basis for all certified copies of the marriage certificate.
Statewide Marriage Records Database
The Dixie County Clerk sends a copy of each new marriage record to the Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. This state office keeps a master database of all marriages that happen in Florida. You can order a certified copy of your marriage certificate from either the county clerk or the state office.
How to Search Old Marriage Records in Dixie County
People often need to find old marriage records for genealogy, legal proof, or name changes. Dixie County keeps these records at the clerk’s office, and the state keeps a master copy at the Florida Department of Health.
In-Person Records Request
You can visit the Dixie County Clerk’s office and ask to search marriage records. The clerk staff will help you look through the books and computer systems. You will need to know at least the full names of the people who were married and the approximate year of the marriage. There may be a small search fee or copy fee.
Online Records Search Options
Florida offers online tools to search official records. These tools let you look up marriage records from any county in the state. They are run by the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers group.
- MyFloridaCounty official records search: Search marriage records and other public documents from all Florida counties online.
- Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers marriage page: Explains how to find marriage license and certificate records statewide.
Florida Department of Health Vital Records
The state Office of Vital Statistics keeps the full record of every marriage that happens in Florida. You can order certified copies from this office by mail, online, or in person at their Jacksonville location. This is a good option if you do not live near Dixie County or if the county does not have the record you need.
Getting a Certified Marriage Certificate
A certified marriage certificate is a legal paper that proves you are married. It has a raised seal and a stamp from the issuing office. Banks, courts, and government agencies require certified copies, not regular photocopies.
Certified Copy Request Process
You can order a certified marriage certificate from either the Dixie County Clerk or the Florida Department of Health. You must show valid ID and pay the fee. If you order by mail, you must include a signed application, a copy of your ID, and payment by check or money order.
Cost and Delivery Options
The fee for a certified copy of a marriage certificate is set by Florida law. The clerk charges one price for in-person pickup. The state office charges a similar fee, with extra fees for rush service or shipping. Delivery times vary based on the method you choose.
| Source | Fee | Delivery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Dixie County Clerk (in person) | Check with clerk | Same day usually |
| Florida Dept. of Health (online) | Check state site | Several business days |
| Florida Dept. of Health (mail) | Check state site | Several weeks |
Dixie County Communities Served
Dixie County is one of Florida’s smaller counties. It covers a large land area in the Big Bend region along the Gulf of Mexico. Most of the people who need marriage license services live in or near these communities.
Towns and Census-Designated Places
All marriage license applications for Dixie County go to the one clerk’s office in Cross City. No matter where you live in the county, you must visit this single office to apply. The main communities in the county include:
- Cross City (county seat)
- Old Town
- Horseshoe Beach
- Suwannee
- Steinhatchee (partly in Taylor County)
Nearby Counties for Marriage Licenses
Dixie County borders several other counties along the Gulf Coast and the inland Big Bend area. If the Dixie County Clerk office is too far for you, you can apply for a marriage license at any county clerk in Florida. The license is valid for a ceremony anywhere in the state.
Bordering County Clerk Offices
These nearby counties are easy options if you live in the region and want a closer clerk office:
- Levy County Clerk
- Gilchrist County Clerk
- Lafayette County Clerk
- Taylor County Clerk
Contact the Dixie County Clerk
Before you drive to the office, call the Dixie County Clerk to confirm hours, payment types, and any paperwork you may need. The clerk’s office is the only place in the county that issues marriage licenses. For old marriage records or certified copies, the same office handles requests during business hours.
Official Address: 214 Co Rd 351, Cross City, FL 32628
Phone: (352) 498-1200
Website: dixieclerk.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about Dixie County marriage license records. These cover applying, searching old records, and getting certified copies. If your question is not here, call the Dixie County Clerk for help.
Can I apply for a marriage license online in Dixie County?
No. Florida law requires both people in the couple to appear in person at the clerk’s office. You cannot apply by mail, fax, or online. The clerk must check your IDs and watch you sign the application under oath. This rule applies to every Florida county, including Dixie County.
How long does it take to get a certified marriage certificate after the ceremony?
After the ceremony, the officiant has 10 days to return the signed license to the clerk. Once the clerk records it, you can ask for certified copies right away. If you order from the Florida Department of Health, it takes longer because the state must receive the record from the county first.
What if I was married in Dixie County many years ago?
Old marriage records from Dixie County are still kept by the clerk’s office. Some very old records may only exist in paper books. You can visit the office to search the records in person, or contact the Florida Department of Health for help. The state office keeps records of all Florida marriages going back many decades.
Do I need to be a Florida resident to get married in Dixie County?
No. Anyone can apply for a marriage license in any Florida county, no matter where they live. Non-Florida residents do not have to wait three days before using the license. You only need valid photo ID and the other required papers.
What is the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate?
A marriage license is the paper that lets you get married. A marriage certificate is the proof that the marriage already happened. The license comes before the ceremony. The certificate comes after the signed license is recorded by the clerk.
Can I get married the same day I apply for the license?
It depends on where you live. Non-Florida residents can get married right after the license is issued. Florida residents must wait three days unless they bring a certificate from an approved premarital course. The Dixie County Clerk performs ceremonies during business hours.
How much does it cost to search old marriage records in Dixie County?
The Dixie County Clerk may charge a small fee for record searches and copies. The exact cost depends on how much time the search takes and how many copies you need. Call the clerk’s office at (352) 498-1200 to ask about current fees before you visit.