Miami Beach city marriage license records are public documents filed with the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts. Couples who marry in Miami Beach, or who live in this barrier island city, create a paper trail through the county clerk.
Florida law makes these records open to the public after the license is filed. Anyone can look up a Miami Beach marriage record by name, date, or license number. This page covers how to apply, search, order certified copies, and check old records from 1927 onward.
Who Handles Miami Beach Marriage License Records
Florida runs marriage records at the county level. The state does not issue licenses from one central office. Each county clerk keeps the original papers. For Miami Beach, this means the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts is the main office for everything related to marriage records in the city.
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts Role
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts issues new marriage licenses and files signed licenses after the wedding. The main office sits at 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130. The clerk also keeps a public search tool on the website where anyone can look up filed records. Miami Beach residents use this same office because the city falls inside Miami-Dade County.
Florida Department of Health Records
Once a signed license returns to the clerk, the clerk sends a copy to the Florida Department of Health. The Department of Health runs the Office of Vital Statistics. This state office keeps every Florida marriage record from June 6, 1927, to the present day. Certified copies for use outside the county often come from this state office.
Bureau of Vital Statistics Functions
The Bureau of Vital Statistics sits inside the Florida Department of Health. It stores the master index of all marriages in the state. When someone needs a Florida marriage certificate for a name change, passport, or insurance matter, this bureau issues the official state copy. The bureau works with the county clerks and with third-party vendors like VitalChek to process orders.
How to Apply for a Marriage License in Miami Beach
Couples who want to marry in Miami Beach must apply in person at the Miami-Dade Clerk’s office. The clerk does not allow one person to start the process alone. Both people must show up together. The clerk then enters the names into the statewide system and prints the license on the spot.
Who Can Apply for a Marriage License
Florida law says both people must be at least 18 years old. A 17-year-old can apply only with parental consent and only if the partner is no more than two years older. There is no state residency rule. Tourists and visitors who come to Miami Beach for a destination wedding can apply for a license just like local residents.
Documents You Need to Bring
The clerk asks for a valid photo ID from each person. A driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID all work. Both people must know their Social Security number, but the actual card is not required. If either person was married before, the clerk asks for the date the prior marriage ended through divorce, death, or annulment.
Fees and Payment Options
The marriage license fee in Miami-Dade County is $86.00. Couples who complete a four-hour premarital course from an approved provider pay only $61.00. The course also removes the three-day wait for Florida residents. Most clerk locations accept cash and credit cards. Part of the fee funds the Domestic Violence Trust Fund and the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund, as required by state law.
- Standard fee: $86.00
- Fee with premarital course: $61.00
- Courthouse ceremony: $30.00
- Duplicate license if lost: $30.00
- Certified copy of marriage certificate: $7.00 to $10.00
Waiting Period and License Validity
Florida residents must wait three days after the license is issued before the ceremony. Non-Florida residents skip this wait. The license stays valid for 60 days from the issue date. After 60 days, the license expires and the couple must start over with a new application. The officiant must return the signed license to the clerk within 10 days of the ceremony.
Searching Miami Beach Marriage License Records
People often need to look up an old Miami Beach marriage record for legal, family history, or personal reasons. Florida offers several search tools that cover Miami-Dade County records. The tools work for both recent marriages and records going back many decades.
Miami-Dade Clerk Online Portal
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts runs an online records search on its website. Users can search by name, date range, or license number. The portal shows basic details like the names of both spouses, the marriage date, and the license number. For a full certified copy, the user must place an order through the clerk or the state office.
Florida Statewide Marriage Index
The Florida Department of Health runs a statewide marriage index that covers every county. This index includes records from 1927 to the present. People who do not know the county of marriage can search this statewide tool. The index confirms whether a record exists and points the user to the correct county clerk or state office for a certified copy.
Third-Party Record Search Services
Several third-party websites offer Florida marriage records search by name. These sites pull data from public sources and may charge a fee. VitalChek is the official third-party vendor that the Florida Department of Health uses for online orders. Other genealogy sites like Ancestry and FamilySearch also host Florida marriage indexes for free.
Requesting Certified Marriage Certificates
A regular printout from a search portal is not a legal document. People who need proof of marriage for a passport, immigration case, or court matter must order a certified copy. Certified copies carry the state seal and the signature of the registrar. They are accepted by all U.S. agencies and most foreign governments.
In-Person Requests at the Clerk Office
Walk-in customers can request a certified copy at the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts office. The clerk needs the full names of both spouses and the date of marriage. The standard fee is $7.00 for the first copy and a few dollars for each extra copy. Most requests are processed while the customer waits.
Mail-In Requests for Certificates
Customers who live out of state or cannot visit the clerk can send a written request by mail. The request must include both full names, the date of marriage, the county of marriage, and a check or money order for the fee. A Florida marriage records request form is available on the Department of Health website to make the mail process easier.
Online Orders Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the official online vendor for Florida marriage certificates. Users enter the required details, pay the fee by credit card, and receive the certified copy by mail. Processing takes a few business days plus shipping time. This is the fastest option for people outside Florida who need a certified copy.
Florida Marriage Records by County
Miami Beach sits inside Miami-Dade County. Couples who marry in other parts of Florida must file their license with the county clerk where they applied. Each county keeps its own records, but the Florida Department of Health holds the statewide index. Below are a few common counties people search for when doing a Florida marriage records search by name.
Broward County Marriage Records
Broward County sits north of Miami-Dade. The Broward County Clerk of Courts handles marriage licenses for cities like Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood. People who got married in Broward must order certified copies through the Broward Clerk or the Florida Department of Health.
Palm Beach County License Records
Palm Beach County is the next county north of Broward. The Palm Beach County Clerk issues licenses and files marriage records for the area. The county’s online search tool lets users look up records by name. Certified copies can be ordered online, by mail, or in person at the clerk’s office in West Palm Beach.
Orange County Marriage Records
Orange County covers the Orlando area. The Orange County Clerk of Courts processes marriage licenses and stores the records. People who need a copy of an Orange County marriage record can order through the clerk, the Florida Department of Health, or VitalChek. Orange County records also show up in the statewide index.
Genealogy and Historical Marriage Records
Family historians often search old marriage records to build family trees. Florida keeps these records at the county and state level. The rules for old records depend on the year of the marriage and the county where the event took place.
Records from 1927 to Present
Florida started collecting marriage records statewide on June 6, 1927. Every marriage from that date forward has a record on file with the Florida Department of Health. Older indexes are also available through the county clerks. Researchers can search by bride name, groom name, date range, or county.
Older Pre-1927 Records
Florida did not require statewide marriage registration before June 1927. Pre-1927 records exist only at the county level. Some counties have full records. Others have gaps due to fires, floods, or poor record-keeping. Genealogists often search church records, newspaper archives, and local history books to fill in these gaps.
Apostille and Out-of-State Use
Couples who got married in Miami Beach sometimes need their marriage certificate for use in another country. Many foreign governments ask for an apostille. An apostille is a stamp that proves the document is real and can be used in countries that joined the Hague Apostille Convention.
What an Apostille Does
An apostille certifies the signature and seal on a public document. It does not change the content of the certificate. Once a Florida marriage certificate carries an apostille, it can be used in any country that accepts the Hague Convention format. The apostille comes from the Florida Department of State, not the county clerk.
How to Request an Apostille
The applicant must first order a certified copy of the marriage certificate from the Florida Department of Health. Then the certified copy goes to the Florida Department of State, Bureau of Authentication. The bureau checks the seal and adds the apostille. The whole process usually takes a few weeks.
Miami Beach Office Contact Details
The main Miami-Dade Clerk office for marriage records sits in downtown Miami. The drive from Miami Beach takes about 15 to 25 minutes, depending on traffic. Walk-ins are accepted at the main office. Call ahead before visiting a branch office, since not all branches process marriage licenses.
Main Office Address
73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130. The office sits across from the government center in downtown Miami. Free parking is not always available, so many couples use a rideshare service from Miami Beach.
Phone Number and Website
The clerk’s office phone number is (305) 275-1155. The official website is miamidadeclerk.gov. The website has the online search tool, fee schedule, office hours, and downloadable forms.
Office Hours
The main office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office closes on state and federal holidays. Couples should arrive at least one hour before closing to finish the application process.
Map of the Miami-Dade Clerk Office
The map below shows the location of the main Miami-Dade Clerk office at 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers common questions about Miami Beach city marriage license records. The answers cover search methods, fees, request forms, and verification steps. Each answer gives clear facts based on Florida law and current clerk office rules. People who need more help should contact the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts or the Florida Department of Health directly.
How do I search Florida marriage records by name?
You can search Florida marriage records by name through the Miami-Dade Clerk online portal, the Florida Department of Health statewide index, or third-party genealogy sites. The statewide index covers marriages from June 6, 1927, to the present. Enter the full name of either spouse, the approximate date, and the county if known. The system returns the license number, the filing date, and the county of marriage. For a certified copy, place an order through the clerk, the state office, or VitalChek.
Are Miami Beach marriage license records free to view?
Yes, the basic record search through the Miami-Dade Clerk online portal is free. You can see the names, date, and license number without paying. Fees only apply when you order a certified copy of the marriage certificate for legal use. The fee for a certified copy is $7.00 to $10.00, depending on the issuing office and shipping method.
What is the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate?
A marriage license is the permit to get married. It is issued before the ceremony and signed by the officiant, the couple, and any witnesses. A marriage certificate is the legal proof that the marriage took place. It is created after the officiant returns the signed license to the clerk. Most legal matters require the certificate, not the license.
Can I get a Florida marriage certificate copy by mail?
Yes. Fill out the Florida marriage records request form from the Department of Health website. Include both full names, the date of marriage, the county, and a check or money order for the fee. Mail the form to the Office of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. Processing usually takes two to four weeks. You can also order by mail through the Miami-Dade Clerk if the marriage took place in Miami-Dade County.
How do I verify a Miami Beach marriage license number?
You can verify a Miami Beach marriage license number through the Miami-Dade Clerk online portal. Enter the license number in the search field. The system shows the names on the license, the issue date, and the filing date after the ceremony. This verification works for both recent and older licenses filed with the clerk. For state-level verification, use the Florida Department of Health marriage records search tool.
What is a Florida marriage records apostille and when do I need one?
A Florida marriage records apostille is a stamp from the Florida Department of State that proves a marriage certificate is real for use in another country. You need an apostille when a foreign government requires proof of marriage for immigration, property, or dual citizenship cases. The apostille goes on a certified copy of the certificate, which you must order first from the Florida Department of Health.
Can non-residents apply for a Miami Beach marriage license?
Yes. Florida does not require residency for a marriage license. Tourists and visitors who come to Miami Beach for a destination wedding can apply at the Miami-Dade Clerk office. Non-residents also skip the three-day waiting period that applies to Florida residents. The license still costs $86.00 and stays valid for 60 days from the issue date. The same ID rules and document rules apply to everyone.