Orlando City marriage license records cover every marriage license issued by the Orange County Clerk of the Circuit Court. These records show who applied, when the license was issued, and when the marriage was filed.
The Orange County Clerk keeps the original paper records in Orlando. The Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps a statewide index. Anyone can request a certified copy of a marriage license from either office. This page explains how the records work, who can get them, what they cost, and how to order them.
What Are Orlando Marriage License Records
Orlando marriage license records are public documents created when two people apply to marry in Orange County. The Orange County Clerk stamps the application, collects the fee, and adds the couple to the official index. After the wedding, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Clerk. The Clerk files it, sends one copy to the State Office of Vital Statistics, and stores the original in Orlando.
What the Records Contain
A complete Orlando marriage license record shows the full legal names of both spouses, their dates of birth, their Social Security numbers, and their home addresses at the time of application. The record also shows the date the license was issued, the date the marriage ceremony took place, and the name and title of the officiant. Two witness signatures appear on older records. The Clerk stamps the file number, the book number, and the page number where the license is stored.
Who Keeps the Records in Orlando
The Orange County Clerk of the Circuit Court owns the original marriage license records for every wedding performed in Orlando. The Clerk’s main office sits at 425 N. Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando. The Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville holds the statewide index and issues certified copies for the whole state of Florida.
How to Search Orlando Marriage Records
You can search Orlando marriage records in three ways: online through the Orange County Clerk website, in person at the Clerk’s office, or by mail through the State Office of Vital Statistics. Each method gives you different types of records. Some searches are free. Others cost money.
Online Search Through the Orange County Clerk
The Orange County Clerk runs a public records search portal on its official website at orangeclerk.com. The portal lets you search marriage records by the names of either spouse. You can narrow the search by date range. Basic record details show for free. A printable image of the license costs a small fee per page.
In Person Search at the Downtown Orlando Office
Walk into the Orange County Clerk’s office at 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801. Ask for the Official Records department. Staff can pull the original marriage license book or the digital scan. You can view the record on a public terminal at no charge. Printed copies cost about $1 per page. Certified copies cost more.
Mail Search Through the State of Florida
The Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics handles mail requests for all Florida marriage records, including those filed in Orange County. Mail a completed application form with a copy of your photo ID and the correct fee. The Bureau mails the certified copy back to you. Mail orders take several weeks.
Orange County Clerk Office Details
The Orange County Clerk of the Circuit Court is the main record holder for Orlando marriage license records. The Clerk’s office processes every marriage license application, files every completed license, and answers public record requests.
Main Office Address and Hours
The main Orange County Clerk office sits at 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801. The office opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The office closes on state holidays. You do not need an appointment to apply for a marriage license or to search public records.
Phone Number and Website
Call the Orange County Clerk at (407) 836-2000 for general questions. The marriage license desk has a direct line at (407) 836-2060. Visit the official website at orangeclerk.com to access the online pre-application form and the public records search portal.
| Office | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801 |
| Phone | (407) 836-2000 |
| Marriage License Line | (407) 836-2060 |
| Office Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Website | orangeclerk.com |
| Marriage Page | orangeclerk.com/marriage-license |
| Records Search | orangeclerk.com/official-records |
How to Apply for a Marriage License in Orlando
Both people must visit the Orange County Clerk’s office together to apply for a marriage license in Orlando. You can fill out the pre-application online ahead of time to save waiting at the counter. The Clerk still needs both of you in person to sign the form and show your IDs.
Documents You Need to Bring
Bring a valid government photo ID for each person. A driver’s license, state ID card, or passport all work. You also need your Social Security number. You do not need the physical Social Security card. If you were married before, bring the exact date the last marriage ended and the way it ended (divorce, death, or annulment).
- Valid photo ID for both applicants
- Social Security numbers for both applicants
- Date and place of birth for both applicants
- Final divorce decree or death certificate, if previously married
- Payment for the marriage license fee
Age Requirements Under Florida Law
Florida Statute 741.04 sets the minimum age at 18 for both applicants. A 17-year-old can apply with written consent from both parents or legal guardians, and only if the other applicant is no more than two years older. Anyone under 17 cannot marry in Florida.
Marriage License Fees in Orlando
The standard marriage license fee in Orlando and across all Florida counties is $86. Couples who complete a four-hour premarital preparation course from a registered provider pay a reduced fee of $61. The Clerk accepts cash, money order, and most major credit and debit cards at the Orlando office.
What the Fee Covers
Florida law splits the $86 fee into several trust funds. Part goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Part goes to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. The Clerk keeps a portion to cover the cost of processing the application and filing the license.
Cost of Certified Copies
A certified copy of a marriage license costs $3 per copy in Orange County. Most people order two or three certified copies. Banks, insurance companies, and name change agencies often require a certified copy with the raised Clerk’s seal.
Waiting Period and License Validity
Florida law requires a three-day waiting period after a marriage license is issued. The license cannot be used for a wedding during those three days. The wait does not apply to couples who complete an approved premarital course, and the wait does not apply to non-Florida residents.
How to Skip the Three-Day Wait
Both applicants must complete a premarital preparation course from a provider registered with the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers. The course takes at least four hours. Bring the original certificate of completion to the Clerk’s office in Orlando at the time of application. The license becomes valid the same day.
License Expiration Date
A Florida marriage license expires 60 days after it is issued. If the wedding does not happen within 60 days, the couple must apply for a new license and pay the fee again. The Clerk does not refund fees for unused licenses.
After the Wedding: Filing the License
The officiant who performs the wedding must sign the marriage license and return it to the Orange County Clerk’s office within 10 days of the ceremony. The Clerk records the marriage in the Official Records database and sends one copy to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Orlando
Florida law allows ordained ministers, rabbis, priests, judges, retired judges, clerks of court, and notaries public to officiate a wedding in Orlando. The officiant must be at least 18 years old. The Clerk’s office keeps a current list of registered officiants in Orange County.
How to Get a Certified Copy After Filing
Wait at least two weeks after the wedding before ordering a certified copy. The Clerk needs time to scan and index the filed license. Order online through the Orange County Clerk portal, in person at the downtown office, or by mail through the State Office of Vital Statistics.
Florida Marriage Records by County
Florida has 67 counties. Each county Clerk of Court issues marriage licenses and keeps the original records for that county. A marriage license issued in any county is valid in every Florida county. The statewide index is held by the Florida Department of Health.
Major Florida County Clerks
The most searched Florida county marriage records belong to the largest metro areas. Each Clerk runs its own search portal and charges the same state-set fees.
| County | Seat | Clerk Website |
|---|---|---|
| Orange County | Orlando | orangeclerk.com |
| Miami-Dade County | Miami | miami-dadeclerk.gov |
| Hillsborough County | Tampa | hillsclerk.com |
| Broward County | Fort Lauderdale | browardclerk.org |
| Duval County | Jacksonville | duvalclerk.com |
| Palm Beach County | West Palm Beach | mypalmbeachclerk.com |
| Pinellas County | Clearwater | pinellasclerk.org |
| Lee County | Fort Myers | leeclerk.org |
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics sits inside the Florida Department of Health in Jacksonville. The Bureau holds statewide indexes of all Florida marriages from 1927 to the present. You can order certified copies of marriage certificates from the Bureau by mail, online, or in person.
Florida Marriage Records for Genealogy
Genealogy researchers often need older Florida marriage records. The Orange County Clerk’s older marriage license books go back to the founding of the county. Many of these books have been scanned and indexed. Some are online for free. Others require an in-person visit.
Older Records at the Orange County Clerk
Marriage license books from 1909 to the present sit in the Orange County Clerk’s archive room. Older books are on microfilm. The Clerk’s genealogy index lists every Orlando marriage by the groom’s last name, the bride’s last name, and the year of the marriage. Researchers can search this index at no charge.
Statewide Genealogy Resources
The Florida State Archives in Tallahassee hold older marriage records for counties that no longer have them. The FamilySearch website run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosts free indexes of many Florida marriage records. Ancestry.com and MyHeritage also have large Florida marriage collections, but those sites require a paid subscription.
How to Verify a Florida Marriage License
Employers, insurance companies, and immigration offices often ask for proof of a marriage. A certified copy of the filed license serves as legal proof. Some agencies accept the printed record image from the Clerk’s portal, but most require the raised-seal certified copy.
Verification for Legal Purposes
Order a certified copy of the marriage certificate from the Orange County Clerk or the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. A certified copy shows the Clerk’s raised seal, the filing date, and the file number. Federal agencies accept certified copies from the Bureau for all legal purposes.
Verification for International Use
Couples who married in Orlando and now live abroad often need an apostille on their Florida marriage certificate. The Florida Department of State in Tallahassee issues apostilles. Mail the certified copy with the apostille request form and the fee to the Department of State.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many people make simple errors when applying for a marriage license or ordering a copy. Avoid these mistakes to save time and money.
Missing the Three-Day Wait
Florida residents who skip the premarital course must wait three full days before the wedding. The three days count calendar days, not business days. Weddings held during the wait are not legal.
Letting the License Expire
A marriage license expires 60 days after it is issued. The Clerk does not refund fees for expired licenses. Couples who wait too long must apply again and pay again.
Ordering From the Wrong Office
The Orange County Clerk only holds records filed in Orange County. For marriages filed in another Florida county, contact that county’s Clerk. For genealogy searches older than 1927, contact the Florida State Archives.
Contact for Orlando Marriage License Records
Orange County Clerk of the Circuit Court, 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801. Phone: (407) 836-2000. Marriage license line: (407) 836-2060. Website: orangeclerk.com. Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville handles statewide mail orders at FLHealth.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common search topics for Orlando marriage license records. Each answer gives the exact step, fee, or office you need. The answers also point to the state law or official source behind each rule.
How Do I Find an Old Marriage Record in Orlando?
Start with the Orange County Clerk’s online Official Records search at orangeclerk.com. Search by the spouse’s last name and the year of the marriage. Older books from 1909 to 1990 sit on microfilm at the Clerk’s downtown Orlando office. Visit the genealogy desk during office hours. The Clerk staff can pull the microfilm reel at no charge. For marriages older than 1927, the Florida State Archives in Tallahassee also keeps scanned indexes that researchers can view through the State Library catalog.
Can Anyone Get a Copy of a Marriage License in Florida?
Yes. Florida marriage license records are public records under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Any adult can view the record at the Clerk’s office or order a certified copy online. The Clerk does not require proof of a family relationship. The only records that stay sealed are those of minors whose parents asked for confidentiality at the time of application, and those sealed by a court order.
How Long Does a Marriage License Last in Florida?
A Florida marriage license stays valid for 60 days from the date the Clerk issues it. The three-day waiting period for Florida residents runs at the start of those 60 days. After 60 days, the license expires and cannot be used for a wedding. Couples whose license expires must apply for a new license and pay the fee again.
What Is the Difference Between a Marriage License and a Marriage Certificate?
A marriage license is the application and permit that lets two people get married. A marriage certificate is the filed record that proves the marriage took place. The Clerk files the signed license after the wedding and produces the certificate. The certified copy you order from the Clerk or the Bureau of Vital Statistics is a marriage certificate.
How Much Does a Certified Marriage Certificate Cost in Florida?
The Orange County Clerk charges $3 for each certified copy of a marriage certificate. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics charges $9 for the first copy and $4 for each extra copy in the same order. All certified copies from either office carry the same legal weight in Florida and across the United States.
Do I Need an Appointment to Apply in Orlando?
No. The Orange County Clerk accepts walk-in applications at the downtown Orlando office every weekday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Clerk does offer an online pre-application form that saves time at the counter, but both applicants must still appear in person to sign the application, show IDs, and pay the fee. Arrive at least 30 minutes before closing to allow time for processing.
Can I Get a Florida Marriage Certificate Online?
Yes. Order a certified copy online through the Orange County Clerk’s official portal at orangeclerk.com for records filed in Orange County. For records filed in other Florida counties, use the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics online order system at FLHealth.gov. Online orders accept credit and debit cards and ship the certified copy by U.S. mail within two to three weeks.