Taylor County marriage license records cover every license issued, every application filed, and every wedding recorded inside Taylor County, Florida. These records are kept by the Taylor County Clerk of the Circuit Court in Perry.
The clerk’s office is the single source for anyone who needs to apply for a new license, request a copy of a past record, or check the status of a recent marriage. Records from June 6, 1927 forward are also stored with the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics. Taylor County forms part of Florida’s 3rd Judicial Circuit, and the same state rules apply here as in every other county in the state.
Where to Get a Taylor County Marriage License
Only one office in Taylor County can issue a marriage license. The Clerk of the Circuit Court in Perry handles every step of the process from the first application to the final filing after the ceremony. Couples who live in Perry, Steinhatchee, Salem, or any small town in the county all go to the same courthouse on North Jefferson Street. The office is open on weekdays during posted business hours and closed on weekends and state holidays.
Taylor County Clerk of the Circuit Court
The Clerk of the Circuit Court acts as the official record keeper for all marriage license records in Taylor County. Under Florida Statute 741.01, no other office or person in the county has the legal power to issue a license. The clerk’s staff also files the signed license after the wedding and forwards a copy to the state office for permanent storage. The courthouse sits in the center of downtown Perry, which makes it easy to reach from any part of the county. Visitors can park on the street or in the public lot behind the building.
Office Address and Phone Number
The clerk’s office is on North Jefferson Street in the heart of Perry. You can call the office during business hours to ask about fees, required papers, or how to set up a visit. The phone line is open on weekdays and closed on weekends and state holidays. Walk-in visitors are welcome during posted hours, yet the office recommends calling ahead during peak times like the days around Valentine’s Day and the start of spring.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Office | Taylor County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
| Street Address | 108 N. Jefferson Street, Perry, FL 32347 |
| Phone | (850) 838-3506 |
| Website | taylorclerk.com |
| Judicial Circuit | 3rd Judicial Circuit of Florida |
| County Seat | Perry, Florida |
How to Apply for a Marriage License in Taylor County
Both people must show up in person at the Taylor County Clerk’s office at the same time. You cannot apply by mail, by phone, or online. The clerk will check your papers, take your payment, and issue the license on the spot. Most visits take less than thirty minutes when all papers are in order.
Documents You Need to Bring
Bring a valid photo ID for each person. A driver’s license, state ID card, or passport all work. You also need your Social Security number for the application, yet the actual card is not required. If either person was born outside the United States, bring a passport or other proof of citizenship or legal status. The clerk cannot process the application without proper ID for both applicants.
- Photo ID for each person (driver’s license, state ID, or passport)
- Social Security number for each person
- Payment for the license fee ($86 standard or $61 with course)
- Certificate from an approved 4-hour premarital course (if you want the lower fee)
- Divorce decree, death certificate, or annulment record (if either person was married before)
Age Requirements and Eligibility Rules
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old under Florida Statute 741.04. A 17-year-old can apply with parental consent, yet the other person cannot be more than two years older. No person under 17 can marry in Florida, no matter the situation. The clerk will check IDs to confirm the age of each applicant before issuing the license.
Rules for People Who Were Married Before
Anyone who was married before must tell the clerk how that marriage ended. Divorce, death, or annulment are the only options. You also need the exact date it ended and the state and county where the divorce was filed. The Taylor County clerk will not process the application without those details. There is no waiting period after a divorce in Florida, so you can apply for a new license on the same day the divorce becomes final.
How to Skip the 3-Day Waiting Period
Florida residents must wait three full days after getting a license before the ceremony can take place. The wait starts the day after the license is issued. You can skip this wait by completing a 4-hour premarital preparation course from a state-approved provider. Both people must complete the course and bring the original completion certificate to the clerk when applying. Couples from outside Florida do not face the three-day wait at all, even without the course.
Marriage License Fees in Taylor County
The cost of a marriage license in Taylor County is set by Florida state law and matches the fee in all 67 counties. The clerk accepts cash, money order, and most major debit or credit cards. Some card payments carry a small processing fee charged by the payment vendor, so ask about that before you pay.
Standard License Cost
A standard marriage license in Taylor County costs $86. This fee covers the license itself, one certified copy of the marriage certificate after the ceremony, and a portion that goes to state trust funds. The clerk will give you a receipt at the time of payment.
Reduced Fee With Premarital Course
Couples who complete a 4-hour premarital preparation course from an approved provider pay only $61. That is a $25 savings. Florida Statute 741.0305 sets this lower fee. You must bring the original completion certificate at the time of application. Photocopies and digital copies are not accepted.
How the State Distributes the Fee
Part of every marriage license fee in Florida goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Another portion funds the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. These allocations are set by the state legislature and apply in every Florida county. Taylor County keeps only a small share of the fee to cover office costs.
| Fee Type | Amount | Required Step |
|---|---|---|
| Standard License | $86 | None |
| Reduced License | $61 | 4-Hour Premarital Course |
| Certified Copy | About $3 each | After Recording |
| Card Processing Fee | Varies | Ask Clerk Before Paying |
After the Wedding Ceremony
Once the clerk issues your license, you have a short window to hold the ceremony. The signed license must then be returned to the clerk for filing. This process makes the marriage a matter of public record in Taylor County and across the state of Florida.
License Validity and Time Limits
Your marriage license is good for 60 days from the date the Taylor County Clerk issues it. Under Florida Statute 741.041, the ceremony must happen within that window. If the license expires before the wedding, you must apply again and pay a new fee. The 60-day clock starts on the issue date and ends exactly 60 days later, no matter the day of the week.
Who Can Officiate Your Wedding
Florida Statute 741.07 lists the people who can perform a legal wedding ceremony. Ordained ministers, rabbis, priests, judicial officers, notaries public, and clerks of the circuit court all qualify. You can hold the ceremony anywhere in Florida, not just in Taylor County. The officiant signs the license after the ceremony and returns it to the clerk who issued it.
Getting Your Certified Marriage Certificate
After the wedding, the signed license goes back to the Taylor County Clerk. The person who performed the ceremony usually handles this step. The clerk files the record and sends a copy to the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics. State filing takes about 60 days. Your first certified copy is part of the original license fee, yet extra copies cost about $3 each at the clerk’s office.
How to Search Taylor County Marriage Records
Taylor County marriage records are public records. You can search for them in person, by mail, or online through state and county portals. Older records from before June 6, 1927 must come from the county clerk where the license was issued. Newer records can be ordered from either the county or the state.
Online Search Through MyFloridaCounty
The MyFloridaCounty portal lets you search for recorded documents in Taylor County and other counties. You can look up official records, including marriage licenses, by name, date, or document number. The portal charges a small fee per document viewed or printed. You need to create a free account before you can search.
Florida Department of Health Records
The Florida Department of Health holds marriage certificates from June 6, 1927 forward. You can order certified copies from the state office, or use VitalChek to order online. The state search fee is $5 for one calendar year and one copy. Computer-generated certificates take 3 to 5 business days to process, not counting shipping time. Older paper records may take longer.
In-Person Records Request at the Clerk
You can request copies of Taylor County marriage license records in person at the clerk’s office in Perry. Bring a photo ID and as much detail as you can about the record, such as the full names of both people and the year of the marriage. The clerk staff will search the index and pull the record for you. Copies cost about $3 each for a plain copy and more for a certified copy with the official seal.
Records From Before 1927
Florida did not start statewide recording of marriage records until June 6, 1927. Any marriage that took place in Taylor County before that date is recorded only at the county level, if a record was filed at all. You must contact the Taylor County Clerk of the Circuit Court for these older records. The clerk’s office can search historical indexes and church and civil records for early Taylor County marriages.
Cities Served by the Taylor County Clerk
Taylor County has a small population spread across a few towns and rural areas. All residents use the same clerk’s office in Perry for marriage license services. The courthouse on North Jefferson Street is the only location in the county for this purpose.
Perry, the County Seat
Perry is the county seat of Taylor County and the home of the clerk’s office. Most residents live in or near Perry. The city sits along U.S. Highway 19 and U.S. Highway 27, which makes the courthouse easy to reach by car from any part of the county. Perry has the largest population center in Taylor County, with most of the county’s businesses, schools, and government offices.
Steinhatchee and Smaller Communities
Steinhatchee sits on the Gulf Coast and is a popular spot for fishing and small weddings. Salem, Shady Grove, and other small communities dot the rest of the county. Couples from these areas still need to drive to Perry to apply for a marriage license. The drive from Steinhatchee to Perry takes about 45 minutes by car, so plan ahead when scheduling your visit.
Marriage License Options in Nearby Counties
A Florida marriage license is valid in any county once the clerk issues it. Some couples choose to apply in a nearby county if the Taylor County office has long lines or if the schedule is more convenient. The same state rules apply in every Florida county, yet office hours and fees may differ slightly in rare cases.
Adjacent Florida Counties
Taylor County borders several other counties in north central Florida. Each has its own clerk of court office that issues marriage licenses. You can apply wherever fits your schedule best, yet the license will be valid for a wedding anywhere in Florida.
| County | County Seat | Direction from Perry |
|---|---|---|
| Madison County | Madison | East |
| Lafayette County | Mayo | Southeast |
| Dixie County | Cross City | South |
| Jefferson County | Monticello | Northwest |
Office Hours and Key Details
The Taylor County Clerk of the Circuit Court keeps regular business hours on weekdays. Plan your visit during open hours and bring all required papers. Calling ahead saves time and lets the clerk staff answer any questions about your specific situation before you make the trip to Perry.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Taylor County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
| Address | 108 N. Jefferson Street, Perry, FL 32347 |
| Phone | (850) 838-3506 |
| Website | taylorclerk.com |
| Weekday Hours | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed for lunch varies) |
| Saturday Hours | Closed |
| Sunday Hours | Closed |
| License Fee | $86 standard / $61 with premarital course |
| License Validity | 60 days from issue date |
| Waiting Period | 3 days for Florida residents (waived with course) |
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common points that come up for people who need a marriage license in Taylor County, Florida. Each answer uses the latest state rules and clerk office practices as of August 2026. Call the clerk’s office at (850) 838-3506 for case-specific advice or recent changes to hours, fees, or document rules. The clerk staff can confirm what you need to bring and how long your visit will take.
Can I apply for a Taylor County marriage license by mail?
No. Florida law requires both people to show up in person at the clerk’s office to apply for a marriage license. The clerk must verify each person’s ID, take the sworn statement, and witness the signatures. You cannot send someone else to apply on your behalf. If one person cannot travel, you can apply at a different Florida county clerk’s office that is closer to where you both live or work.
How long does it take to get a certified copy of a marriage certificate?
After the ceremony, the signed license goes back to the Taylor County Clerk. The clerk files the record and sends a copy to the Florida Department of Health. The state filing takes about 60 days. You can order a certified copy from the Taylor County Clerk as soon as the clerk finishes filing the local record. State-level processing for computer-generated certificates takes 3 to 5 business days, not counting shipping.
Do I need a birth certificate to get a marriage license in Taylor County?
No. A birth certificate is not on the list of required papers in Florida. A photo ID like a driver’s license, state ID, or passport is the main ID. You also need your Social Security number for the application, yet the actual card is not required. If you were born outside the United States, bring a passport or other proof of citizenship or legal status instead of a birth certificate.
Can I get married the same day I apply for the license?
Only if you are not a Florida resident, or you have completed a 4-hour premarital course from a state-approved provider. Florida residents face a three-day waiting period after the license is issued. The wait starts the day after the issue date. With a valid premarital course certificate, the clerk will issue the license with no waiting period and you can marry the same day.
Where can I search for old Taylor County marriage records from the 1800s?
Florida did not start statewide marriage recording until June 6, 1927. Records before that date are kept only at the county level, if a record was filed. The Taylor County Clerk of the Circuit Court has the local indexes and can search them for you. Church records, family Bibles, and local newspapers are also good sources for early Taylor County marriages.
Is the Taylor County marriage license valid for a wedding in another state?
No. A Florida marriage license is valid only for ceremonies held inside the state of Florida. If you plan to marry in another state, you must apply for a license in that state. Florida will not record a marriage that took place outside its borders. The officiant, the venue, and the license must all line up with the rules of the state where the ceremony takes place.
What payment methods does the Taylor County Clerk accept?
The clerk accepts cash, money orders, and most major debit or credit cards. Some card payments carry a small processing fee charged by the payment vendor, so ask about that before you pay. Personal checks are not always accepted for marriage license fees. Bring a second form of payment as a backup so you do not have to make a second trip if your first choice is not accepted.