Union County marriage license records are kept at the Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court in Lake Butler, Florida. This office handles all new marriage license applications, files the signed licenses after the ceremony, and sends certified copies to the state. Anyone living in Union County, whether in Lake Butler, Raiford, or Worthington Springs, must go to this single office on West Main Street for marriage license services.
Union County Clerk Office for Marriage Licenses
The Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court is the only office in the county that issues marriage licenses. The office sits at 55 West Main Street in Lake Butler, Florida. Both people applying for the license must go there in person together. This is the same rule across all Florida counties.
Office Location and Contact
The clerk’s office sits inside the Union County Courthouse in Lake Butler. You can call the office at (386) 496-3711 before you visit. The office also has a website at unionclerk.com where you can check hours and updates. Smaller county offices sometimes have limited walk-in hours, so calling first is a smart step.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
| Address | 55 W. Main Street, Lake Butler, FL 32054 |
| Phone | (386) 496-3711 |
| Website | unionclerk.com |
| County Seat | Lake Butler |
| Judicial Circuit | 8th Circuit |
Role of the Clerk
Under Florida Statute 741.01, only the clerk of the circuit court can issue a marriage license in Florida. The Union County Clerk belongs to the 8th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also includes Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, and Levy counties. You do not have to apply in your home county. Any Florida county clerk can issue your license, and it stays valid across the whole state.
How to Apply for a Marriage License in Union County
You and the person you plan to marry must both go to the Union County clerk’s office in person. You need a valid photo ID. A driver’s license, state ID card, or passport all work. You also need to write your Social Security number on the application form. You do not need to bring the actual Social Security card.
Age Rules and Consent
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old under Florida Statute 741.04. A 17-year-old can apply with written permission from both parents, as long as the other applicant is no more than two years older. If either person was married before, the clerk needs to know the date the prior marriage ended, how it ended, and where the divorce took place. Without this data, your application cannot move forward.
Documents to Bring
The clerk will ask for proof of identity. A driver’s license or passport works for most people. The clerk also asks for Social Security numbers on the application form. If you were married before, bring the final divorce decree, death certificate, or annulment papers. The Florida Bar’s Family Law Handbook is required reading before the clerk issues your license. You do not need a blood test in Florida.
- Valid photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport)
- Social Security number for each applicant
- Final divorce decree, death certificate, or annulment papers if previously married
- Review of the Florida Bar Family Law Handbook
- Payment for the license fee
Family Law Handbook Requirement
The clerk will ask if you have read the Florida Bar’s Family Law Handbook before issuing your license. This handbook covers basic rights and duties under Florida family law. Reading it is required, but no test or quiz follows. You can review it online at the Florida Bar website or pick up a copy at the clerk’s office.
Marriage License Fees in Union County
The fee for a marriage license in Union County is $86. This is the standard fee set by Florida law and applies in every county. If both applicants complete a four-hour premarital preparation course, the fee drops to $61. Part of the fee funds the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Another part goes to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund.
Discount for Premarital Course
Florida Statute 741.0305 allows a $25 discount on the license fee when both people finish a premarital course. You must bring the original completion certificates to the clerk. The clerk keeps the certificates on file. The course covers topics like communication, conflict, money matters, and parenting duties. Both people can take the course together or at separate times.
Certified Copies of Marriage Records
Certified copies of a recorded marriage license cost about $3 each from the Union County Clerk. You can request copies in person or by mail. Call the office at (386) 496-3711 to ask about accepted payment methods. Cash is always accepted. Some clerks charge a small extra fee for credit or debit card payments.
Marriage License Waiting Period in Union County
Florida residents who apply for a marriage license in Union County must wait three days before the license becomes valid. The three-day count starts the day after you apply. You cannot hold the ceremony before the wait ends. This rule comes from state law and applies in every Florida county.
How to Skip the Wait
You can skip the three-day wait by completing a four-hour premarital course. Bring your completion certificate to the Union County clerk when you apply. The license becomes valid right away. You also save $25 on the license fee. Ask the clerk for a list of approved course providers in the area.
Out-of-State Residents
People who live outside Florida do not face a waiting period at all. If only one applicant lives in Florida, the three-day wait may still apply. The Union County clerk can explain the exact rule for your situation when you apply. Bring proof of your home state address, such as a driver’s license from another state.
After the Wedding in Union County
The signed marriage license goes back to the Union County Clerk after the ceremony. Under Florida Statute 741.041, the license stays valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. If the ceremony does not happen within that window, you must apply again and pay the fee once more. The person who performs the wedding usually returns the signed license to the clerk.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
Under Florida Statute 741.07, ordained ministers, judges, notaries public, and clerks of the circuit court can perform a wedding in Union County. The officiant must sign the marriage license after the ceremony. The couple and two witnesses must also sign the license. The officiant returns the signed license to the clerk for recording.
State Filing and Recording
The clerk records the marriage license in the official county records. A copy goes to the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. State-level filing takes about 60 days after the ceremony. Once filed at the state level, the marriage becomes part of Florida’s official vital records system.
Get Copies of Union County Marriage Records
The Union County Clerk keeps recorded marriage licenses on file at the courthouse in Lake Butler. You can get copies in person, by mail, or through online portals. The MyFloridaCounty official records portal lets you search for filed documents in Union County and across the state online.
Records Available from the State
The Florida Department of Health has marriage records on file for marriages from June 6, 1927 onward. You can use VitalChek to order copies online. The state search fee is $5 for one year and one certified copy. Marriages before 1927 are only on file at the county clerk where the license was first issued. Older records may also be at the State Archives.
Records Before 1927
Marriage records from before June 6, 1927 are not held by the Florida Department of Health. These older records stay at the county clerk’s office where the license was issued. For Union County, that means the Lake Butler office. You can also check the New Jersey State Archives, which holds colonial marriage bonds and early Florida marriage records at the state level.
Online Marriage Records Search Tools
Several online tools help you search Florida marriage records. The MyFloridaCounty portal covers official records for all counties, including Union County. VitalChek is the official vendor for Florida vital records. You can also check the Florida Department of Health website for ordering certified copies and learning about record availability.
MyFloridaCounty Official Records Portal
The MyFloridaCounty portal at myfloridacounty.com lets you search recorded documents across Florida counties. You can search by name, document type, or recording date. The site shows official index data from the county clerk. For certified copies, you still need to order them from the clerk’s office or through VitalChek.
VitalChek for State Records
VitalChek is the only official vendor for Florida Department of Health vital records. You can order marriage certificates online at vitalchek.com. The site accepts major credit cards. You will need to provide the full names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and the county where the license was issued. Processing times vary based on the year of the record.
Cities and Communities in Union County
Union County is home to Lake Butler, Raiford, and Worthington Springs. None of these communities have their own city clerk for marriage licenses. Every resident of Union County goes to the same clerk’s office at 55 West Main Street in Lake Butler for marriage license services and records.
Lake Butler
Lake Butler is the county seat of Union County. It sits in the north-central part of Florida. The Union County Courthouse is located here, along with the clerk’s office that handles marriage licenses. Most residents of Union County live in or near Lake Butler.
Raiford and Worthington Springs
Raiford is a small town in Union County known for the Florida State Prison. Worthington Springs is a small community in the western part of the county. Both communities rely on the Lake Butler clerk’s office for marriage license needs. No separate marriage license office exists in either town.
Nearby Florida Counties
Several counties border Union County. You can apply for a marriage license at any Florida county clerk’s office. The license stays valid for ceremonies anywhere in Florida. If the Lake Butler office is not easy to reach, you can apply in a neighboring county.
| County | County Seat | Direction from Union County |
|---|---|---|
| Bradford County | Starke | Southeast |
| Baker County | Macclenny | North |
| Columbia County | Lake City | West |
| Alachua County | Gainesville | South |
| Clay County | Green Cove Springs | East |
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are common questions about Union County marriage license records. These answers cover the most asked topics from people planning a wedding, doing genealogy research, or needing official copies of marriage records in Florida.
How much does a marriage license cost in Union County?
The standard marriage license fee in Union County is $86. This fee applies in every Florida county. If both applicants complete a four-hour premarital course, the fee drops to $61. You must bring the original completion certificates to the clerk to get the discount. Part of the fee supports the Domestic Violence Trust Fund, and another part supports the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. Certified copies of recorded marriage licenses cost about $3 each from the clerk’s office.
Is there a waiting period for a marriage license in Union County?
Yes, Florida residents face a three-day wait after applying for a marriage license in Union County. The license becomes valid on the fourth day. You cannot hold the ceremony before the wait ends. You can skip the wait by completing a four-hour premarital course and presenting the certificate. Out-of-state residents do not face any waiting period when applying for a license in Florida.
Can I apply for a Union County marriage license online?
No, both applicants must appear in person at the Union County Clerk’s office in Lake Butler. You cannot complete the full application online. You can review the Florida Bar Family Law Handbook online before your visit. Some clerks allow you to fill out parts of the application ahead of time. Call the office at (386) 496-3711 to ask about current procedures.
How do I get a certified copy of my marriage certificate?
You can order certified copies from the Union County Clerk’s office in Lake Butler, the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics, or through VitalChek online. State records cover marriages from June 6, 1927 onward. Older records are only available from the county clerk where the license was issued. The state search fee is $5 for one year and one certified copy. Additional copies cost extra.
What documents do I need to get married in Union County?
Both applicants need a valid photo ID such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport. You also need to provide Social Security numbers on the application. If you were married before, bring the final divorce decree, death certificate, or annulment papers. The clerk also requires that you read the Florida Bar’s Family Law Handbook before the license is issued. No blood test is needed in Florida.
How long is a marriage license valid in Union County?
A marriage license in Florida is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. The ceremony must take place within that window. If you do not marry within 60 days, you must apply again and pay the license fee once more. The signed license must be returned to the clerk after the ceremony for recording. The clerk then sends a copy to the Florida Department of Health for state-level filing.
Who can perform a wedding in Union County?
Ordained ministers, judges, notaries public, and clerks of the circuit court can perform a wedding in Union County under Florida Statute 741.07. The officiant must sign the marriage license after the ceremony. The couple and two witnesses must also sign the license. The officiant is responsible for returning the signed license to the clerk’s office for recording.
Official Contact Details
For direct help with Union County marriage license records, contact the clerk’s office below. These details come straight from official sources and apply to marriage license applications, certified copy requests, and recording questions.
Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court
55 W. Main Street
Lake Butler, FL 32054
Phone: (386) 496-3711
Website: unionclerk.com
Office Hours
The Union County Clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday. Standard office hours apply from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., though smaller county offices sometimes close for lunch. Marriage licenses are handled by appointment or during walk-in hours depending on the day. Call ahead at (386) 496-3711 to confirm current hours and appointment availability before your visit.