Marriage Licenses

The couple must complete the online marriage license pre-application before visiting our office, which is open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm excluding legal holidays. To expedite the process, schedule an application appointment. We accept walk-ins; however, you may experience longer wait times. 

Both applicants must be present when obtaining the marriage license, and each must present one of the following original, valid forms of identification with the correct legal name, date of birth, and signature:

·         Driver’s license issued in the United States

·         Federal or state identification card

·         Passport

·         U.S. Military identification card

·         Alien registration card

·         Naturalization certificate

If either applicant has been previously married, they must provide the exact date of the most recent divorce, death, or annulment. If the divorce occurred in Miami-Dade County, go to the  Family Online Case Search and view the docket link for the divorce final judgment date.

All U.S. citizens must provide their Social Security number (per FL Statute 741.04(3). Non-U.S. citizens may provide an alien registration card, a U.S. driver's license or identification card, or a passport number if a Social Security number has not been issued.

The Family Law Handbook must be read prior to obtaining the marriage license (per FL Statute 741.04(4)(b). It is also available for review at the Central Marriage License Bureau and at any of the six District Court locations. 

All of the following documents are required and must be presented when one or both applicants are 17 years old:

•           Both parents or the legal guardian must be present with a valid photo identification. The exceptions are if the parents are divorced and one parent has full custody of the minor, or if there is a death certificate of the deceased parent. In that case, you must present a certified copy of the custody court order, and only the custodial parent's consent is required.
•        Original birth certificate of the minor showing parent's name.
•        Parental consent forms.
•        A person at least 17 years of age may marry only if the other party is no more than 2 years older.

All underage applications are processed at the Central Marriage License Bureau.

MINORS UNDER 17 YEARS OLD

Per Florida Statute 741.04, we are prohibited from issuing a marriage license to any person under 17 years of age.

The statutory three-day waiting period mandated by Florida Statute 741.04(5) for Florida residents may be waived if the couple completes a premarital course (minimum 4 hours) from a Miami-Dade registered provider and presents a certificate of completion when applying for a marriage license. You must complete the course no more than one year before applying for a marriage license. Additionally, the license will be discounted to $61.00. Non-Florida residents have no waiting period.

An Online Premarital Course Provider Directory is available to assist you in locating a registered premarital course provider.

Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller Deputy Clerks are authorized to perform marriage ceremonies and are available by appointment at the Central Marriage License Bureau or at any of the six District Court locations during business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm, excluding legal holidays. The marriage ceremony service fee is $30.00. We accept walk-ins; however, you may experience longer wait times. To expedite the process, you may schedule a ceremony appointment.

For out-of-county-issued marriage licenses, we accept walk-ins only for marriage ceremonies. The marriage license must be original and issued in person. Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller will not perform a ceremony with electronically issued marriage licenses.

The marriage ceremony must be performed on or after the effective date, within 60 days of the license's issuance, and before the license expires. After the ceremony, you must return the original marriage license to the Miami-Dade County Central Marriage License Bureau within 10 days if the ceremony was not performed by a deputy clerk. 

 A marriage ceremony must be performed by one of the following: 

• Any ordained minister, elder, clergy, priest, or rabbi
• All judicial officers (judges) of the state of Florida
• Clerks of the Court and Comptroller and their deputies of the state of Florida, while performing their duties
• Public notaries of the state of Florida

After the ceremony, the Miami-Dade County marriage license will be recorded, and the clerk will either mail the marriage certificate or provide it to the couple in person. Additional certified copies cost $9.00 each and are available in person or online through License Search - Clerk of the Court.

• Marriage license - $86
• Marriage application with completion of premarital preparation course - $61
• Duplicate, correction, or amended license - $30
• Ceremony - $30
• Marriage status search and certificate - $9
• Deluxe marriage certificate - $10
• Affirmation of Common Children - $2
• Provider fee - $4
• Certified copy - $7
• Search fee - $2
• Additional certified copy (each) - $7
• Search fee (per year prior to 1972) - $2

Under Florida Statute 741.0305, the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller must maintain a roster of qualified registered premarital preparation course providers.

Each provider must submit to the Central Marriage License Bureau a premarital course provider affidavit that includes the provider's name (e.g., church or business name), telephone number, address, email, website, a list of instructors who provide the course, and a copy of the qualifying credentials for each (e.g., a certificate of ordination or a state business license). The affidavit must also meet the requirements listed below. The Miami-Dade Marriage License Bureau will distribute only registration-related information on the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller website and issue a provider certificate upon registration.

Under Chapter 741.0305(3)(a) of the Florida Statutes, an instructor is qualified to teach the Premarital Preparation Course if he or she meets one of the following criteria:

1. A psychologist licensed under Chapter 490
2. A clinical social worker licensed under Chapter 491
3. A marriage and family therapist licensed under Chapter 491
4. A mental health counselor licensed under Chapter 491
5. An official representative of a religious institution which is recognized under s. 496.404(23), if the representative has relevant training
6. Any other provider designated by a judicial circuit, including, but not limited to, school counselors who are certified to offer such courses.

Each Premarital Preparation Course provider shall furnish each participant or couple who completes the course with a certificate of completion that specifies the participant’s name(s), the date of completion, the minimum four hours, the registered provider’s name (e.g., church or business), the address, the instructor’s name who provided the course, and whether the course was conducted through personal instruction, videotape instruction, instruction via electronic medium, or a combination of these methods.

The premarital preparation course may include instruction regarding:

1. Conflict management
2. Communication skills
3. Financial responsibilities
4. Children and parenting responsibilities
5. Data compiled from available information relating to problems reported by married couples who seek marriage or individual counseling

To be added to the roster, please review the instructions below, then submit the premarital course provider affidavit, supporting credentials, and the $4.00 registration fee to the Central Marriage License Bureau at 601 NW 1^st Court, Room 1900, Miami, FL 33136.

Pursuant to Florida Statute 741.01, the Affirmation of Common Children Born in Florida form allows both parties to the marriage to state, under oath in writing, whether they are the parents of a child born in this state and to identify any such child they have in common by name, date of birth, place of birth, and, if available, birth certificate number. One form is required for each child.