WHERE CAN I APPLY FOR A MARRIAGE LICENSE?

In Pinellas County a marriage license may be obtained Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at any one of the following offices of the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

RECORDING SERVICES DEPARTMENT
315 Court Street
Clearwater, Florida 33756
Telephone: (727) 464-4876

ST. PETERSBURG BRANCH OFFICE
545 First Avenue, North
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
Telephone: (727) 582-7771

NORTH COUNTY BRANCH OFFICE
29582 U.S. 19 North
Clearwater, Florida 33761
Telephone: (727) 464-8710

SOUTH COUNTY BRANCH OFFICE
1800 66th Street, North
St. Petersburg, Florida 33710
Telephone: (727) 582-7681

CAN I PAY FOR MY MARRIAGE LICENSE WITH A PERSONAL CHECK?

In Pinellas County, personal checks are accepted for a marriage license.

Checks should be made payable to:
KEN BURKE
Clerk of the Circuit Court

For more detailed information see below:

WHAT IS THE LEGAL AGE FOR MARRIAGE IN FLORIDA?

Persons must be least eighteen (18) years of age to apply for a marriage license in the State of Florida.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A MARRIAGE LICENSE?

Both parties of the intended marriage must come into the Clerk's Office. Each party must have a valid photo identification such as a driver's license, state identification card, government or military identification card, or a passport.

A social security number is required to obtain a marriage license. If either party is from a foreign country and not a U.S. citizen, alien registration documentation, or other proof which contains an alien registration number is acceptable to obtain a marriage license.

If either party was previously married and divorced, the date of the divorce will be required. If the date of the divorce was within the thirty days prior to the new application for a marriage license, a certified copy of the recorded final order will be required.

IS THERE A REQUIRED WAITING PERIOD?

There is a three day waiting period for Florida residents.  However, Florida residents who have satisfied the Premarital Preparation Course requirements and who file the required affidavit and certificate of course completion with the Clerk of the Circuit Court when applying for a marriage license will be issued a marriage license effective the same day.

Non-Florida residents and individuals granted hardship status will not experience a delay in the effective date of a marriage license.

Florida residents who do not or cannot submit valid certificates of completion of a Premarital Preparation Course will be issued a license which has a delayed effective date of three days.

WHAT IS A PREMARITAL PREPARATION COURSE?

A Premarital Preparation Course, required by Florida Statutes, is a course provided by a qualified instructor registered with the Clerk of the Circuit Court consisting of not less than 4 hours. The course may include instruction regarding conflict management, communication skills, financial responsibilities, children and parenting responsibilities on actual case data compiled from information reported by married couples who seek counseling. The course may be provided by personal instruction, videotape instruction, instructions via other electronic medium or a combination of these methods.

 WHERE CAN I OBTAIN A LIST OF PREMARITAL PREPARATION COURSES?

Effective January 1, 1999, a man and woman who are Florida residents must file with the Clerk of the Circuit Court a sworn affidavit, in writing, signed by both parties to the marriage, providing the social security numbers of each party and reciting the true and correct ages of each party. Additionally, a written statement signed by both parties must be provided to the Clerk which specifies whether the parties, separately or together, have completed a premarital preparation course and have read or been made aware of the rights and responsibilities of parties to a marriage as outlined in the Family Law Handbook as specified in Section 741.0306 Florida Statutes. A valid certificate of completion for both parties from the Premarital Preparation Course provider must also be filed with the application for a marriage license. Exceptions to this requirement apply to non-Florida residents and individuals asserting hardships.

Premarital Preparation Course providers must register with the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Providers must be qualified instructors such as a licensed psychologist, a licensed clinical social worker, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed mental health counselor, an official representative of a religious institution with relevant training or any provider designated by the judicial circuit. A roster is available in any Clerk's Office issuing marriage licenses.

ARE THERE OTHER BENEFITS TO COMPLETING A PREMARITAL PREPARATION COURSE?

Florida residents who complete a Premarital Preparation Course will benefit from a reduction in the marriage license fee. The course must have been taken no more than one year prior to the date of the application for a marriage license.

WHAT IS THE COST OF A MARRIAGE LICENSE?

Fees for marriage licenses are set by Florida Statutes and are subject to change as a result of legislative action.  Contact a Clerk's Office for the latest information.

Fees for a marriage license for Florida residents are reduced if the parties have completed and provided proof of completion of a Premarital Preparation Course.

CAN I BE MARRIED IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE?

Deputy Clerks are authorized and available during normal working hours to perform marriage ceremonies. The fee for this service is set by Florida Statute and is subject to change as a result of legislative action. Refer to a current "Schedule of Service Charges", available in any Clerk's Office, as well as online, for the applicable fee.