In Florida, the Clerk of the Circuit Court is the issuing agent for marriage licenses.
Any couple, if one or both parties is a Florida resident, may either take a 4-hour premarital preparation course or wait three (3) days before the marriage license goes into effect. To receive a waiver of the three-day waiting period, a premarital preparation course must be completed within one year prior to obtaining a marriage license. A valid certificate of completion must be presented to the Clerk's Office. Taking the premarital preparation course also lowers the standard fee.
Additionally, the couple must read and sign a statement that they have read the Family Law Handbook.
If all of the course requirements are met on the day of application, the marriage license will be issued and also be effective the same day. If the course requirements are not met on the date when applying in person, the marriage license will be issued by the clerk but will not be effective until three (3) days from the issue date. The expiration date will be sixty (60) days from the effective date and will appear on the license.
Notice: Florida Law Update FS 741.01
If you have a common child who was born in the State of Florida - there is an additional form that will be submitted to the Florida Department of Health . This will not be recorded and will be submitted along with your Marriage License once returned to our office. There is an additional fee of $2.00.
Any male or female 18 years of age or older.
Applicants 17 years of age with specific requirements may apply to be married if the older party to the marriage is not more than 2 years older than the younger party to the marriage. In addition, the application to marry must be approved by the Court.
Both applicants need to be present when applying for a marriage license. Depending on which category applies to you, you will need to bring the following information:
Applicants 18 years of age or older:
Valid government photo identification that shows the applicant's date of birth (driver's license, state ID, military ID, or passport)
You must know your Social Security Number or any other identification number for each person, if applicable.
If previously married, you must provide the day, month, and year the previous marriage ended.
Your signature will be required on the application.
Applicants 17 years of age must present EACH of the following:
Valid government photo identification that shows the applicant's date of birth (driver's license, state ID, military ID, or passport)
You must know your Social Security Number or any other identification number for each person, if applicable.
Certified copy of your birth certificate showing both parents' names.
Notarized consent form of both parents or consent of one parent in the case of divorce if the custodial parent has the authority to grant permission for the non-custodial parent. (This consent must be accompanied with a certified copy of the Court Order granting sole parental responsibility of the minor applicant to the custodial parent). If one or both parents of a minor are deceased, a certified copy of the death certificate is required.
For Affirmation of Common Child(ren) born in Florida - You must attest and provide:
Child/s name as appears on Birth Certificate and date of birth
Birth Certificate number
Place of Birth/City and County in Florida
| 1) Marriage license Application (includes Certified Copy, Clerk and State Fees) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Description | Amount | |
| 1 | If no course is taken | $86.00 |
| 2 | If the course is taken | $61.00 |
| 3 | Performing Ceremony at the Clerk's Office | $30.00 |
| 4 | Amended Marriage License (after license has been recorded) | $17.00 |
| 5 | Duplicate Marriage License (Before license has been recorded) | $4.00 |
| 6 | “Simply Elegant Wedding” Package (digital photos emailed to couple, one 4 x 6 print to take home, commemorative certificate) | $137.40 |
Physical / Overnight Mail Address
1115 Manatee Avenue West
Bradenton, FL 34205
Regular Mailing Address
P.O. Box 25400
Bradenton, FL 34206
Business Hours:
Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Request copies from court files or documents recorded in Official Records:
clerkscopycenter@manateeclerk.com
Submit Traffic school certificates:
traffic@manateeclerk.com
General questions about this site or its content:
servicedesk@manateeclerk.com
Frequently Asked Questions page:
Frequently Asked Questions
Pursuant to Florida Statute 119.12 (2017), the contact information for the Custodian of Public Records is:
Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Attn: Custodian of Public Records
1115 Manatee Avenue West
Bradenton, Florida 34205
Tel. 941-749-1800
Submit a Public Records Request
Designated sensitive information that is contained in any document filed with the Clerk’s Office must be limited as required in Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.425(a), except as provided in Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.425(b). Any person preparing or filing a court document may not include any portion of a social security number or a bank account, debit, credit card, or charge account number. Truncated versions of identification, license, telephone, and account numbers must be used as well as truncated versions of email addresses, user names, passwords, personal identification numbers, and dates of birth. Only initials should be used to identify minors. Please see Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.425 for current requirements for the minimization of sensitive information in court filings.
Any person has a right to request that a Clerk of Court remove an image or copy of a public record, including an official record, form a publicly available internet website if that image or copy is of a military record, death certificate, or a court file, record, or paper relating to matters or cases governed by the Florida Rules of Family Law, the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure, or the Florida Probate Rules. Such request must be made in writing and delivered by mail, facsimile, or electronic transmission, or in person to the Clerk of the Court. The request must identify the document identification page number of the document to be removed. No fee will be charges for the removal of a document pursuant to such request. F.S. 28.2221(5)(c). Any person whose social security number or a bank account, debit, credit card, or charge account number is contained in a court document may request that the Clerk’s Office remove such number. Download the Request for Removal of Private Information Form.