Marriage License

An Orange County FL marriage license is issued through the Orange County Clerk of Courts for couples who plan to marry in Florida. The process includes completing an application, meeting eligibility and identification requirements, appearing together at a Clerk location, paying the required fee, and observing any waiting period that applies. This article explains the application options, documents and personal information to prepare, rules for Florida residents and nonresidents, premarital course requirements, fees, license validity, ceremony options, and what happens after the wedding.

Marriage License Basics

Florida law requires couples who want to marry to apply for a marriage license. In Orange County, the Orange County Clerk of Courts handles the application and issuance process. The Clerk's official marriage license information provides the requirements couples should review before visiting an office.

A marriage license issued in Orange County is valid for 60 days from its date of issuance. It does not have to be used in Orange County. A Florida marriage license obtained in any Florida county can be used for a marriage ceremony anywhere within the state. It cannot be used for a ceremony performed in another state or country.

Couples should distinguish the date the license is issued from the date they are allowed to marry. The Clerk can issue a marriage license the same day it is requested when all requirements are satisfied, but some Florida residents are subject to a three-day waiting period before the marriage can take place. Completing an application online does not start that waiting period.

Application Options

The application is the first part of the Orange County marriage license process. Couples may prepare it electronically before visiting the Clerk or complete a printable version that they bring with them.

Online eMarriage Application

The Clerk's eMarriage application system allows applicants to enter their marriage license information online before appearing at an office. After the application is completed, the system provides a confirmation notice with information about completing the process.

The online application is a preparation step rather than the issuance of the marriage license. Both parties still have to appear together in person at the Clerk's Office and purchase the license. For couples subject to Florida's three-day waiting period, submitting the eMarriage application does not start the three days. The waiting period starts only after the couple appears together and purchases the marriage license.

If an applicant loses the eMarriage confirmation number, the Clerk states that a new application is not necessary. Staff at a listed Clerk location can search for the application using the applicant's last name and date of birth.

Printed Marriage Application

Couples may instead use the official Marriage License Application and bring the completed form to one of the Clerk's four marriage license locations.

The printed application requests information for both applicants, including names, dates and places of birth, current residence information, citizenship status, previous marriage information, and other information required for the marriage license process. It also asks whether the applicants have children together and, if so, whether those children were born in Florida.

The form contains statements concerning the Family Law Handbook and a premarital preparation course. Applicants should provide accurate information rather than guessing at dates or details, particularly when reporting how and when a previous marriage ended.

Eligibility and Age Rules

Applicants age 18 or older may apply for a marriage license under the requirements described by the Orange County Clerk of Courts.

An applicant who is 17 may apply with parental or guardian consent, but additional restrictions apply. The older party cannot be more than two years older than the younger party, and a written and signed affidavit must be filed in compliance with Florida Statute 741.04.

For a minor applicant, both parents must provide consent unless the parents are divorced and custody and control of the child have been placed with one parent. Written consent forms must be notarized. When a divorced parent is relying on sole custody to provide the required consent, that parent must present a certified copy of the divorce papers showing full legal custody.

Documents and Personal Information

Preparing the required information before visiting the Clerk can prevent an incomplete application. Both parties should review the requirements because the marriage license cannot be completed through an online submission alone.

Identification and Social Security Numbers

Each applicant must provide acceptable identification. The Clerk lists the following forms:

Valid driver's license
State identification card
Passport
Military identification

The Clerk's appointment information specifies that applicants must produce valid, non-expired government-issued photo identification. Without the required identification, the marriage service cannot be completed.

U.S. residents must also provide their Social Security number. The number is part of the application requirements, but applicants should not send Social Security numbers through the Clerk's online contact portal.

Previous Marriages

An applicant who has been married before must provide the date the most recent marriage ended. The printed application also asks applicants to indicate whether the previous marriage ended by divorce, annulment, or death.

Because the Clerk specifically requests the date the last marriage ended, applicants should have that date available before completing the form or visiting an office. Supplying incomplete or incorrect previous-marriage information can require a correction when the couple appears in person.

Children Born in Florida

If the applicants have children together who were born in Florida, they must complete the Affirmation of Children Born in Florida form. The marriage license application itself also asks whether the parties have children together and whether those children were born in Florida.

Family Law Handbook

Florida law requires couples to read the Family Law Handbook before applying for a marriage license. Applicants must sign a statement acknowledging that they have read or otherwise accessed the required information. The Clerk makes the handbook available in English and Spanish through its marriage license process.

The acknowledgment is also incorporated into the online application. Applicants should complete this requirement before their in-person visit rather than treating the eMarriage application as the only preparation needed.

In-Person Completion Process

Regardless of whether a couple begins with the online eMarriage system or a printed application, both parties must appear together in person to complete the marriage license process. Orange County provides marriage license services at the Orange County Courthouse and Clerk branches in Apopka, Ocoee, and Winter Park.

The in-person step is significant because it is when the Clerk reviews the application process, the couple provides required identification, and the marriage license is purchased. It is also the point that starts the three-day waiting period when the waiting period applies.

Correcting Application Information

An error made in an online application does not necessarily require starting over. According to the Clerk's marriage license questions and answers, applicants who notice incorrect information after submitting the application should inform the clerk when both parties come to the office to complete the marriage license process. Staff can address the information that needs to be updated at that stage.

This makes it useful to review names, dates of birth, previous marriage dates, residence information, and other application entries before the in-person visit so errors can be identified before the license is issued.

Waiting Period Rules

The waiting period is one of the most commonly misunderstood parts of the Orange County FL marriage license process. A license may be issued on the day the couple applies in person while a separate rule determines when the marriage ceremony may occur.

Florida Resident Waiting Period

Couples who live in Florida are subject to a three-day waiting period to be married when they do not provide proof that they completed a qualifying premarital preparation course.

The three days do not begin when an applicant starts or submits the eMarriage application. They begin only after the couple appears together at the Clerk's Office and purchases the marriage license in person. Couples planning a ceremony around a specific date should account for this distinction when deciding when to visit the Clerk.

Premarital Course Exception

Florida couples who want to avoid the three-day waiting period may provide a certificate or printed letter showing completion of a premarital preparation course. The course must have been completed within one year before applying for the marriage license.

The proof of completion must identify:

The name of the course provider

The name of the participant or participants

The date the course was completed

Whether instruction was conducted personally, by videotape, through another electronic medium, or through a combination of methods

The Clerk describes qualified premarital preparation course providers as including certain licensed psychologists, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, qualifying representatives of religious institutions, and other providers designated by a judicial circuit.

Nonresident Couples

There is no three-day waiting period for non-Florida residents. The Clerk specifically states that when both parties are not Florida residents and want to marry in Orange County, they may come to the office, purchase the marriage license, and marry the same day if the applicable requirements have been satisfied.

Nonresidents may also purchase the license and hold their ceremony later. The ceremony must take place within the 60-day validity period and within Florida.

For non-U.S. residents traveling to Orange County for a marriage license, a valid passport is an accepted form of identification. Both parties must still be present to apply. The Clerk states that the three-day waiting period and premarital preparation course are not required for these applicants.

Hardship Waiver Requests

A couple claiming hardship may petition a judge to waive the three-day waiting period. This option is available at the downtown courthouse location only and is handled when the couple applies for the marriage license in person.

Fees and Payment Methods

The Orange County marriage license fee is $86. Couples who provide qualifying proof that they completed a premarital preparation course may receive the reduced marriage license fee of $61.

The Clerk accepts these payment methods for marriage license services:

Cash
Money order
Cashier's check payable to the Orange County Clerk of Courts
MasterCard
Visa
Discover
American Express

A $3.50 surcharge is added to credit card transactions. The printed marriage license application states that personal checks are not accepted and that there are no refunds.

Couples using a premarital course to qualify for the reduced license fee should bring the required proof of completion rather than assuming completion alone will be sufficient.

License Validity and Ceremony Timing

Once issued, an Orange County marriage license is valid for 60 days. The ceremony may be performed anywhere in Florida during that period. The license does not have to be used in the county where it was issued, so an Orange County license can be used for a ceremony elsewhere in the state.

The opposite limitation also matters: a Florida marriage license cannot be used for a ceremony in another state or country. Couples planning a destination ceremony outside Florida should not assume that an Orange County license will apply there.

The 60-day period should also be distinguished from the waiting period. The waiting period controls how soon certain Florida residents may marry after purchasing the license, while the 60-day validity period determines how long the issued license remains available for use.

Clerk Marriage Ceremonies

Orange County deputy clerks are authorized to perform marriage ceremonies. The Clerk offers ceremonies Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Orange County Courthouse and the Apopka, Ocoee, and Winter Park branches.

The ceremony fee is $30. The same listed payment methods are accepted for ceremony fees, and credit card transactions carry the $3.50 surcharge.

Florida law also authorizes other specified officials to perform marriage ceremonies. The Clerk lists ordained clergy, elders in communion with a church, Florida judges, Clerks of Court and their deputized employees, and Florida notaries public. Couples considering a Clerk ceremony can review the official marriage ceremony information before making plans.

Appointments and Walk-Ins

The Marriage Division provides an appointment system for marriage services. The Clerk currently states that same-day appointments are not accepted, but walk-ins are welcome for couples applying for a marriage license.

Before an appointment, an eMarriage application must be completed and both parties must be prepared to produce valid, non-expired government-issued photo identification. Couples considering an appointment can review the Clerk's marriage services appointment page.

An appointment does not change the waiting-period rule. For couples subject to the three-day waiting period, the period still does not start until they appear at the office and obtain the license.

After the Wedding

The marriage license process continues after the ceremony because the completed license must be returned to the Clerk. Couples should understand who is responsible for returning it and how the filing date can affect where a later copy is obtained.

Returning the Completed License

The completed marriage license should be returned to the Clerk within 10 days after the wedding. According to the Clerk, the person who performed the marriage is responsible for returning the completed license.

The Clerk's information states that a marriage is not considered valid until the license has been returned to the Clerk. Couples using a ceremony official other than a deputy clerk should therefore be aware of the return requirement rather than assuming that obtaining the license before the ceremony completes the entire Clerk process.

Requesting a Marriage License Copy

A person who later needs a copy of an Orange County marriage license may begin with the Clerk's marriage license copy request page. The responsible records office depends in part on when the Orange County marriage license was filed.

Different Filing Date Rules

Copies of Orange County marriage licenses filed before March 1, 1998, and after June 30, 2017, may be purchased from the Orange County Clerk of Courts.

Marriage licenses filed between March 1, 1998, and June 30, 2017, may be obtained from the Orange County Comptroller's Office. Couples and record requesters should pay attention to these date ranges rather than assuming every Orange County marriage record is obtained from the same office.

If a person is unsure where a marriage license was filed, the Clerk directs users to the Florida Department of Health, Division of Vital Statistics.

Common Application Mistakes

Several avoidable problems can interfere with a planned marriage license visit. One of the most significant is assuming that submitting an online application starts the three-day waiting period. It does not. When that waiting period applies, it begins only after both parties appear together and purchase the marriage license.

Another mistake is arriving without both applicants. The Clerk requires both parties to apply together in person, even when the information has already been entered through eMarriage.

Identification should also be checked before leaving for the Clerk's Office. A valid driver's license, state identification card, passport, or military identification is accepted, and the Clerk's appointment guidance specifies that government-issued photo identification must be current rather than expired.

Applicants who have been married previously should know the date their last marriage ended. Couples who have children together born in Florida should be prepared to complete the required affirmation form. U.S. residents should have the Social Security information required by the application.

Florida residents planning a ceremony shortly after obtaining the license should determine whether the three-day waiting period affects them. If they are relying on a premarital preparation course to avoid the waiting period and receive the reduced license fee, they should have the required certificate or printed letter with the provider, participant, completion date, and instruction-method information specified by the Clerk.

Payment preparation also matters. Personal checks are not accepted. Credit card users should account for the $3.50 transaction surcharge, while money orders and cashier's checks must be payable to the Orange County Clerk of Courts.

Finally, applicants should remember the 60-day validity period. Obtaining the license far in advance of a planned ceremony can create a problem if the ceremony will fall outside that period.

Privacy When Contacting the Clerk

The Marriage Division provides an online contact option, but the Clerk warns users to protect sensitive personal information. Social Security numbers, bank information, and credit card information should not be sent through the contact portal.

The Clerk states that it cannot guarantee the security of information or records submitted through the portal. Correspondence, records, or documents sent to the Clerk may also be disclosed under Florida's Public Records Law. Questions that do not require transmitting sensitive financial or identity information can be directed through the official Marriage Division contact page.

Marriage License Offices

Orange County Clerk of Courts – Marriage Division
425 N. Orange Ave., Suite 350
Orlando, FL 32801
407-836-2000

Orange County Clerk of Courts – Apopka Branch
1111 North Rock Springs Rd.
Apopka, FL

Orange County Clerk of Courts – Ocoee Branch
475 Story Rd.
Ocoee, FL

Orange County Clerk of Courts – Winter Park Branch
4037 Metric Drive
Winter Park, FL

Florida Department of Health, Division of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231
904-359-6955

Marriage License FAQs

Who should I notify if my name changes after marriage?

If the marriage results in a legal name or address change, the Orange County Clerk of Courts advises updating the appropriate government records. Its official marriage license FAQs identify the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Social Security Administration, and the local Supervisor of Elections among the agencies that may need updated information. Members of the military reserve may also need to notify their commanding officer. Each agency handles its own records, so obtaining a marriage license does not automatically update a driver's license, Social Security record, voter registration, or military records.

What personal details appear on the marriage license application?

The official Orange County marriage license application requests more than basic identifying information. Each applicant is asked for a maiden name when applicable, place of birth, race, U.S. citizenship status, current city, state and county, and whether the applicant has ever been married. For a previously married applicant, the form also asks how many times the person has been married and whether the most recent marriage ended by divorce, annulment, or death. Reviewing these details beforehand can make the application easier to complete accurately.

Can sensitive information be sent through the Clerk's online contact form?

No. The Clerk specifically warns applicants not to submit Social Security numbers, bank information, or credit card information through its Marriage Division contact portal. The Clerk also explains that it cannot guarantee the security of information or records sent through the portal and that correspondence or documents submitted there may be subject to disclosure under Florida's Public Records Law. Questions can be submitted through the portal, but sensitive identity or financial information should be kept out of the message.