A Civil Marriage ceremony can be performed in the Family Division after the license is effective for an additional cost of $30.00. Witnesses are not required for a civil marriage ceremony.
- You must both come in to the Family Division together.
- A picture ID is required in order for the clerk to witness your signature.
- Applicants do not have to be Florida residents.
- There is a 3 day waiting period before a marriage ceremony can take place. Exceptions to this rule:
- Date of a divorce or death of previous marriage must be supplied.
- License is valid for 60 days after issuance.
- If under 18 years - please see information below.
- The cost is $93.50.
- The cost is reduced to $61.00 if the applicants have completed marital counseling by a person registered with the Courthouse.
- Blood tests have not been required since this test was abolished in 1986.
- There is no waiting period for Florida residents who have completed a 4 hour marriage preparation course within the last 12 months.
- The waiting period is also waived for non-Florida residents.
Note: NO CAMERAS are allowed in the Courthouse building.
Any questions, please call Family Division.
Under any of the following circumstances a minor may obtain a marriage license:
- Minors, who under oath, swear that they are parents or expectant parents of a child may apply. In addition, the pregnancy must be verified by a written Statement from a licensed physician.
- A previously married minor may also apply.
- A person age 16 or 17 may apply with the consent of either both parents or a guardian, unless the parents are divorced and only one parent has full custody.
Yes, you may use a Florida marriage license in any county in Florida.
The Clerk's Office sells forms for a petition for name change in the Family Division at the main Courthouse. There is a filing fee for name changes. The Clerk's Office cannot give you any legal advice. You are responsible for preparing all necessary pleadings. If you are unable to proceed without assistance, we suggest you contact an Attorney.
Simplified Dissolution of Marriage is a fast, easy and inexpensive procedure for ending a marriage for eligible couples.
To be eligible:
- Both must agree that the marriage cannot be saved.
- Both must agree on how to divide property and debts.
- There must be no minor children of the marriage, and the wife cannot be pregnant.
- At least one of you must have been a resident of Florida for the past six months.
Both parties must come to the Family Division with picture ID's, and fill out a Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage. Forms are available in the Clerk's office. An Attorney is not required, but if either of you has any legal questions, consulting an Attorney prior to filing is advised. The Court will set a date for the Final Hearing at the time of filing.
Please provide four (4) extra copies of your hearing form and two (2) self-addressed stamped envelopes for both Husband and Wife. You both will receive a copy of the Hearing Notice and date by mail. This date will be no sooner than twenty (20) days after the filing. Both parties must appear at the hearing.
The filing fee can be found here. If you do not meet the requirements for a Simplified Dissolution, you may obtain other Divorce information from the Self-Help Coordinator. The Clerk cannot assist you. You may act as your own Attorney and do all your own research, or you may obtain an Attorney.
There is an option called the Deferred Payment Program. Eligibility is based on income and number of dependents.
The Deferred Payment program divides the total fees into six (6) monthly payments. There is a $25.00 application fee due upon filing; this amount is not applied to the total balance.
An Attorney is not required to file for Dissolution of Marriage. However, if there are issues that are not agreed upon or significant issues regarding child custody, child support, alimony, retirement or pension benefits, it would be in your best interest to consult an Attorney.
If you and your spouse decide not to hire an Attorney, you may contact the Self-Help Coordinator for information on the forms required to file for divorce as well as the filing fees and the procedure.
Please note the Self-Help Coordinator is not an Attorney and cannot give you legal advice.
To file for legal separation, you will need to contact an Attorney. There is no paperwork available in the Clerk's office or through the Self-Help Coordinator.
The only way to speak to a Judge outside of Court is through written correspondence.
Note: Anytime a document is submitted into the Court file, a copy must be sent or mailed to the other party.
Frequently Requested Telephone Numbers:
Department of Revenue 800-622-5437
State Disbursement Unit 877-769-0251
Central Florida Community Legal Services 386-328-8361
Self-Help Coordinator 386-329-1911
