Can a notary marry a couple in Florida?
Asked by: Santina Lueilwitz | Last update: July 4, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (51 votes)
Florida is one of only three states (the other two are South Carolina and Maine) who authorize their notaries public to "solemnize the rites of matrimony." §117.045, Florida Statutes.
Can a notary in Florida marry someone?
Florida Notaries are authorized to perform marriage ceremonies. In Florida, unless the Notary is also a clergy member, the Notary-performed marriage is a civil ceremony (FS 117.045 and 741.07[1]).
How much can a notary charge to officiate a wedding in Florida?
As a Florida notary, you may charge up to $10 in notary fees for any notarial act. You may charge $30 to perform a wedding ceremony. Keep in mind, if you charge a higher fee than prescribed by law, the Governor may suspend your commission.
Can a notary marry two people?
For a notary, marriage is not a ceremony that they usually perform. Most states don't allow notary publics to marry couples.
Who can legally marry a couple in Florida?
All judicial officers. Clerks of the circuit court. A notary public of the State of Florida. Ordained ministers or elders in communion with some church.
What States Can A Notary Public Perform Marriages?
How to register as a wedding officiant in Florida?
No Officiant Registration is Required
The Florida State Government has no laws requiring officiant registration or office dedicated to the registration of wedding officiants. Florida does have a law (Florida Statutes § 741.07) that specifies who can solemnize marriage.
What qualifications do you need to marry someone?
Every state has different laws outlining who can be a wedding officiant. In most cases, you need to be an ordained or invested member of a religious group where you already perform weddings, or you need to be a public official, such as a judge.
Can a notary notarize for a boyfriend?
“In California, a notary public is not prohibited from notarizing for relatives or others, unless doing so would provide a direct financial or beneficial interest to the notary public. With California's community property law, care should be exercised if notarizing for a spouse or a domestic partner.”
Can you get married without an officiant?
While self-solemnization is not legally recognized in all jurisdictions, certain locations, such as Colorado, California, and Illinois, allow couples to legally marry themselves without the need for an officiant.
Can I notarize for a family member in Florida?
No. By law, you cannot notarize for a parent, spouse, or child. Because a Florida Notary Public should be an impartial witness, we recommend you do not notarize for any family member.
What states can a notary officiate a wedding?
Officiating weddings is something that few states allow notaries to do. Until recently, only four states (Florida, Nevada, Maine and South Carolina) listed performing marriages among the potential duties of its commissioned notaries. Tennessee and Montana added their names to this relatively short list in 2021.
Can you make money as a wedding officiant?
You can always conduct a wedding ceremony – anyone can. But the only way you can charge the big fees and make a living is if you are registered with the government to legalize the ceremony and sign the marriage license. You're the “official.” Hence, “officiant.”
Can I officiate my daughter's wedding?
Can You Officiate Your Loved Ones' Wedding? Yes, anyone can officiate a wedding ceremony for their loved one—or for anyone for that matter.
Can I notarize for my girlfriend in Florida?
Florida law states that a notary may not notarize for a spouse, child or parent. Although notarizing for any extended family member is not prohibited, you may risk the legitimacy of the document. It is not recommended to notarize a document for any relative.
How long does it take to become a notary in Florida?
It can take two to four weeks to become commissioned as a Notary Public depending on your availability and the time the Department of State needs to process your application.
Can you get married without going to court?
Both you and your partner must go to the Office of the Clerk and Registrar to apply for your marriage license in a state that has legalized self solemnization. Present all the information necessary including: date of marriage, documentation if you're divorced or widowed, valid US ID, social security number, etc.
What is eloping marriage?
Eloping means that you forego a formal wedding and instead, choose to elope for the ceremony. It doesn't necessarily mean that you secretly run away with your partner without telling anyone. This is the notion some people still have when they hear about elopements.
Can I officiate my own wedding in Florida?
You cannot solemnize your own marriage any more than you can notarize your own signature. Go before a notary public and get the paperwork out of the way, then have your own ceremony with whatever vows and officiating you desire.
Can a spouse witness a signature?
Legislation does not prohibit a signatory's spouse, co-habitee or civil partner from acting as a witness and it is also generally acceptable for an employee of a party to witness that party's signature.
Can a notary notarize for themselves?
Notaries cannot notarize their own documents because notaries are required by law to serve as independent and impartial witnesses to a signing. If the notary has any connection to the document they are signing, it is impossible for them to remain an objective third party witnessing the signing.
How much does the UPS store charge for notary?
For example, here in California, our UPS store charges $15 per notary signature. Where as other states are lower, sometimes even under $10. However if the notary has to come you or travel for any reason to do the job, the notary can charge whatever traveling fee they would like to on top of the charge per signature.
What are the four requirements to be legally married in the US?
That criteria includes: age, mental capacity, single (not currently married), and not closely related to your future spouse. In most states, the legal age to be married is 18 years old. Usually an individual who is at least 16 years old, however, may get married with parental consent.
How much does an officiant cost?
While a wedding officiant cost can vary depending on where you are in the country, along with a number of other factors, the average cost in the U.S. is $300 with most couples spending between $200 to $450.
How long does it take to get ordained in Florida?
Ordinations for Florida are completely free and can normally be completed in less than a day.