What credentials are needed to marry someone in Florida?

Asked by: Mariam Denesik DDS  |  Last update: February 24, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (37 votes)

The Florida State Government requires anyone who wants to perform a marriage ceremony to be 18 years or over and an ordained minister, including those who decided to get ordained online.

What is required to officiate a wedding in Florida?

Ordained ministers, including those ordained online by organizations such as The Provenance Center, are authorized to solemnize marriages. The law does not specify a residency requirement, so ministers from any state can officiate.

What is needed to get legally married in Florida?

Each party must show a valid driver's license, a valid state identification card, a valid passport or valid military identification. Both parties must provide their Social Security numbers. If either party has been previously married, the party must provide the date his or her last marriage ended.

Can my friend legally officiate my wedding in Florida?

No, only individuals authorized by the state can legally perform wedding ceremonies in Florida. This includes ordained ministers, clergy or elders in communion with a church, Florida judicial officers, Florida Clerks of the Circuit Court, Florida Notary Publics, and members of the Society of Friends or Quakers.

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.

How to get married in Florida

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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.

What are the qualifications for marriage?

One party either Groom or Bride must be a citizen of India. The groom should be of 21 years of age and the bride of 18 years. (As on Marriage Date). Marriage has been solemnized within the territorial jurisdiction of NCT of Delhi.

Does Florida recognize online ordained ministers?

Ordained ministers, including those ordained online, can officiate a wedding in Florida. The couple gets the marriage license. Within 10 days after the marriage the completed license must be returned to the Clerk.

Can a notary marry you in Florida?

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.

How long does it take to get a marriage license in Florida?

Licenses are issued immediately. The process normally takes no more than 30 minutes. However, unless the couple has attended an approved premarital preparation class there is a three-day waiting period before the license is effective and the marriage can take place.

How do I register to marry someone in Florida?

Marriage licenses are issued by counties and you can apply for your license at any county clerk's. Click Here for Clerk of the Court contact information by county. You can get married in any county in Florida, regardless of where you obtained your marriage license.

Can you get married the same day in Florida?

Once issued, Florida residents must wait three days to get married, unless the couple attends a premarital course from this list of registered providers and presents the certificate of completion when applying for their license. There is no waiting period for non-Florida residents.

What makes you legally married in Florida?

You must possess a marriage license to be officially married in Florida. Marriage licenses are issued by the clerk of a circuit or county court judge and are valid for 60 days after the date of issuance.

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.

What does it take to be ordained to marry someone?

In most states in the USA all you need to do is pay the minister fee for performing a marriage at the local county recorders office. Anyone of legal age can perform the ceremony.

Can a family member officiate a wedding in Florida?

The Executive Office of the Governor clarifies this point in the Frequently Asked Questions. In short, although Florida law prohibits you from notarizing the signature of an immediate family member, this prohibition does not apply to performing a marriage ceremony for the immediate family member.

What states can a notary officiate a wedding?

Notaries can perform a wedding ceremony if you live in the states of Florida, Maine, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Montana. If you're not in these six states, notaries cannot legally marry you without taking extra steps.

Do you need a witness to get married in Florida?

Witnesses are not required in the State of Florida. 12. Can I marry a relative?

How hard is it to get ordained in Florida?

Getting Ordained in Florida

Our online ordination process is straightforward, fast, and entirely free. Legally licensed ministers of the ULC perform countless marriages each year. Once you have your minister license in hand, officiating a wedding is right around the bend!

Does an officiant have to be licensed in Florida?

Florida Law determines who can marry you. Whomever you decide to perform the ceremony does not need to register with the Clerk and Comptroller's office. Simply make sure that the person you want to perform your ceremony (your Wedding Officiant) is one of the following.

How to get ordained for free?

Yes - ordination through The Provenance Center is completely free! We are pleased to offer this service at no cost to our officiants. However, please be aware that some states may require additional registration steps beyond ordination.

How is someone legally married?

Marriage is the legal union of two people, who are joined together after they obtain a marriage license from their state and take part in a ceremony.

What qualifies you to be married?

Both parties must intend to marry, must not be currently married to anyone else, and must be able to understand their actions. Both parties must be at least 18 years old, unless specific requirements for minors are met.

What is required to marry someone in Florida?

A couple wishing to be married in Florida must be prepared to provide their Social Security numbers or any other available identifications numbers, such as driver license numbers or other photo IDs (passport, military ID), to the Clerk's office to apply for a marriage license.