Who can legally marry a couple in Florida?
Asked by: Estevan Ryan V | Last update: August 26, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (35 votes)
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.
Who is allowed to officiate a wedding in Florida?
All regularly ordained ministers of the gospel, elders in communion with a church, or other ordained clergy. A minister who has been recognized in the manner required by the regulations of the respective denomination to perform marriage ceremonies. All Florida judicial officers, including retired judicial officers.
What credentials are needed to marry someone in Florida?
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.
Can a Florida notary marry you?
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.
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.
Getting a Marriage License in Florida: A Step-by-Step Guide to Ensure a Stress-Free Wedding Day
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.
Do I need an officiant to get married?
Some states require a licensed officiant to sign your marriage license, but that doesn't mean you can't exchange vows privately! Don't get hung up on the idea that your legal paperwork and your elopement ceremony have to be done simultaneously.
How much does a notary charge to marry someone 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. The law does not address miscellaneous travel fees for notarial acts.
How can I marry someone in Florida?
Every marriage license is issued by a county court judge or clerk of the circuit court under his or her hand and seal. 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.
How many witnesses do you need to get married in Florida?
Do I need to bring witnesses? Witnesses are not required in the State of Florida.
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 does a wedding officiant cost in Florida?
Wedding officiant fees in Florida can vary based on the officiant's experience, services provided, and location. On average, wedding officiant services can range from $295 to $500 or more. Custom ceremonies and additional services may incur additional costs.
How long after being ordained can you marry someone?
In most states, you can perform marriage as soon as you are ordained. Still, some will require ministers to register with a government office before the ceremony, which means you may have to send away for specific documentation and credentials.
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 an officiant do their own wedding?
Yes, in some jurisdictions. Legal recognition of self-officiated weddings depends on the laws of the state or country where the marriage takes place. For instance, states like Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin in the United States allow self-unions.
Can you get married online in Florida?
Getting married online in Florida has become a streamlined and convenient process. With platforms like Courtly, couples can complete the entire procedure from any location, eliminating the need for in-person visits and reducing paperwork.
Who is authorized to 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.
Can a notary marry a couple in Florida?
Did you know that Florida is one of a few states that allow notaries to perform marriage ceremonies? Florida Statute 741.07 authorized notaries public in the state of Florida to solemnize the rights of matrimonial contract, under the regulations prescribed by law.
What documents do I need to get married in Florida?
- Age - both parties must be at least 18 years of age.
- A valid driver's license, state identification card, or passport (the actual document will need to be presented).
- U.S. citizens must provide their social security number (it is not necessary to bring in the social security card).
What do you need to be an officiant in Florida?
Though there are no officiant registration requirements in Florida, you must be an ordained minister to be able to legally perform marriage.
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.
How to find out if someone is legally ordained?
Clergy can be ordained by a traditional organization, like a Catholic church or rabbinical seminary, or by a non-traditional internet church, like American Marriage Ministries (AMM). All pathways of ordinations are valid. Ask to see your officiant's minister credentials to confirm they've been ordained.
What is it called when you can marry a couple?
In the United States, a marriage officiant is a civil celebrant or civil officer such as a justice of the peace who performs acts of marriage or civil union.
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.