Marriage License

ISSUANCE: 

Applicant must be eighteen (18) years old to obtain a marriage license. Sixteen (16), and Seventeen (17), year olds must have both parent's consent. If you are younger, parent's consent/consent of a County Judge, and proven pregnancy may apply, depending on the age and situation. Both applicants must appear in person at the time of application.

IDENTIFICATION:

Applicant's must provide a valid picture-type ID, with date of birth shown. (Driver's License, passport, student ID Card, Military ID, or Alien Registration Card.) There is no residence or citizenship requirement.

PRIOR MARRIAGES:

If either applicant has been previously married, the exact date of the last death, divorce, or annulment must be provided. You should bring a copy of your divorce decree with you at the time of application.

TIME LIMIT:

The license must be used within sixty (60) days from the "effective date". Below is the effective date criteria:

• If both parties are Florida residents they must both attend a premarital class and present certification of the attendance to the clerk at the time of application. There is no waiting period. If no class is attended, there is a three (3) day waiting period (from the date of issue), before the marriage ceremony may take place. This class must be taken thru an authorized provider listed in Monroe County. Original certificate of completion is required at time of application. List of providers is available upon request.
• If only one of the couples is a Florida resident and the Florida resident takes the course, there is no waiting period.
• If both parties are out of state residents, there is no waiting period.

SOLEMNIZATION:

A marriage may be performed by regularly ordained clergy, judiciary, State of Florida notaries, the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and Deputy Clerks.

COST:

A marriage license cost $93.50. The exception is if both parties are Florida residents, have both provided proof of a premarital class cost is then $61.00.

RECORDING OF LICENSE:

After the marriage, the person who performed the ceremony must return the license, within ten (10) days, to the marriage license section, where it will then be recorded in the Official Records. Until that license is received, there is no record of the marriage. After recordation, a certified copy will be returned to the newlyweds, by mail. The original license is sent to the OFFICE OF VITAL STATISTICS in Jacksonville. 

The process takes approximately 3 weeks.

CLERK'S OFFICE LOCATION AND HOURS:

Key West Courthouse
500 Whitehead Street (corner of Whitehead & Southard, Lester Bldg.)
Key West, FL  33040
305-292-3458
FAX: 305-295-3970
Court of the Circuit Court, Monroe County, FL

Getting Married in Key West

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Smather's Beach