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Marriage Licenses

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1. Who may apply for a marriage license?

• Both parties must be at least 18 years of age.
• Florida law exception: if the person is at least 17, has parental consent, and the older party to the marriage is not more than 2 years older than the younger party to the marriage.

2. Where consent is required, is consent of both parents required?

Yes, unless the parents are divorced and the custody and control are placed in one parent, then only the parent having such custody and control shall be required to give the written consent. All written consents must be acknowledged (notarized). If the parents have been granted shared parental responsibility, both parents must sign.

3. Is there a waiting period for issuance of the license?

Yes. There is a three day waiting period if either of the parties to the marriage is residents of Florida. This waiting period will be waived if both parties provide proof of having received premarital counseling from a provider who has been approved by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Polk County. View the premarital course provider directory for approved providers. Couples who provide proof of having completed premarital counseling may obtain a marriage license and be married the same day.

4. Who are the approved providers of the marriage class in Polk County?

Check the premarital course providers directory.

5. Are blood tests and physical exams required?

No. The law requiring these tests was abolished on October 1, 1986.

6. Are there any other requirements?

• Yes, the law requires applicants to have read the Marriage Handbook and affirm that they have read it when applying for a marriage license. If either party has been married previously and is no longer married because of divorce or death of the spouse, you will need to provide the date (month/date/year) the divorce was granted or the spouse passed away in order to complete the marriage license application.
• Both applicants must appear with valid I.D. Acceptable proof of identification: 
  • Citizenship Certificate
  • Driver’s License
  • Florida State I.D. Card
  • Military Identification Card
  • Naturalization Certificate
  • Passport (picture on passport needs to look like the person)
  • Resident Alien Card
  • Visa
• You will need to know your Social Security Number.

7. Must I apply for a marriage license in the county where I live?

No, a marriage license may be applied for and solemnized in any Florida county.

8. Where can I apply for a marriage license in Polk County?

A marriage license may be obtained Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm at the Marriage Division of the Clerk of Circuit Court’s Office on the first floor of the Polk County Courthouse in Bartow. Licenses also may be obtained at the Lakeland and Northeast branch Courthouses.

9. How long is a marriage license valid once it is issued?

The marriage must be solemnized within 60 days of issuance of the Marriage License. The ceremony can be performed anywhere in the State of Florida.

10. Who may perform marriage ceremonies?

• All judicial officers (Judges) of the State of Florida
• Clerks of Circuit Court and their deputies of the State of Florida
• Elders in communion with some churches
• Notaries Public of the State of Florida
• A regularly ordained minister or other ordained clergy
• In addition, the law provides that marriages may be performed among "Quakers" or "Friends", in the manner and form used or practiced in their societies

11. Who is a "regularly ordained minister"?

He/she is a minister who has been recognized in the manner required by the regulations of the respective denomination to perform marriage ceremonies.

12. May a marriage be solemnized without a license?

No, Section 741.08 F.S. states that the party solemnizing the marriage shall require a properly issued license before performing the ceremony.

13. When and who should return the license to the clerk?

A marriage cannot be officially recorded until the license is returned to the Clerk. It should be returned within 10 days after the wedding. The party who performed the marriage is responsible for returning the completed license.

14. Can I be married in the clerk's office?

Yes. Deputy Clerks are authorized and available during normal working hours to perform marriage ceremonies. The fee for this service is determined by Florida Statute and is available on the Fees page.

15. What is the fee for a marriage license?

The fee for a marriage license is listed in the service fee schedule.

16. Can I pay for a marriage license with a personal check?

No, payment for marriage licenses must be made by cash or credit card.

17. How does the online marriage application service work?

This online service enables customers to begin the process of applying for their marriage license, saving them time when visiting the Clerk’s office. Once the online application is submitted, the applicants will need to appear in person to complete the process. The information will be pending with the Clerk’s office until such time. After 90 days, the applicants’ information will expire from the system if no license is issued and the application process will need to start again. Visit our contact page to find the nearest location.

18. Who can use the online marriage application?

Any applicants who meet the requirements under Florida Law may use the online marriage application to begin the process.  For non-US citizens, the Social Security Number field must be filled out with the proof of identification number.  For example, if using a passport as proof of identification, enter the passport number into the Social Security Number field.

19. Why is the online marriage application requiring a social security number?

The collection of social security numbers is required per Florida Statute 741.04.  The applicant’s information is securely reported to the Bureau of Vital Statistics.

20. What happens after the online marriage application is submitted?

Once the applicants submit the application, a confirmation number will be provided.  Both applicants will need to appear in person within 90 days to complete the process.  Bring the valid ID entered in the application and the confirmation number to any of our three locations.  Before arriving, both applicants must read the Marriage Handbook located on the Clerk’s website.