Effective January 1, 1999 the following is required for obtaining a marriage license.
Both parties must appear in the Clerk's Office at the Courthouse, Room 1, and sign the application. If it is not possible for one person to appear in the Clerk's Office, due to hospitalization or incarceration, call (863) 402-6587 to find out the information needed on the application, so that when you apply you can provide the clerk with the necessary information about that person. The application may be taken to the person, to be signed in the presence of a Notary Public. If incarcerated, you must have approval by the correctional institution before applying for the marriage license. Payment is required when applying for the license.
The legal age for marriage without parental consent is eighteen (18) years of age. The legal age for marriage, with parent's consent, is sixteen (16). The marriage application may not be issued, for anyoneunder the age of sixteen, unless the bride has a doctor's certification that she is pregnant. At that time, both the groom and bride will sign the affidavit stating that they are the parents of an expected child, and the parent(s) will sign consent(s) to the marriage. If the bride has a doctor certificate of pregnancy & the parent(s) does/do not consent to the marriage, a hearing can be held before the county judge with proper notice to the parent(s).
Proper identification is needed to obtain a marriage license. Identification requirements are as follows: FOR U.S. CITIZENS: Driver's License, Birth Certificate, Passport, Florida State I.D. Card. FOR NON-CITIZENS: Resident Alien Card, Birth Certificate, Passport from native country, or any card issued by Immigration and Naturalization Services. Couples must be prepared to give their Social Security number. No Blood Test Required.
Couples who are Florida Residents have a choice of one of the following:
A. Wait three days after application to use marriage license.
B. Take a premarital course and obtain the license with no waiting period.
If a couple decides to take the premarital course, they will need to do the following:
Take the course before applying for the license. After taking the course, each will need to obtain a certificate (one certificate for each person) to bring with them. If both are Non-Florida Residents they will be exempt from the three day waiting period and will be able to obtain their license and have the wedding ceremony the same day. Couples do not have to take the course together, it can be taken separately. If the couple takes the course, they will get a $32.50 reduction on the cost of the license. They may have to pay for the course (prices to be set by the provider of the course).
If there has been a recent divorce (within six months), you must show a copy of the Final Judgment. If you have been divorced longer than six months, we do not require proof, but you must be prepared to give us the date the last marriage ended. If the bride has had her maiden name restored, she must bring in a copy of the divorce papers stating her name was restored.
The total cost of a marriage license is as follows:
| Couple, residents, both took course: |
$91.00 |
no waiting period |
| Couple, residents, one took course: |
$123.50 |
3 day waiting period |
| Couple, non-residents (no course required): |
$123.50 |
no waiting period |
| Couple, one non-resident; one resident, no course: |
$123.50 |
3 day waiting period |
| Couple, one non-resident; one-resident, took course: |
$123.50 |
3 day waiting period |
This includes two certified copies of the license, which will be mailed to you. The original is sent to the Bureau of Vital Statistics for recording and permanent record. Any additional certified copies needed can be obtained for an additional $2.50 each.
A self-addressed, stamped envelope is included with the license for the return of the original to this office for recording. The original marriage license must be signed by the person performing the ceremony, and the witnesses, with the appropriate information completed.
Marriages may be performed by any ordained minister, Notary Public, or authorized Deputy Clerk.
The Highlands County Courthouse has a wedding chapel available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm., but we ask that you come in no later than 4:30 pm, because of the time it takes to issue a license. Appointments can be made to reserve the chapel by calling the number above. Marriage License Course Instructors
Individuals who wish to teach the marriage license course are required to appear at the Highlands County Courthouse, Room 1, to obtain a Provider Affidavit that will need to be notarized and returned along with a copy of their license that qualifies them to teach the course.
The following is a list of qualified instructors as stated in Chapter 741 of the Florida Statutes.
A. Psychologist licensed under chapter 490
B. Clinical Social Worker licensed under chapter 491
C. A Marriage and Family Therapist licensed under chapter 491
D. A Mental Health Counselor licensed under chapter 491
E. An Official Representative of a religious institution which is recognized under s.496.404(20), if the representative has relevant training.
F. Any other provider designated by a Judicial Circuit, including, but not limited to, school counselors who are certified to offer such courses.
Each premarital preparation course provider shall furnish each participant who completes the course with a certificate of completion specifying the name of the participant, the date of completion, and whether the course was conducted by personal instruction, videotape instruction or instruction via other electronic medium, or by a combination of these methods.
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