Nobody elopes for the paperwork. You're here because you want the sunset, the first look, the vows that make you both cry — not a deep dive into county clerk office hours. I get it. But your marriage license is the one piece of paper that makes everything official, and getting it wrong can throw off your entire timeline. The good news? Florida keeps this process straightforward, and I've helped hundreds of couples navigate it without a single hiccup. Here's everything you need, laid out so you can handle it quickly and get back to the exciting stuff.
Quick facts at a glance
- A Florida marriage license costs $93.50 in Miami-Dade County.
- The fee drops to $61.00 if you complete a premarital preparation course.
- Florida residents face no waiting period and can marry the same day they receive their license.
- Non-residents must wait 3 calendar days before the ceremony, unless they complete a premarital course.
- The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue.
- No witnesses are required in Florida — only the couple and officiant need to be present.
- No blood test is required.
- Both partners must appear in person at the clerk's office to apply.
What you need to bring
Gather these before you head to the clerk's office. Missing even one item means a wasted trip, and I've seen it happen more often than you'd expect.
- Valid government-issued photo ID — a driver's license or passport works. Both partners need one. Make sure the name on your ID matches exactly; if you go by a different name than what's printed, bring documentation that connects the two.
- Social Security Number — you don't need the physical card, but you do need to know the number. Florida requires it on the application.
- Divorce decree or death certificate — only if either partner was previously married. Bring the final judgment of dissolution, not the filing receipt. If your former spouse is deceased, bring the death certificate.
- Both partners, in person — no proxies, no power of attorney. You both have to show up at the clerk's office together. Plan accordingly if you're traveling in separately.
If either of you is under 18, additional requirements and parental consent may apply — but that's rare in the elopement world, so I won't go deep on it here.
Step-by-step application process
This is simpler than it sounds. Five steps, and most couples are in and out within 30 to 45 minutes.
1. Start your application online. Visit the Miami-Dade County Clerk's website and fill out the marriage license application before you go in. This saves significant time at the counter. You'll enter basic information — names, dates of birth, addresses, Social Security Numbers. It doesn't commit you to anything; it just pre-loads your info.
2. Visit the clerk's office in person. The main location is at 73 W. Flagler Street, Suite 238, Miami, FL 33130. It's right in downtown Miami, a few blocks from the Metromover Government Center station. Walk-ins are accepted, but having an appointment speeds things up.
3. Present your IDs together. Both of you will need to show your photo identification and verify the information on your application. The clerk will ask a few standard questions — it's routine, not an interrogation.
4. Pay the fee. $93.50 for the standard license, or $61.00 if you've completed a premarital preparation course. They accept cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
5. Receive your license. Once the clerk processes everything, your license is issued on the spot. If you're a Florida resident (or you've completed the premarital course), you can get married that same day. Non-residents without the course start their 3-day countdown here.
How much does a Florida marriage license cost?
The standard marriage license fee in Miami-Dade County is $93.50. That's the all-in cost — no hidden fees or processing charges on top.
If you complete a premarital preparation course, the fee drops to $61.00, saving you $32.50. The course is typically about four hours and covers topics like communication, conflict resolution, and financial planning. Several Florida-approved providers offer it entirely online, so you can knock it out from your couch in an afternoon.
Beyond the savings, the course also eliminates the 3-day waiting period for everyone — residents and non-residents alike. For out-of-state couples flying in for their elopement, that alone makes it worth the time. I recommend it to virtually all my couples who aren't local.
The waiting period explained
This is the detail that trips up more couples than any other, so pay attention.
Florida residents: No waiting period. You can apply for your license in the morning and say your vows that afternoon. Same day, no restrictions.
Non-residents: There's a mandatory 3-calendar-day waiting period after the license is issued. If you receive your license on Monday, the earliest you can marry is Thursday. Weekends and holidays count toward the three days.
The workaround: Complete a premarital preparation course from a registered Florida provider. This eliminates the waiting period entirely, regardless of where you live. The course takes about four hours, can be done online, and costs between $10 and $50 depending on the provider.
Here's my practical advice: if you're coming from out of state and your elopement timeline is tight, take the course before you fly in. It removes one variable from your schedule and gives you flexibility if plans shift. Your elopement planner can help coordinate timing so the license, the ceremony location, and your vendors all line up perfectly.
How long is the license valid?
Your Florida marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date it's issued. Your ceremony must happen within that window. After 60 days, the license expires and you'd need to reapply and pay the fee again.
For most eloping couples, this is a non-issue — you'll use it within days of getting it. But I have had couples apply too early out of eagerness, then scramble when their elopement date falls on day 62. If your ceremony date is more than a month out, hold off on applying. There's no advantage to getting the license early, and you avoid the risk of it expiring.
Do you need witnesses in Florida?
No. Florida is one of the most elopement-friendly states in the country on the witness question. The law does not require any witnesses to be present at your ceremony. The only people who need to be there are you, your partner, and your officiant.
That said, if you want your photographer, your best friend, or your dog to be there, they're absolutely welcome. They just aren't legally required.
This is one of the reasons Florida is such a popular elopement destination. In some states, you need two witnesses who are over 18 and not related to you — that's a real constraint for couples who want a truly private ceremony. Florida skips that entirely.
Who can officiate your ceremony?
Florida has a broad list of people legally authorized to perform marriages:
- Ordained ministers and clergy of any religious denomination
- Judges — circuit court, county court, and federal
- Notary publics with a valid Florida commission
- Online-ordained ministers — yes, this is fully legal in Florida. If your best friend gets ordained through an online ministry, they can officiate your ceremony.
The officiant must be legally authorized at the time of the ceremony and must sign the marriage license afterward. I always recommend confirming your officiant's credentials in advance — not because there are frequent issues, but because it's an easy box to check and eliminates any doubt.
If you're booking one of our elopement packages, your officiant is included and already vetted. One less thing on your list.
After the ceremony — filing and certified copies
The ceremony is the meaningful part. This is the administrative part, and your officiant handles most of it.
Within 10 days of your ceremony, the officiant must sign the completed marriage license and return it to the Miami-Dade County Clerk's office for recording. This is their legal responsibility, not yours — but it doesn't hurt to confirm they've done it.
Certified copies of your marriage certificate become available approximately 2 to 3 weeks after the license is filed. You can order them from the clerk's office by mail or in person. Each certified copy costs around $2 to $5.
You'll want certified copies for:
- Legal name changes (Social Security, driver's license, passport)
- Updating insurance policies and beneficiary designations
- Bank accounts and financial records
- Employer HR records
I usually suggest ordering at least 3 to 4 certified copies. The name change process alone requires you to surrender originals at multiple agencies, and it's easier to have extras than to reorder later.
Common mistakes that delay your license
I've been doing this long enough to see the same pitfalls repeat. Avoid these and your license appointment will go smoothly.
Forgetting divorce paperwork. If either partner was previously married, you need the final divorce decree — not the separation agreement, not the filing paperwork. The final judgment. Couples forget this more than anything else, and the clerk cannot issue a license without it.
Mismatched names on ID. If you've changed your name since your ID was issued, or if your passport and driver's license show different versions of your name, bring supporting documentation. The clerk needs to verify your identity cleanly.
Not bringing both partners. Both of you must appear together. If one person is arriving a day later, you can't start the process solo and finish it later.
Applying too early. The 60-day validity window catches some couples off guard. Don't apply in January for a March wedding unless you're certain the ceremony will happen within 60 days.
Not accounting for the waiting period. Non-residents who skip the premarital course and plan their ceremony for the day after they get their license will be disappointed. Know whether the 3-day wait applies to you, and plan your arrival accordingly.
Miami-Dade County clerk locations and hours
The primary office for marriage licenses is:
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts 73 W. Flagler Street, Suite 238 Miami, FL 33130
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Closed weekends and county holidays.
Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments move faster — especially during busy months like February, March, and December. You can schedule an appointment through the clerk's website.
Accepted payment methods: Cash, personal checks, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
Parking: Downtown Miami parking is tight. The closest garage is the Government Center parking facility. Alternatively, take the Metromover to Government Center station — it's a 2-minute walk to the building.
There are also satellite clerk locations throughout the county, including Coral Gables, Hialeah, and South Dade, though availability and hours vary. The Flagler Street location is the most reliable for same-day processing.
If you're planning your elopement in Miami and want help coordinating the license timeline with your ceremony, that's something I handle for every couple I work with.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get married the same day you get your marriage license in Florida?
Yes — if you're a Florida resident or if you've completed a premarital preparation course. Non-residents who haven't taken the course must wait 3 calendar days. The course takes about four hours, can be done online, and costs under $50. It's the fastest way to eliminate the wait.
Do both partners need to be present to apply?
Yes. Florida law requires both partners to appear in person at the clerk's office. You cannot apply on behalf of your partner, even with a power of attorney. Plan your schedules so you can go together.
Can a friend officiate our elopement in Florida?
Absolutely. Florida recognizes online ordinations as valid. Your friend can get ordained through an online ministry — the process takes minutes and is free or costs a small fee. They'll need to be prepared to sign the marriage license after the ceremony and return it to the clerk's office within 10 days.
What if one of us was previously married?
You'll need to bring your final divorce decree or, if your former spouse is deceased, the death certificate. The clerk will ask for the date your previous marriage ended. Don't forget this document — it's the most common reason couples have to make a second trip.
Do we need a blood test to get married in Florida?
No. Florida eliminated blood test requirements years ago. No medical tests or health screenings of any kind are needed to obtain a marriage license.
Can we apply for a Florida marriage license online?
You can start the application online, which pre-fills your information and saves time at the clerk's office. But you cannot complete the process entirely online — both partners must still appear in person to present identification, verify information, and receive the license. Think of the online portion as a head start, not a replacement for the in-person visit.
Getting your marriage license is one of the few non-negotiable logistics of eloping in Florida. But as you can see, it's a straightforward process — especially if you know what to bring and plan around the waiting period. Handle this early in your 30-day planning timeline, and it becomes just another checked box on the way to a day you'll never forget.