How to Replace Your Lost Florida Marriage Certificate
Losing your Florida Marriage Certificate can be frustrating. However, they aren't something that we need to have with us all the time. Therefore, we often put them into a "safe place" only to discover that we no longer remember where that safe place was.
If you have lost it or if it is damaged, there may be circumstances that mean you need to find a new copy of a marriage certificate. Sadly, this can sometimes be easier said than done.
Before you allow yourself to get too frustrated with your search, know that DoNotPay is here to help with answers to all the big questions you may have.
Do You Need a Marriage Certificate or a Marriage License?
There is often confusion regarding a Florida marriage license and a marriage certificate. If you are unsure, it is always good to ask questions because you need to understand what they are.
Marriage License
A marriage license is issued before the couple says, "I do." It simply states that there are plans for a marriage to take place.
In Florida, you have 60 days from getting a marriage license to get married, or it will expire. If you go just one day past the expiration date, no one will be able to perform a marriage ceremony until you get a new license.
Marriage Certificates
The certificate is provided to you as a couple after the wedding has taken place. There is no expiration date, and it legally binds the two people together. This certificate will be required for things like:
- Changing Your Name on Driver's Licenses or Social Security Cards
- Filing Taxes as a Couple
- Getting a Passport
- Applying for Insurances
- Bank Accounts and Credit Cards
- And Similar Circumstances
If this is the certificate that you need, you will be prevented from doing many of the mentioned things before you replace it. Therefore, it is important that you fully understand how to get a marriage license in Florida.
Who Can Get a Marriage Certificate Copy in Florida?
Every county may have different rules about who can order a copy of a marriage certificate. According to the Florida Department of Health, you will need to include your relationship to a person listed on the marriage record. However, if you are in Miami/Dade only says that you must provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your completed form.
To discover what to bring to your marriage license appointment, you will have to contact your local county health department or the Clerk of Courts. In general, though, the documents that you will need to bring will include:
- Social Security Card for Each Person
- Drivers Licenses or Other Photo ID
- Dates of Divorce, Death, or Annulments of Previous Marriages (if applicable)
- Parental Consent Forms if Under 18
You are strongly urged to contact your local departments to find out what you specifically may need to provide.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Marriage Certificate Copy in Florida?
As a part of your wedding day budget, you will want to keep in mind that there is a Florida marriage license fee. Before you visit your county offices, you should call to ask, "Do you need an appointment to get a marriage license?"
The wedding certificate cost will vary based on the county in most situations. Usually, it is not expensive, but a rough idea of the cost will be:
| Marriage License | $93.50 ($61.00 for Florida residents who have attended a qualifying premarital class) |
| Search Fee | $5.00 (non-refundable) |
| Per Year Search Fee | $2.00 (up to $50 if exact year is unknown) |
| Rush Fee | $10.00 (if necessary) |
For additional fees that may be included in your marriage certificate cost, you should see the county list below.
How Long Will It Take to Get Your Marriage Certificate in Florida?
Most people ask, "How long does it take to get a marriage license in Florida?" Every situation is different. If you walk into the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, you could walk out that same day with your marriage certificate.
If you prefer to mail in your request, you should send it to:
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, Florida 32231-0042
On average, the processing time for most orders is 3-5 business days if the date of marriage is after 1970. Prior to 1970 may require additional time. If you include the $10 fee to get rush processing, you should mark the outside of your envelope with "RUSH". This will speed up the processing time of your request, but you should still allow for slow mail.
How to Request a Florida Marriage Certificate on Your Own?
Requesting a marriage certificate is not always an easy process. It can often require a lot of searching for information to make sure you do it right. However, if you are ready to get your certificate, there are some steps for you to take.
If applying for a license, you should first ask how to make an appointment for a marriage license. Your local offices will be able to give you information about it.
If you are searching for a , you should first decide if you are going to mail your request or try to find someone local that can provide it to you. This will be a good time to find out whether you need to provide photo ID or notarization letters to ensure you do it properly the first time.
From there, you will want to fill out your form. This must be done as accurately as possible. You will come out cheaper if the state or county does not have to search too hard for the information you need.
Sending your check or money order and waiting for the delivery of your certificate will be the last part of your list of things to do. The wait, when requesting through, the mail can take approximately two weeks.
Not everyone can wait like that or have the option to show up at the Bureau of Vital Statistics. If you want a faster, easier way of getting what you need, DoNotPay may be an easier option.
Simplify the Process: Get a Florida Marriage Certificate Instantly with DoNotPay
If you want to simplify the process, you can apply online with DoNotPay. We can talk you through how to obtain marriage license online. From there, we can also help you get an instant marriage license and fast copies of your marriage certificate.
If you want to Order/Get a Marriage Certificate Copy in [State/City] but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 7 easy steps:
- Go to the Certificates of Marriage product on DoNotPay.
- Select whether the certificate belongs to you or a relative/loved one. If it belongs to someone else, enter the details of both people on the certificate, and select/upload evidence that proves your relationship with them. If the certificate is yours, enter the details of your spouse.
- Enter the city, state, and county where the marriage certificate was issued as well as the date it was issued.
- Indicate what you will be using this certificate for, and choose whether you need an authorized or certified copy.
- Enter your contact information and shipping address. Upload copies of your government-issued identification, such as a driver's license.
- Choose whether you would like to electronically sign this form or not. Once we generate the form, verify that all of the information is correct
- If you need the document to be notarized, schedule a notarization appointment using our Notary product. Otherwise, proceed to our Mail Checks product and let DoNotPay mail-in your request form with a check on your behalf.
Why Take Advantage of Our DoNotPay Services?
Whether you are seeking a marriage license or a , we can make the process as straightforward and quick as possible for you. With DoNotPay, you have easy access to:
- A Virtual Notary
- Power of Attorney Setup
- Document Preparation and Filing
- A Check Mailing Service
- And Many Other Services You May Find Useful
As the world's first robotic, online lawyer group, we can do it all. DoNotPay is available 24/7 and is more than happy to help you get everything done. You simply have to contact us. We will do the rest.