Q&A for How to Get Married in Florida

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How much money should I spend on a wedding?

Hope Mirlis
Wedding Officiant & Marriage Counselor
Hope Mirlis is a registered Wedding Officiant, an Ordained Non-Denominational Minister, and a Certified Yoga Instructor specializing in pre-wedding mental health. She is the Founder of A More Perfect Union, a premarital counseling business. She has worked as a counselor and officiant for over eight years and has helped hundreds of couples strengthen their relationships. She has a MFA in Dramatic Arts from the University of California, Davis.

Hope Mirlis

Wedding Officiant & Marriage Counselor

Expert Answer

You know, it really depends on the couple. There's no set budget that fits everyone, but you must figure out what's more important for you to invest wisely. How do you envision the big day? What do you see most when you think about it? If you see lots of flowers, don't skimp on the decoration! If you see your friends eating and drinking, then make sure to put your money into a good caterer or a good mixologist.

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Do I need a witness to get married in the county clerk's office in Florida?

Flutasmoradas

Community Answer

As far as I know, all offices require at least two witnesses and a marriage license for the state to consider you two lawfully married.

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Can one get married in a church witnessed by God only and bypass the state license?

Flutasmoradas

Community Answer

No. Well, you wouldn't be legally married. You need to sign a marriage license and have at least 2 witnesses. You can choose where you want to get married, however.

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Question

We want to get married in August when we visit Florida. Should we just turn up at the courthouse and get married?

Community Answer

You could do that. However, make sure the particular courthouse you're visiting has a Marriage License Bureau Clerk's office. They don't all have them.

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Question

What is the bare minimum for a ceremony to get married in Florida? Can I take the license to a notary with two witnesses and have them sign it and leave?

Community Answer

There must be an exchange of vows before witnesses and certified by an approved officiant.

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Do you have to be a Florida resident to get married in Florida?

Curiousguy033

Community Answer

You may also obtain your Florida Marriage License at any clerk of court in the State of Florida. The bride and groom must have valid photo identification such as a driver's license, state identification card, government or military identification card, or a passport.

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Can the person marrying you be one of the two witnesses?

Community Answer

Not in most countries. You may have to get two separate individuals apart from the couple.

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Can I get a discount to a marriage license if I had lived together for many years?

Community Answer

Not in most cases, legally. Fees remain the same for couples regardless of their relationship status. The fees are not that high.

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Can I just turn up at the court house get licence and get married right after?

Johnjohnvball17

Top Answerer

If you are a Florida resident, there is a 3-day waiting period from when you obtain the marriage license and when you can perform the ceremony. If you are not a Florida resident, there is no waiting period.

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Do you have to get married in the state of Florida to register your marriage in Florida?

Johnjohnvball17

Top Answerer

No, you do not. Florida recognizes all legally performed and registered marriages.

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What if I don't have a witness?

Johnjohnvball17

Top Answerer

That's not a problem! Florida doesn't require couples to have a witness to their marriage. Only the couple and the officiant are legally required to be at the ceremony.

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Do We need divorce licenses to get married in Florida?

Johnjohnvball17

Top Answerer

If you have been divorced, you will need to bring proof of the divorce with you when going to apply for a marriage license.

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If I were to get married in a public space (for example, the Disneyland parking lot or on a Disney ride), would they not legally recognize our wedding?

Johnjohnvball17

Top Answerer

There isn't anything stopping you from getting married in a public place. You could perform the marriage ceremony in the Disneyland parking lot and it would be legally valid.

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I've been living in Florida since I was 8 years old, but is it okay not to get married if I don't want to?

Johnjohnvball17

Top Answerer

There's no legal requirement that you get married if you don't wish to be, regardless of the state you reside in.

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Can the bride or groom be the officiant if he or she is a Florida notary?

Johnjohnvball17

Top Answerer

No, the couple cannot officiate their own ceremony. They would need to have a third party officiate the ceremony and sign the marriage license.

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How long after the ceremony must the certificate be notarized and registered?

Johnjohnvball17

Top Answerer

The marriage license needs to be returned to the county clerk's office within 10 days of the ceremony.

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How do I get married in another state if we're both Florida residents?

Johnjohnvball17

Top Answerer

All you need to do is get the marriage license from the state where the wedding will take place. Check with the local marriage authorities to verify what documents you will need to present to them to obtain the license.

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