Who may apply for a marriage license?

* Any male or female age 18 or over.
* A minor whose parents are deceased and no guardian is appointed.
* Minors, who under oath, swear that they are parents or expectant
parents of a child. In addition, the pregnancy must be verified by a
written statement of a licensed physician. When the fact of pregnancy
is verified by the written statement of a licensed physician, the county
court judge may, in his/her discretion, issue a license to marry.
* A previously married minor.
* A person age 16 or 17 with parental or guardian consent.

Where consent is required, is consent of both parents required?
Yes, unless the parents are divorced and the sole custody and control
is placed in one parent, then only the parent having such sole custody
and control shall be required to give the written consent. Written
consent of an incompetent parent is not required (Attorney General
Opinion 49-122). All written consents must be acknowledged (notarized).

Is there a waiting period for issuance of the license?
Yes. There is a three day waiting period provided by the state legislature
effective January 1, 1999, if either party is a Florida resident. Exceptions:
Non-Florida residents with out of state drivers license used as proof of
identity, require no waiting period. Florida residents who provide upon
making application proof of completion of a 4-hour marriage preparation
course provided by an instructor registered with Okaloosa County, FL,
require no waiting period.

Are blood tests and physical exams required?
No. The law requiring these tests was abolished October 1, 1986.

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.

Where can I apply for a marriage license in Okaloosa County?
A marriage license may be obtained Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. at the Clerk of Circuit Court's Office in either the Okaloosa County Courthouse, 101 E. James Lee Boulevard, Room 210, Crestview, FL or at the Okaloosa County Courthouse Annex, 1250 N. Eglin Parkway, Shalimar, FL.

How long is a marriage license valid once it is issued?
The marriage must be solemnized within sixty (60) days of issuance of the marriage license. The ceremony can be performed anywhere in the State of Florida.

Who may perform marriage ceremonies?

* A regularly ordained minister or other ordained clergy;
* Elders in communion with some church;
* All judicial officers (judges) of the State of Florida;
* Clerks of Circuit Court and their deputies of the State of Florida; and
* Notaries Public of the State of Florida.
* 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.

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.

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.

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 ten days after the wedding. The
party who performed the marriage is responsible for returning the
completed license.

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 set by Florida Statute and is currently $20.00.

What is the fee for a marriage license?
The fee for a marriage license is $88.50. The Clerk retains $22.00 for
taking the application, recording and preserving it as a permanent
record of his/her office. However, the legislature provides that the
remaining $66.50 be used to fund various state agencies and
trust funds, as follows:

* Department of HRS, Bureau of Vital Statistics - $4.00
* Spouse Abuse Center - $30.00
* Family Courts Trust Fund - $25.00
* Displaced Homemaker Trust Fund - $7.50

Couples who are Florida residents (who hold a valid Florida Drivers
License) and complete at least a 4-hour marriage preparation
course provided by an instructor registered with Okaloosa
County, Florida will receive a $32.50 reduction in the initial marriage
license fee. The fee will be reduced by $32.50 to such applicants -
the $25 for Family Courts Trust Fund and the $7.50 for the Displaced
Homemakers Trust Fund.

Can I pay for my marriage license with a personal check?
In Okaloosa County, checks are accepted for a marriage license.
Checks should be made payable to the Clerk of Court.

Changing information on documents:
If your marriage means a change in name and/or address, remember
to make the following important notifications:

1. Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Division of Drivers License.
2. Your nearest Social Security office.
3. Your voter's registration office.
4. Military Reserve commanding officer.
5. Beneficiaries: Members of your family are probably named as beneficiaries or joint owners on many of these documents (bank accounts, insurance policies, employment benefits, etc.) and you may wish to make your spouse the new beneficiary or joint owner.

Where to write for a copy of your marriage license:
Department of HRS
Division of Vital Statistics
PO Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
Phone: (904) 359-6955

-or-

If you were issued your marriage license in Okaloosa County, contact:
Clerk of Circuit Court
Recording Department
PO Drawer 1359
Crestview, FL 32536-1359
Phone: (850) 689-5041