Both the bride-to-be and the husband-to-be need to be present when applying for a marriage license, no exceptions. If you are getting married in the State of Florida, you may obtain your marriage license in any county within the State.
Who Can Apply For A Marriage License?
- Any male or female 18 years of age or older
- Any male or female 16-17 years of age with both parents' or legal guardians' consent
- A minor whose parents are deceased and has certified copies of both death certificates
- A previously married minor
- With a judge's approval, minors, who must swear under oath, that they are parents or expectant parents of a child
What Do We Need To Bring When We Apply For A Marriage License? Depending on which category applies to you, you will need to bring the following information:
Applicants 18 years of age or older:
- Both parties must appear in person
- Valid photo identification that shows the applicant's date of birth and photo (Valid U.S. State Driver s License, Valid Passport, Valid U.S. State ID Card, Valid Alien Registration Card, or a Valid U.S. Military ID card)
- You must submit your Social Security Number, if you are not a US Citizen you must submit your Passport Book Number and Country of Issuance
- If previously married, you must provide the day, month, and year the previous marriage ended. A certified copy of the divorce judgment is required if the divorce is within the 30 days of the date of the marriage application
The State of Florida requires that both applicants read the Family Law Handbook provided by the Clerk. You may access the handbook on-line in both English and Spanish:
Payment must be cash.
Applicants 16-17 years of age must present EACH of the following:
- Both parties must appear in person
- Valid photo identification that shows the applicant's date of birth and photo (Valid U.S. State Driver s License, Valid Passport, Valid U.S. State ID Card, Valid Alien Registration Card, or a Valid U.S. Military ID card)
- You must submit your Social Security Number, if you are not a US Citizen you must submit your Passport Book Number and Country of Issuance
- Certified copy of your birth certificate showing both parents' names
- Notarized consent form from both parents or consent of one parent in the case of divorce if the custodial parent has the authority to grant permission for the non-custodial parent. (This consent must be accompanied with a certified copy of the Court Order granting sole parental responsibility of the minor applicant to the custodial parent). If one or both parents of a minor are deceased, a certified copy of the death certificate is required.
The State of Florida requires that both applicants read the Family Law Handbook provided by the Clerk. You may access the handbook on-line in both English and Spanish:
Payment must be cash.
Applicants under 16 years of age must present EACH of the following:
- Both parties must appear in person
- Valid photo identification that shows the applicant's date of birth and photo (Valid U.S. State Driver s License, Valid Passport, Valid U.S. State ID Card, Valid Alien Registration Card, or a Valid U.S. Military ID card)
- You must submit your Social Security Number, if you are not a US Citizen you must submit your Passport Book Number and Country of Issuance
- Certified copy of your birth certificate showing both parents' names
- Notarized consent form from both parents or consent of one parent in the case of divorce if the custodial parent has the authority to grant permission for the non-custodial parent. (This consent must be accompanied with a certified copy of the Court Order granting sole parental responsibility of the minor applicant to the custodial parent). If one or both parents of a minor are deceased, a certified copy of the death certificate is required.
- Certificate from a licensed physician that the female is pregnant
- An affidavit that the couple are the parents of an unborn child or an affidavit that the child is already born along with a certified copy of the child's birth certificate.
The State of Florida requires that both applicants read the Family Law Handbook provided by the Clerk. You may access the handbook on-line in both English and Spanish:
Payment must be cash.
Florida Residents have a (3) three day waiting period after applying for a marriage license:
If one or both parties is a Florida Resident, the couple must wait three (3) three days before the marriage license goes into effect or take a 4-hour premarital preparation course to waive the (3) three day waiting period. To receive a waiver of the (3) three day waiting period, a premarital preparation course must be completed within one year prior to obtaining a marriage license and a valid certificate of completion must be presented to the Clerk's Office. The course certificate must include the length of the course (number of hours) and how the course was provided (by personal instruction, videotape instruction, instruction via other electronic medium, or a combination of those methods).
Taking the premarital preparation course also lowers the fee from the standard $93.50 to $61.00 (payment must be cash). You can access our list of Premarital Preparation Course Providers in Lee County.
If all of the course requirements are met on the day of application, the marriage license will be issued and also be effective the same day. If the course requirements are not met on the date of application, the marriage license will be issued but will not be effective until three (3) days from the issue date. The expiration date will be sixty (60) days from the effective date and will appear on the license.
Marriage ceremonies may be performed by the following per Florida Statute 741.07:
- A regularly ordained minister or other ordained clergy
- Elders in communion with some church
- All judicial officers (judges)
- Clerks of Circuit Court and their deputies
- 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.
An authorized Deputy Clerk of the Lee County Recording Office can perform the marriage ceremony for you in the Clerk of Courts Recording Office. The fee for the ceremony is $30.00, and must be paid in cash.
Office Locations and Hours of Operation:
- Fort Myers: The County Administration Building, 2115 Second Street, 2nd Floor.
The Lee County Clerk of Courts Recording Office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can apply for a license or have the marriage ceremony performed in the office anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
