Location:
Official Records Office
Lee County Administration Building
2115 Second Street, 2nd Floor
Fort Myers, FL 33901

Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

There are TWO steps to obtain a marriage license. The first step is to complete the online application, and the second step is to have the license issued and signed.

A marriage license may be obtained from any county in the State of Florida (regardless of where you live), and can only be used to be married within the State of Florida

Marriage licenses are valid in any Florida county for a period of 60 days from license effective date.

If one or both parties is a Florida resident, the couple must wait three days before the marriage license becomes effective or take a 4-hour premarital preparation course to waive the 3-day waiting period. There is no waiting period for non-Florida residents.

1. Photo identification showing your name and date of birth, such as a U.S. Driver's License, U.S. State Identification Card, Military ID, Passport, Matricula ID Card, Foreign Passport, or U.S. Permanent Resident Card. Birth Certificates are not acceptable forms of ID.
2. Social Security number (U.S. Citizens).

   Foreign Passport number (non-U.S. Citizens)

3. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. For applicants under 18, please visit our FAQ section.

There is a 3-day waiting period before Florida residents can use the marriage license to get married. The 3-day waiting period starts once the actual license is issued by the Clerk's office. The waiting period can be waived if both applicants have completed a pre-marital counseling course with an approved Pre-Marital Course Provider and present a certificate of completion at time of application. There is no waiting period for non-Florida residents but if the couple has one Florida resident, the waiting period applies.

NOTE: The marriage license is only valid for 60 days from license effective date.

All area Marital Course Providers must be registered with the Clerk. For providers who wish to be registered with the clerk, view Instructions on How to Register.

Additionally, both residents and non-residents of Florida may receive at $25 dollar discount on their marriage license by completing a pre-marital course. The course must be completed no more than one year prior to the date of application for the marriage license. Both parties must attend the course to be eligible for the discount.

1. Complete the Marriage License Online Application and write down the Marriage License Kiosk Transaction Number.
2. Both parties must read the Family Law Handbook. It is available in English and Spanish.
3. Print and fill out the Statement of Compliance
4. Print and fill out (DO NOT sign) the Affirmation of Common Children Born in Florida form ONLY IF applicants have a minor child together that was born in the State of Florida.
5. Appointments recommended: Make an appointment.

NOTE: The Marriage License Online Application is valid for 30 days. After 30 days, applications are purged and you will have to apply again online.

The Clerk's Office performs marriage ceremonies at our Fort Myers Official Records Office location.

Requirements:

1. Couple must possess a valid Florida marriage license to have a ceremony performed in our office
2. Each party will be required to present their valid identification to the clerk
3. A fee of $30.00 will be collected
4. Appointments Recommended: Make an appointment

1. Upon arrival to our office, each party will present their identification and the valid Florida marriage license to the clerk
2. Couple can choose to get married in our wedding ceremony room
• No more than 15 persons, including both spouses, shall be permitted in the wedding room
3. Couple will receive a receipt and a certified copy of their signed marriage license

Marriage licenses are available through a virtual process for couples getting married in the next 60 days.

Note: Marriage license is only valid for 60 days from license effective date

Process:

1. Complete the Marriage License Online Application
2. Both parties must read the Family Law Handbook. It is available in English and Spanish.
3. Fill out the Marriage License Virtual Packet
4. Email your completed, unsigned packet and Pre-Marital Course Provider completion certificate (if applicable), to marriage@leeclerk.org
• Please send as PDF (pictures will NOT be accepted)
• Please put both applicants' names in the email subject line
• Please provide 3 available times between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. for a clerk to contact you by phone
5. A clerk will contact you by phone* to verify your application and virtual packet information and to schedule a Zoom video call appointment**
6. Prior to having your Zoom video call, verify the device(s) you will be using has video and audio capabilities
7. Attend your scheduled Zoom appointment to have your marriage license issued
8. Couple will receive an electronic copy of the issued marriage license

NOTE: The Marriage License Online Application is valid for 30 days. After 30 days, applications are purged and you will have to apply again online.

Please note:

*A clerk will be calling you from (239)533-5000. Please be prepared to take the call so as not to delay the process.

**Scheduled video calls will be more than 5 business days from date packet is submitted (if needed sooner, couple must come to the office to have license issued).

PLEASE ALLOW 1 BUSINESS DAY FOR A RESPONSE FROM OUR OFFICE

Marriage ceremonies are available through a virtual process for couples with a valid Lee County marriage license.

Ceremonies are performed Monday through Friday only. Appointment times are 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m..

Requirements:

1. Marriage license MUST have been issued in Lee County.
2. Both parties must be present in the State of Florida during the marriage ceremony. Couple will have to sign an affidavit swearing to this information during the video call.
3. Both spouses will be required to have access to an email account on whichever device is being used for their video call.
4. Prior to having your Zoom video call, verify the device(s) you will be using has video and audio capabilities.

Scheduling:

1. Appointment will be no more than 30 minutes long.
2. Appointments must start at scheduled time.
3. Appointment must be made in the future. NO same day scheduling.
4. Schedule your marriage ceremony appointment with the Clerk's Office by emailing a request for a virtual ceremony to marriage@leeclerk.org.
• Please provide:
1. Both names of the couple getting married
2. Both email addresses
3. Both telephone numbers
4. 9 digit Lee County Marriage License Kiosk Transaction Number
5. Date & time of requested ceremony

A clerk will respond by phone or email to schedule your virtual marriage ceremony

Process:

1. At the start of the video call, couple will each present their identification to the clerk
2. A credit card payment for the ceremony fee of $30 will be processed on the video call and a receipt of payment will be emailed
3. Clerk will acquire signatures on a sworn affidavit attesting to the location of each spouse during the ceremony
4. Clerk will perform the marriage ceremony on the video call
5. A certified copy of the recorded marriage license will be mailed to the couple

Please Note: Couples can invite guests to the Zoom wedding ceremony by forwarding the Clerk's Zoom invitation to their guest's email addresses. The invitation will contain the Meeting Link, Meeting ID and Passcode. However, we can not wait for guests. The wedding ceremony will have to start at the scheduled appointment time.

*No waiting period if all of the following are met:

• Both parties have taken a 4-hour premarital course and present a certificate
• Both parties are non-Florida residents

**If the Florida resident takes the course, no waiting period

To obtain a free copy of a marriage license record in Lee County, search the Official Records. Certified copy options are available on our Copies of Documents page.

If your license was obtained in another county or state, you must search the records in that county or state.

The certified copy of your marriage license is the legal document needed to change your name with the Social Security Administration, the Division of Motor Vehicles, your banking institution, your employer, credit card accounts, etc.

*The Social Security office does NOT accept electronically certified documents. A certified copy will need to be obtained by mail or in person from one of our office locations.