Applying for a Marriage License
Requirements By Age
For applicants who are 18 years of age or older. Both parties must have State or Government-issued valid photo identification (Driver’s License, State-issued ID card, Passport, or Military ID). Both parties must know their social security numbers (you do not need to bring the card with you). And if either party has been previously married, you must know the FULL DATE of divorce, annulment, or death of the previous spouse (you do not need to bring the divorce decree, annulment papers, or death certificate).
Marriage licenses can only be issued to persons who are at least 17 years of age, but only with the written consent of both parents. Click here for the link to the Parental Consent Form.
However, the older party to the marriage cannot be more than 2 years older than the younger party to the marriage. We must have the original of the following items from the applicant, who is 17 years old:
- Birth certificate
- Driver’s license, state ID, or passport
- Social security card
Submitting the Application
You can begin the application process by completing the marriage license application online. Once submitted, a transaction number will appear on the screen that you will need to bring with you. All applicants are required to read the Florida Law Handbook.
If unable to complete the process before arrival, public terminals are located in the Recording/Marriage License department in room 110, where the marriage license application can be completed.
The marriage license fee is $86.00, and the license is valid to be used in the State of Florida for 60 days. Florida Residents have a 3-day waiting period before the license is effective.
If a pre-marital preparation course has been completed by a registered provider, the fee is reduced to $61.00, and the 3-day waiting period is waived. A copy of the completion certificate issued by a registered provider must be provided to the clerk’s office.
Officiating the Ceremony
As listed in Florida Statute 471.0, all regularly ordained ministers of the gospel or elders in communion with some church, or other ordained clergy, and all judicial officers, clerks of the circuit court, and Florida Notary Publics may solemnize matrimony.
The Bay County Clerk of Court no longer performs marriage ceremonies. You may click here for a local listing of officiants.
It is the legal responsibility of the notary public or minister who performed the ceremony to return the license to the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office where the license was obtained within 10 days after the ceremony.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Although the marriage application does not specifically ask about the possible relationship of the parties, Florida law prohibits close blood relations from legally marrying. These include such relationships as parent-child, brother-sister, and uncle-niece. The nearest degree of relations who may legally marry in the state of Florida are first cousins.
If you are local, all you need to do to obtain a certified copy of a marriage license is come to our office in room 110 at the Bay County Courthouse. Both parties’ names at the time of application, along with the year of marriage, are required. You may pay by cash or a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover credit or debit card. Note: if you choose to use a credit or debit card, you will be charged a convenience fee.
Requests can also be sent via email by completing and attaching a saved copy of the Marriage License Request Form. Forward the attachments to recording@baycoclerk.com for processing.
The above documents can also be sent by mail to the following address:
Bay County Clerk’s Office
ATTN: Marriage License Department
PO Box 2269
Panama City, FL 32402
Or you may contact the Office of Vital Statistics:
Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics
PO Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231
(904) 359-6900
The Marriage License Amendment fee is $30.00, which requires documentation of correction.
Two certified copies are provided as part of the Marriage License fee. Additional certified copies may be obtained for a fee of $3.00 each.
Resources
Forms
Fees
Please be informed that fee increases are added during the Legislative Session.
The Clerk’s Office will accept only Cash, Credit/Debit Cards (Discover, MasterCard, Visa & American Express), Money Orders, or Cashier’s Checks for payment of all monetary business transactions.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage License without Marriage Preparation Class | $86.00 |
| Marriage License with Marriage Preparatory Class Certificate | $61.00 |
| Duplicate/Amended Marriage License | $30.00 |