Marriage Licenses
The Marriage License division receives marriage applications and issues licenses.
You may obtain a marriage license at any of the following three locations.
You may also start the marriage license application process online by using our eMarriage online application. See below for information about the eMarriage application process.
Marriage License Office Locations
Lake County Courthouse
North Wing, 3rd Floor, 550 W. Main St., Tavares, FL 32778
Phone: (352) 253-2648
Open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
South Lake Branch Office
290 Citrus Tower Blvd., Suite 116, Clermont
The office is located behind the Citrus Tower Village Publix shopping center.
Phone: (352) 253-4589
Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
North Lake Branch Office
902 Avenida Central, The Villages.
The office is located in the Villages of Lady Lake.
Phone: (352) 253-4575
Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed for lunch from 12 to 1 p.m.
eMarriage Application
eMarriage is
an online marriage license pre-application program that will
save you time when you come to the Clerk's Office. By using
our eMarriage application, you are filling out, at your
convenience, all the necessary information required by
the State of Florida to obtain a marriage license. You
save time because you will not have to fill out a paper
marriage license application at the Clerk's Office. Your
online application is valid for 45 calendar days from the
day it is submitted. Please note there is a three (3) day waiting period for Florida residents that have not completed a premarital preparation course from a qualified course provider registered with the Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. The three (3) day wait begins once the couple appears in front of the marriage license clerk to complete the application process.
Using the eMarriage Application System
- Read the disclaimer to understand that by filling out the online application, you must still appear before the Clerk and meet the State of Florida's requirements for a marriage license. Simply completing the online form does not mean you are married.
- Enter information in all the required fields and submit. Your information will go into the Clerk's queue.
- You will receive an on-screen confirmation that you have successfully completed the online application.
- Within 45 days of completing the online application,
both parties must come together to the Marriage
License/Passport Division with proper identification
and form of payment.
- The three (3) day waiting period does not begin until the couple appears before a marriage license clerk to complete the application process.
- At that time, the Clerk will determine if your application is accepted or rejected.
Marriage License Fees
| Item |
Fee Amount |
| Marriage application and license (includes one certified copy of license) |
$86.00 |
| If pre-marital class certification filed (3-day waiting period waived) |
$61.00 |
| For Solemnizing Matrimony (Marriage Ceremony) |
$30.00 |
| Providing a certified copy |
$3.00 |
| |
Applying for a Marriage License
- Who may apply for a marriage license?
- Any two people 18 years of age or older.
- A person age 17 with parental or guardian consent, provided the other party is no more than two years older.
- What do I need to apply for a marriage license?
- Both parties must be present when applying for a marriage license.
- Couples are required by law to read a handbook supplied by the Clerk and sign a statement acknowledging that they have read the handbook before applying for the license. This can be done the same day as applying for the license or you may download the booklet by following the link on this page, and read it before your arrival.
- To expedite the licensing process, you may download the Marriage License Information Sheet by following the link on this page, complete it, and bring it with you to the Marriage License Division or you can complete eMarriage.
- Additionally, depending on which category applies to you, you will need to bring the following information:
- Applicants 18 years of age or older:
- Each party must show a valid driver's license or state ID, a passport or military identification.
- Both parties must provide their Social Security numbers.
- If either party has been previously married, the party must provide the day, month and year his or her last marriage ended.
- Applicants 17 years of age must present EACH of the following:
- Each party must show a valid driver's license or state ID, a passport or military identification.
- Both parties must provide their Social Security numbers.
- Certified copy of your birth certificate showing both parents' names.
- Notarized written consent of both parents or legal guardian. If one or both parents of a minor are deceased, a certified copy of the death certificate is required. If a parent has sole legal custody, the parent must present a certified copy of the court document granting sole custody.
- Is there a waiting period after issuance of the license?
There is no waiting period for Florida residents who file certification that they both have completed a premarital preparation course from a registered provider within the past 12 months. For Florida residents who have not taken the course, there is a three day waiting period between issuance of the license and the time it becomes valid for use. For non-Florida residents there is no waiting period.
- How is the waiting period counted?
The date the license is issued does count as the first day. You will need to wait two additional full days. You may then be married on the following day. For example, if you obtain your marriage license on Friday, you can marry on Monday.
- Where can I take the premarital preparation course?
- Are blood tests required?
No, the law requiring a blood test 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 used in any Florida county.
- Do one or both of the marriage license applicants have to be American citizens?
No, there is no citizenship requirement.
- How long is a marriage license valid once it is issued?
The license is valid for 60 days after issuance. The effective date and expiration date are noted on the license. The ceremony can be performed anywhere in the State of Florida. The marriage license form must be returned to the Clerk’s Office for recording within 10 days after the marriage is performed.
- How do we go about renewing our vows?
Talk to your clergyman, chaplain, other religious adviser, or personal counselor.
- Do we need to obtain a license to renew our vows?
- Where can I write for a certified copy of my marriage license?
One certified copy is provided as part of the marriage license fee. Extra certified copies are $3.00 and can be obtained by writing to:
Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Attention: Recording Division
P. O. Box 7800
Tavares, FL 32778
If your license was issued in any other Florida county, contact the clerk’s office in the county where it was issued, or write to:
Florida Department of Health
Division of Vital Statistics
P. O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
Phone (904) 359-6900
To order copies online and search other Florida Counties' Official Records, visit MyFloridaCounty.com
- Can I get married at the Courthouse?
Yes, if you have a valid Florida marriage license, you may have your ceremony performed at any of our three locations for the applicable fee. No appointment is necessary for ceremonies at the Tavares or Clermont locations. For the location in The Villages, please call ahead at (352) 253-4575 to ensure availability.
The Lake County Courthouse in Tavares has a marriage ceremony room that accommodates up to 10 guests. The Villages' location has a marriage ceremony room that accommodates up to 6 guests. Ceremonies in Clermont are performed directly at the marriage license clerk’s workstation.