If you are planning a wedding in South Florida, securing your marriage license in Miami is the absolute first legal step before you can say «I do.» Whether you are a local resident planning a large celebration or an international couple arriving for a destination wedding, understanding the strict requirements of the Miami-Dade County Clerk is essential to avoid delays.
However, obtaining the license is only half the process. Once issued, the license is merely a permit; your marriage must be solemnized by a legally authorized officiant to be valid. At Notary Public Center, our commissioned Florida notaries specialize in officiating civil marriages, ensuring your license is correctly executed, signed, and recorded with the state without any bureaucratic headaches.
What Is a Marriage License?
A marriage license is a legal document issued by a county that authorizes a couple to marry. In Miami-Dade County, this document is required before your wedding ceremony, and it must be signed and returned afterward to be officially recorded
Who Can Apply for a Marriage License in Miami?
You can apply for a marriage license in Miami if:
- Both parties are at least 18 years old
- You present valid, government-issued photo ID (passport, driver’s license, etc.)
- You provide your Social Security number (if applicable)
- You are not currently married
No residency or citizenship is required—foreign nationals can apply too.
How to Get a Marriage License in Miami
We take care of completing the forms and scheduling your appointment at the county courthouse that’s most convenient for you, so you can simply show up to receive your marriage license
Miami Marriage License Requirements
Before heading to the courthouse, both parties must meet specific criteria and gather the correct documentation. To apply for a marriage license in Miami, you must provide:
Valid Identification: Both individuals must present a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include a U.S. driver’s license, state ID, U.S. passport, or a valid foreign passport.
Age Verification: Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. (Exceptions for minors are extremely rare and require judicial approval).
Social Security Number: U.S. citizens and residents must provide their Social Security Number (the physical card is usually not required, just the number). Non-U.S. citizens can use an Alien Registration Number or a foreign passport.
Previous Marriage Information: If either party was previously married, you must provide the exact date the last marriage ended (by divorce, annulment, or death). If the event occurred within the last 30 days, certified copies of the divorce decree or death certificate may be required.
How Much Does a Marriage License Cost in Miami?
Service Cost, Marriage license (standard) $86.00
Note: If you plan to use the license internationally, you may also need a notarized copy and apostille
Where to Get a Marriage License in Miami
We’ll provide you with the addresses of county courthouses so you can choose the one closest to you, along with the schedule that best fits your availabilit
Can I Get My Marriage License Online?
We can start the process online, but you must appear in person to complete it. Florida law requires in-person verification before issuing the license.
At Notary Public Center, we can help guide you through the online pre-application and even assist in requesting a certified marriage certificate afterward.
Do I Need an Apostille for International Use?
Yes. If you’re planning to use your marriage certificate abroad (for immigration, dual citizenship, or legal recognition), you’ll need to request a certified copy and have it apostilled.
Notary Public Center can assist you with:
- Requesting the certified marriage certificate
- Notarizing supporting documents
- Processing the apostille with the Florida Department of State
Providing translations and international delivery if needed
Waiting Period and How Long the License Is Valid
Florida imposes a three-day waiting period between the license issue date and the wedding ceremony — unless both parties are Florida residents who complete a state-approved premarital preparation course, which waives the wait entirely. Once issued, a Miami-Dade marriage license is valid for sixty days; if your ceremony falls outside that window, you will need to apply again. We help you time the application so it lines up with your ceremony date, whether that is next week or next month.
Florida law distinguishes between state residents and out-of-state/international visitors regarding waiting periods and fees. This is a critical factor for destination weddings.
| Applicant Status | Premarital Course | Waiting Period | |
| Florida Residents | Did NOT take the course | 3 Days | |
| Florida Residents | Took approved 4-hour course | 0 Days (Immediate) | |
| Non-Residents / International | Not required | 0 Days (Immediate) |
What Happens After the Wedding?
The officiant who performs your ceremony is legally required to sign and return the completed license to the Miami-Dade County Clerk’s office within ten days. Once recorded, the county issues your official marriage certificate — the document you will actually need for name changes, immigration filings, or international recognition. If you already have a license and simply need to locate an existing record, see our dedicated guide on the Miami-Dade marriage license search.
How Can Notary Public Center Help?
Once you provide the required information, Notary Public Center will take care of requesting and obtaining your certified marriage certificate from Miami-Dade County on your behalf.
We also offer:
- Apostille services for international use
- Document notarization
- Bilingual support (English & Spanish)
Getting Married in Miami? We’re Here to Help
Don’t let paperwork delay your big day. Whether you’re getting married locally or need to prepare your documents for another country, Notary Public Center simplifies the process.
Documents to Bring to Your Appointment
- Valid government-issued photo ID for both parties — a driver’s license, state ID, or passport. Foreign nationals can use a valid passport; a visa is not required.
- Social Security number for each party who has one; those without one sign a declaration instead.
- Proof that any prior marriage has ended: a certified divorce decree or a death certificate for a deceased former spouse. Approximate dates are acceptable if you do not have the exact paperwork on hand — the clerk will guide you on what is sufficient.
- Witnesses are not required in Florida for the license application itself, though your officiant may want witnesses present at the ceremony depending on the venue.
Both applicants must appear together at the same appointment; the county does not allow one party to apply on the other’s behalf.
Common Reasons Applications Get Delayed
- Name mismatches: if your ID uses a different name than your birth certificate or a prior legal name change, bring the supporting document that connects the two.
- Incomplete divorce paperwork: a decree that is not final, or missing the finalization date, can hold up the application until the county verifies the marriage has legally ended.
- Language barriers: documents issued outside the U.S. sometimes need translation before the clerk will accept them — we provide bilingual support and can arrange certified translation in advance.
- Traveling for a destination wedding: visitors sometimes assume any Florida county works; while a Miami-Dade license is valid statewide, planning your appointment date around your travel itinerary avoids last-minute scrambling.
Marriage License vs. Marriage Certificate: Don’t Confuse the Two
These two documents are often used interchangeably in conversation, but they are legally distinct. The marriage license is the permission slip issued before the wedding, authorizing the ceremony to take place. The marriage certificate is the official record created after the ceremony, once the signed license has been returned to and recorded by the county. Immigration filings, name changes, and most international uses require the certificate — not the pre-wedding license. If your ceremony already took place and you need that recorded document, we handle the certificate request directly with Miami-Dade County on your behalf.
Need a Marriage Officiant Too?
If you still need someone to perform the ceremony itself, we also coordinate licensed marriage officiant services across Miami-Dade and Broward, so the license and the ceremony can be arranged through a single point of contact.
Divorced or Never Married? Special Documentation
If either party was previously married, Florida requires proof of how that marriage ended — a divorce decree or a death certificate for a former spouse. If you have never been married and need to prove that fact for a foreign registry (common for couples marrying abroad), a certificate of non-marriage may be required instead of or alongside your Miami license.
Prefer to Start Online?
Florida allows you to begin the marriage license application online, though both parties must still appear in person to finalize it. If you want the full walkthrough of the online pre-application before you visit the courthouse, see our guide to getting a marriage license online in Florida.
Get Your Miami Marriage License Handled for You
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a marriage license valid in Florida?
A Florida marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. The marriage ceremony must be performed, and the license must be returned to the clerk’s office, before this 60-day window expires start with online pre-application in Florida for the full process.
Do both people need to be present to get a marriage license in Miami?
Yes. Both applicants must apply together in person at the Clerk of Courts office. You cannot send someone else to pick up the license for you.
Can I get married the same day I get my license in Miami?
If neither applicant is a Florida resident (e.g., you are visiting from out of state or another country), there is no waiting period, and you can get married the same day. If either applicant is a Florida resident, there is a 3-day waiting period unless you have completed a state-approved premarital preparation course.
Can a notary public marry us in Florida?
Yes. Under Florida law, a commissioned Notary Public is legally authorized to solemnize the rites of matrimony. The experts at Notary Public Center frequently officiate civil ceremonies and handle the official recording of the document.
Do international couples need a Social Security Number to marry in Miami?
No. Non-U.S. citizens who do not have a Social Security Number can present a valid foreign passport or an Alien Registration Number to apply for a marriage license in Miami.
The information contained in this publication is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading or using this content does not create and is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship. No reader or user should act or refrain from acting based on the information presented herein without first consulting an attorney duly licensed to practice law in their jurisdiction.
