Florida marriage records are publicly accessible, with various options for obtaining them online, both for free and for a fee.
According to the Florida Department of Health, marriage certificates from June 6, 1927, to the present are available through the Bureau of Vital Statistics, while earlier records can be accessed through county clerks and online databases.
Free Access Sources
Several free online sources provide access to Florida marriage records:
- County clerk websites offer free viewing of marriage records, such as Hillsborough County’s system for records from 1972 to the present.
- The University of South Florida hosts some historical marriage records for Tampa and Hillsborough County.
- FamilySearch.org provides free access to extensive Florida marriage record collections:
- 1830-1993 (571,766 records)
- 1822-1875 and 1927-2001 (11,718,373 records)
- 1837-1974 (859,969 records)
These resources allow researchers to view marriage information without charge, though obtaining certified copies typically requires payment through official channels.
Marriage Record Details
Marriage records in Florida typically contain comprehensive information about the union, including the full names of both parties, date and location of the marriage, names of parents, dates of birth for both spouses, and names of witnesses. This detailed documentation serves various purposes, such as proving marital status for legal matters, changing names, filing taxes, or applying for loans. It’s important to note that while viewing records online may be free, obtaining certified copies requires payment and must be done through official channels like the Florida Department of Health or county clerks.
Online Search Requirements
To search for Florida marriage records online, users typically need to provide specific information:
- Full names of both spouses (including maiden names if applicable)
- Approximate date of marriage
- County where the license was issued
Some systems, like the Miami-Dade County Clerk’s online search, allow viewing of records from 1971 to 1995 but require mail orders for certificates. For marriages prior to 1971, requests must be made by mail with additional details such as the groom/spouse name, bride/spouse maiden name, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. When the exact year is unknown, searchers may need to specify a date range, which can incur additional search fees.
Certified Copies and Historical Records
Obtaining certified copies of marriage records requires payment and can be done through official channels like the Florida Department of Health or county clerks. The cost for a certified copy is typically $9 for the first copy and $7 for each additional copy, with an extra $2 per year search fee if the exact year is unknown. For historical records, marriages prior to June 6, 1927, are only available from the Clerk of Circuit Court where the license was issued. Some counties, like Miami-Dade, offer electronic certified copies through their eCertify service, available 24/7 for more recent records.