Brandon Marriage Records

Marriage records for Brandon residents are managed by the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court. As an unincorporated community in Hillsborough County, Brandon relies on the main clerk office in Tampa for all marriage license services.

Where Brandon Residents Get a Marriage License

Brandon is part of Hillsborough County. There is no separate marriage license office in Brandon itself. The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court handles everything from the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse at 800 E. Twiggs St., Tampa, FL 33602. The drive from Brandon to the courthouse is roughly 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic.

Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (813) 276-8100 if you need to confirm anything before your trip. Both people must show up at the same time with valid photo ID. A driver license, passport, military ID, or state-issued ID card all work. You will also need your Social Security number.

If either person was married before, bring proof of how that marriage ended. A final divorce decree or a death certificate is what the clerk needs. Have the exact date ready.

Marriage License Fees for Brandon

The fee is $86 for a marriage license in Hillsborough County. Couples who complete a premarital preparation course pay $61 instead. The course must be from a state-approved provider and done within one year of the application. Under Florida Statutes Chapter 741, the course also waives the three-day waiting period.

Want a ceremony at the clerk office? That costs $30. The clerk takes cash and credit cards. Personal checks are not accepted. A duplicate copy of the license is $30.

Certified copies of recorded marriage documents are $5 for the first and $4 for each one after that. If you need an older record and are not sure of the year, the clerk may charge a search fee per year checked.

How to Search Brandon Marriage Records

The Hillsborough County Clerk marriage and divorce records page explains how to look up and order copies. You can search the clerk's database for recorded marriages. The search itself is free. Getting a certified copy costs the fees listed above.

For statewide records, the Florida Department of Health has marriage certificates going back to 1927. A state search and certified copy costs $5, with $4 for each extra copy. VitalChek also offers Florida marriage record orders online for $15 plus processing fees.

The county route is typically faster for Brandon marriages. State records take longer because the clerk does not send the data to Tallahassee until after recording, which can take 60 days from the ceremony date.

Steps to Get a Marriage License Near Brandon

Follow these steps to get your license:

• Complete the pre-application online through the Hillsborough County Clerk website
• Gather photo ID and Social Security number for both parties
• Drive to the Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa
• Both parties appear together at the clerk counter
• Pay $86 (or $61 with premarital course proof)
• Wait three days if you are a Florida resident without the course certificate
• The license is good for 60 days and works anywhere in Florida

Non-residents of Florida skip the waiting period entirely. Florida residents can also avoid it by taking a premarital course beforehand. The course runs about four hours and covers communication, conflict management, and finances.

Who can perform the ceremony? Florida law says ordained ministers, judges, clerks and their deputies, and notaries public. After the ceremony, the officiant has 10 days to sign the license and return it to the clerk for recording. The clerk then sends the info to the state.

Requesting Certified Copies from Brandon

Brandon residents have three options for getting certified copies. Visit the courthouse in Tampa in person for the fastest service. Mail a written request with both names, the approximate date, and payment to the Hillsborough County Clerk at 800 E. Twiggs St., Tampa, FL 33602. Or contact the clerk by phone at (813) 276-8100 to ask about current mail-in procedures.

All marriage records in Hillsborough County are public under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Anyone can request a copy. Personal data like Social Security numbers is redacted before release. If you need confidentiality protections, the clerk can explain what options the law provides.

Need proof of a recent marriage fast? Go to the county clerk in Tampa first. The state takes much longer since it can be two months before a new marriage shows up in the statewide system.

Other Cities in Hillsborough County

Every city in Hillsborough County goes through the same clerk office for marriage records. Select another city for local info.