Search Cape Coral Marriage Records

Marriage records for Cape Coral are filed and kept by the Lee County Clerk of Courts. All license applications, ceremonies, and certified copy requests go through the clerk office in Fort Myers.

Where to Get a Marriage License in Cape Coral

Cape Coral sits in Lee County. There is no marriage license office inside Cape Coral city limits. Instead, couples go to the Lee County Clerk of Courts main office at 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33901. The phone number is (239) 533-5007. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Both people must appear together. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver license, passport, or state ID card. You also need your Social Security number. If either person was married before, you must know the exact date the prior marriage ended. Divorced people should have that final judgment date ready. The clerk will ask for it on the application.

Cape Coral is the largest city in Lee County by population. Despite its size, the county clerk handles all marriage license work from the Fort Myers courthouse. Plan for about a 20 to 30 minute drive from most parts of Cape Coral to get there. The process itself takes around 30 minutes once you arrive.

Cape Coral Marriage License Fees

The license fee is $86. If both people complete a premarital preparation course, the fee drops to $61. The course must be finished within 12 months of applying. It has to come from a provider registered with the state under Florida Statute Chapter 741. Taking the course also removes the three-day waiting period for Florida residents.

Payment options include cash, credit cards, and debit cards. Personal checks are not accepted. If you need a ceremony at the clerk office, the fee is $30. The clerk can marry you right there on the same day if the waiting period does not apply to you.

Certified copies of a marriage record from Lee County cost $7 each. Extra copies ordered at the same time are $5 per copy. These fees can change, so call the clerk office first to confirm current pricing.

Search Cape Coral Marriage Records Online

Lee County provides an online records search through the clerk website. You can look up marriage records by name and date. The search tool covers records going back several decades. Basic search results are free to view. Certified copies cost extra and can be ordered through the site or in person.

The Florida Department of Health also keeps marriage certificates dating back to June 6, 1927. The state charges $5 for a search and one certified copy. Each additional copy costs $4 more. You can order from the state online or by mail. For Cape Coral marriages, the Lee County clerk office is usually faster since the state can take several weeks to process requests.

Another option is VitalChek, which works as an authorized vendor for Florida vital records. Their fee is $15 plus a processing charge. It is a good choice if you want to pay by credit card and have copies mailed to you without visiting the courthouse.

Marriage License Steps for Cape Coral Residents

The process is simple. Here is what to do:

• Both parties go to the Lee County Clerk of Courts in Fort Myers
• Bring valid photo ID and Social Security numbers
• Provide divorce dates if previously married
• Pay the $86 fee (or $61 with premarital course)
• Wait three days if you are a Florida resident without a course certificate
• Use the license within 60 days anywhere in Florida

Florida residents face a three-day waiting period. This rule comes from Florida Statute 741.04. Out-of-state couples skip the wait entirely. The premarital course waiver works for both residents and non-residents. Once issued, the license is good for 60 days. You can use it in any Florida county, not just Lee.

Under Section 741.07, anyone who is an ordained minister, a judge, a clerk or deputy clerk, or a Florida notary public can perform the ceremony. No witnesses are legally required in Florida. After the wedding, the person who officiated must sign the license and return it to the issuing clerk within 10 days. The clerk then records it and sends the information to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Getting Certified Copies in Cape Coral

You can get certified copies three ways. In person at the Lee County Clerk office in Fort Myers is the fastest. Bring your ID and request the copy at the recording department window. By mail, send a written request with a check or money order to the Lee County Clerk of Courts at 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33901. Online ordering is available through the clerk website.

Marriage records in Florida are public records under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Anyone can request a copy. Sensitive details like Social Security numbers are blacked out on public copies. If you have a court order for confidentiality, the clerk can restrict access to your record.

For recent marriages, contact Lee County first. The state office in Jacksonville takes about 60 days to process new records after the ceremony. So if you just got married last month, the county clerk is your best bet for a quick copy.

Other Cities in Lee County

All cities in Lee County use the same clerk office for marriage records. Pick a city below for local details.