Find Marriage Records in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale marriage records are managed by the Broward County Clerk of Courts. As the county seat, Fort Lauderdale is home to the main clerk office where couples apply for licenses and where all Broward County marriage documents are stored.

Where to Get a Marriage License in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is in Broward County. The Broward County Clerk of Courts handles all marriage license services at the Central Courthouse, Midrise Building, 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Room 02460, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. This is the main location for marriage licenses in the county. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The phone number is (954) 831-7283.

Walk-ins only. No appointments are needed or taken. Both people must show up at the same time with valid photo ID. The clerk accepts a driver license, passport, state ID card, military ID, or alien registration card. If either person was married before, you need the exact date the prior marriage ended. U.S. citizens must provide a Social Security number.

Since Fort Lauderdale is the county seat, the clerk office here is the busiest in Broward County. Going early in the day helps cut wait times. The office processes hundreds of marriage license applications each month from Fort Lauderdale residents and people across the county.

Fort Lauderdale Marriage License Fees

A marriage license in Fort Lauderdale costs $86. If both parties complete a premarital course, the fee drops to $61. The course must be finished within one year of applying for the license. It also waives the three-day waiting period for Florida residents. Under Florida Statutes Chapter 741, the premarital course has to come from a registered provider.

The clerk charges $30 for a ceremony. Cash and major credit cards are accepted. No personal checks. Certified copies of a Fort Lauderdale marriage record cost $3 each. You can get copies at the clerk office in person or by mail.

If you need to amend a marriage record, the clerk requires a court order plus a fee. Duplicate licenses are also available for a charge. Call the clerk office for current rates on those services.

Search Fort Lauderdale Marriage Records

The Broward County Clerk records request portal lets you search for marriage records. Broward County has kept marriage records since 1915. You can look up records by name. Results show both parties and the date of the marriage. The search itself is free.

For older records or records not found online, visit the clerk office in Fort Lauderdale in person. Staff can search archived files that may not be in the digital system. Certified copies from the clerk are $3 each and can be picked up or mailed to you.

The Florida Department of Health also keeps state marriage records from June 6, 1927 to now. The state charges $5 for a search and one copy, plus $4 for each extra copy. You can order through VitalChek too, though processing fees apply. For Fort Lauderdale marriages, the county clerk is usually the faster and cheaper option.

How to Get a Marriage License in Fort Lauderdale

Here is what Fort Lauderdale couples need to do step by step:

• Go to the Broward County Clerk office at 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale
• Bring valid photo ID and Social Security number
• Both parties must appear together
• Pay $86 (or $61 with premarital course proof)
• 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. Non-residents do not wait. A premarital course waives this for everyone. The course needs to be from a registered provider and finished within one year of the application. Minors aged 17 need parental consent. No one under 17 can get a marriage license in Florida.

The clerk can also perform the ceremony right at the Fort Lauderdale courthouse for $30. Under Florida Statute 741.07, ordained ministers, judges, clerks and their deputies, and Florida notaries public can all officiate. No witnesses are legally required by state law, but having them is a good idea. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk within 10 days.

Getting Certified Copies of Fort Lauderdale Marriage Records

You can get certified copies of a Fort Lauderdale marriage record in person at the clerk office. Visit the Central Courthouse at 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Each certified copy costs $3. You can also request copies by mail by sending a written request to the same address along with payment.

Marriage records in Broward County are public records under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Anyone can request a copy. Certain details like Social Security numbers are redacted from public copies. If you need a copy for legal purposes such as a name change, immigration paperwork, or insurance claims, the certified version from the clerk is what you want.

If you just got married in Fort Lauderdale, go to the county clerk first. The state office takes longer since the recording process runs about 60 days after the ceremony. The clerk office in Fort Lauderdale can often provide copies much sooner than the state.

Other Cities in Broward County

All cities in Broward County use the same clerk office for marriage records. Select a city below for more local details.