Lakeland Marriage Records

Marriage records for Lakeland are managed by the Polk County Clerk of Court. The clerk office processes license applications, performs ceremonies, and maintains all marriage documents for the county.

Where to Get a Marriage License in Lakeland

Lakeland is the largest city in Polk County. The Polk County Clerk of Court handles all marriage license business. The main clerk office is at the Polk County Courthouse, 255 North Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL 33830. Bartow is the county seat, about 15 miles east of Lakeland. You can reach the clerk at (863) 534-4000.

Both partners must appear in person at the same time. Bring valid photo ID. A driver license from any state, passport, military ID, or state-issued ID card all work. U.S. citizens need their Social Security number. If either person was married before, bring the date that marriage ended. Expired IDs are not accepted.

Polk County also has branch offices that may handle marriage license applications. Check the clerk website or call ahead to confirm which locations process licenses. The Bartow main office always does. Walk-ins are accepted, and appointments can speed things up during busy times.

The application itself takes about 20 to 30 minutes. The license gets issued the same day. Florida residents then have to wait three days before it becomes active, unless they completed a premarital course. Out-of-state residents can use the license right away.

Lakeland Marriage License Fees

A marriage license costs $86 in Polk County. Take a premarital course and the price drops to $61. The course must be done within a year of applying. Under Florida Statute 741.0305, only courses from approved providers count. Finishing the course also removes the three-day waiting period for Florida residents.

The clerk can perform a civil ceremony for $30. Cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express are accepted. No personal checks. A duplicate license costs $30. If you need to amend a recorded license, that takes a court order and an extra fee.

Certified copies of Polk County marriage records have their own fee. Pricing depends on the type of copy. You can order in person at the courthouse, online through the clerk website, or by mail. Mail requests need a check or money order made out to the Polk County Clerk of Court.

Search Lakeland Marriage Records Online

The Polk County Clerk offers an online records search. You can look up marriage records by name for free. The system shows recording data and both parties. Certified copies cost money, but the basic search does not. The online portal covers decades of records.

Older records that are not in the online system can be requested by phone or in person. Records from before June 6, 1927 exist only at the county level. The state did not begin tracking marriages until that date. For pre-1927 records, contact the Polk County Clerk directly.

The Florida Department of Health keeps state marriage certificates from 1927 to now. A certified copy from the state costs $5, with extras at $4 each. VitalChek processes online orders at $15 plus a $7 fee. For Lakeland marriages, going through the Polk County Clerk is typically cheaper and faster.

Marriage License Process for Lakeland

Here is how the process works for Lakeland residents:

• Both parties go to the Polk County Clerk office together
• Bring valid photo ID and Social Security numbers
• Provide the date any previous marriage ended
• Pay $86 (or $61 with a premarital course)
• Florida residents wait three days unless they took the course
• The license works for 60 days at any location in Florida

The three-day wait applies only to Florida residents. Non-residents can use the license right away. Completing a premarital course waives the wait for everyone. The course provider has to be registered with the state.

Under Florida Statute 741.07, ordained ministers, judges, clerks and deputy clerks, and Florida notaries public can officiate. No witnesses are required by law, though it is a good idea to have at least one. The officiant must sign the license and return it to the clerk within 10 days. The clerk records the marriage and reports the data to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. Full processing takes about 60 days from the ceremony date.

Getting Certified Copies in Lakeland

There are several ways to get certified copies of a Lakeland marriage record. The Polk County Clerk office at 255 North Broadway Avenue in Bartow handles in-person requests. Online ordering is available through the clerk website. You can also send mail requests with a check or money order to the Bartow courthouse.

Polk County marriage records are public under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Anyone can search for or obtain copies. Social Security numbers and certain personal data are removed from public copies. If you need a confidential filing, talk to the clerk about the process under Section 119.071.

Need proof of a recent marriage fast? The county clerk has records sooner than the state office. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics takes roughly 60 days to process the data from the ceremony. The county is your quickest option.

Other Cities in Polk County

Polk County cities all use the same clerk office for marriage records. Select a city for details.