Lakeside Marriage Records

Marriage records for Lakeside are filed through the Clay County Clerk of Court. The clerk office handles all license applications, ceremonies, and record searches for the entire county.

How to Get a Marriage License in Lakeside

Lakeside is a census-designated place in Clay County. There is no separate marriage license office in Lakeside. The Clay County Clerk of Court handles all marriage license business at the courthouse in Green Cove Springs, the county seat. Call (904) 284-6302 for hours and directions.

Both parties must appear together with valid photo ID. Accepted IDs include driver licenses from any state, passports, military IDs, state ID cards, alien registration cards, and naturalization certificates. U.S. citizens need a Social Security number. If either person was married before, bring the date the prior marriage ended.

Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. Making an appointment ahead of time can help you avoid a wait. The clerk also has a pre-application form online. Fill it out before your trip to Green Cove Springs so the process moves faster at the counter.

Lakeside sits in the northern part of Clay County, close to the Jacksonville metro area. The drive to the Green Cove Springs courthouse is about 20 minutes depending on where in Lakeside you are. Plan for about 30 to 45 minutes at the office once you get there.

Lakeside Marriage License Fees

Clay County charges $86 for a marriage license. Taking a premarital course drops the fee to $61. The course must be completed within one year of applying and come from an approved provider. Under Florida Statute 741.0305, the course also waives the three-day waiting period.

If you want the clerk to perform your ceremony, that is $30. Cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express are accepted. No personal checks. Duplicate licenses run $30. Amendments need a court order plus $30.

Certified copies cost $9 for the first and $7 for each one after that. Not sure when a marriage took place? The clerk charges $2 per year searched. Copies can be ordered online, in person, or by mail.

Search Lakeside Marriage Records Online

The Clay County Clerk website has an online records search tool. Search by name for free. Certified copies cost money, but basic record lookups do not.

Records not in the online system need a phone call or in-person visit. Contact (904) 284-6302 for help with older records. Records before June 6, 1927 exist only at the county level since the state did not collect marriage data before that date.

The Florida Department of Health stores state marriage certificates from 1927 forward. A state search costs $5 for one certified copy plus $4 for each extra. VitalChek is another route at $15 plus a $7 processing fee. For Lakeside marriages, the Clay County Clerk is usually quicker.

Marriage License Steps for Lakeside Residents

Here is what to do:

• Complete the pre-application on the Clay County clerk website
• Both parties go to the Green Cove Springs courthouse with photo ID
• Provide Social Security numbers (U.S. citizens)
• Pay $86 (or $61 with premarital course proof)
• Wait three days if you are a Florida resident without the course
• Use the license within 60 days anywhere in Florida

The three-day wait applies to Florida residents only. Out-of-state couples can use the license right away. The premarital course removes the wait for all applicants. Course providers must be registered with the state.

Under Florida Statute 741.07, ordained ministers, judges, clerks of court, deputy clerks, and Florida notaries public can perform ceremonies. Witnesses are not required by law but are a good idea. The officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk within 10 days. The clerk records it and sends data to the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Processing takes around 60 days.

Certified Copies of Lakeside Marriage Records

Get certified copies three ways. Online through the Clay County Clerk website is fastest. Pay by credit card and copies ship to your address. In-person requests go to the courthouse in Green Cove Springs. Mail requests need a cashier's check or money order made out to the Clerk of Court.

Marriage records in Clay County are public under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Anyone can look them up. Social Security numbers and certain personal info are redacted. If you need confidential filing, ask about the form under Section 119.071.

Need proof of a Lakeside marriage right away? The county clerk is your best bet. The state office runs about two months behind because of the recording process after the ceremony.

Other Cities in Clay County

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