Access Miami Beach Marriage Records
Miami Beach marriage records are handled through the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court. Whether you need a license, a certified copy, or want to search existing records, the county clerk office is the place to go.
Miami Beach Marriage Records Quick Facts
Where Miami Beach Residents Apply for a Marriage License
Miami Beach is in Miami-Dade County. There is no separate marriage license office on Miami Beach. The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court handles everything. The main office address is Overtown Transit Village South, 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136. Call (786) 469-2400 with questions.
Miami Beach is a popular spot for weddings, and many couples come from out of state. The clerk process is the same for everyone. Both partners appear together with valid photo ID. Accepted IDs include driver licenses, passports, military IDs, state identification cards, alien registration cards, and naturalization certificates. U.S. citizens need a Social Security number. If you were married before, have the date your prior marriage ended ready.
Miami-Dade County has six district court locations. Any one of them handles marriage license applications. The main downtown office is the closest to Miami Beach, just across the causeway. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Walk-ins are fine. Appointments are available too. During peak wedding season, an appointment can save a lot of time.
Miami Beach Marriage License Fees
A standard license costs $86. With proof of a premarital course, the price drops to $61. Florida Statute 741.0305 says the course needs to be done within one year of your application and come from a registered provider. Taking the course also waives the three-day waiting period.
The clerk office can perform a ceremony for $30. They accept cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. No personal checks allowed. Duplicate licenses are $30, and any amendments require a court order plus $30.
Certified copies of a Miami Beach marriage record are $9 for the first copy and $7 for each one after. If the date of the marriage is unknown, a $2 per year search fee applies.
Online Search for Miami Beach Marriage Records
Use the Miami-Dade Online Marriage License Bureau to look up records for free. The database has records from 1971 to now. You can search by name or license number. Results display both party names and the marriage date. Available 24/7.
Records before 1971 need to be requested directly from the clerk at (786) 469-2400. Anything before June 6, 1927 only exists at the county level. The state began collecting marriage records on that date.
The Florida Department of Health keeps state marriage certificates from 1927 forward. State copies cost $5 for the first, $4 for additional. VitalChek charges $15 plus $7 processing. For Miami Beach marriages, going to the county is usually quicker and cheaper than the state route.
How to Get Married in Miami Beach
Follow these steps to get your Miami Beach marriage license:
- Fill out the pre-application on the Miami-Dade clerk website
- Both parties visit any clerk location in person with photo ID
- U.S. citizens provide Social Security numbers
- Pay $86 (or $61 with premarital course proof)
- Wait three days if you are a Florida resident and skipped the course
- Use the license anywhere in Florida within 60 days
Out-of-state couples have no waiting period at all. This makes Miami Beach a convenient spot for destination weddings. Florida residents can eliminate the wait by finishing an approved premarital course.
Florida Statute 741.07 authorizes ordained ministers, judges, clerks of court, deputy clerks, and Florida notary publics to officiate. No witnesses are required under state law, but you might want to have them anyway. The officiant signs and returns the license to the clerk within 10 days after the ceremony. The clerk records it and sends the information to the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Allow about 60 days for the whole recording process.
Certified Copies for Miami Beach Marriages
You can order certified copies three ways. The online certified copies page is fastest. Pay by credit card and copies ship to you. In person, go to the Marriage License Bureau at 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136. By mail, send a cashier's check or money order made out to Clerk of the Courts.
Marriage records in Miami-Dade are public under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Anyone can access them. Sensitive details like Social Security numbers are redacted. If you need a confidential filing, the clerk has a form for that under Section 119.071.
Got married recently in Miami Beach? Go to the county clerk for the fastest official copies. State records can lag about 60 days behind the county.
Other Cities in Miami-Dade County
All Miami-Dade County cities use the same clerk office. Select another city for local marriage record details.