Pace Marriage Records

Marriage records for Pace are managed by the Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court. The clerk office handles license applications, ceremonies, and record storage for the whole county.

Where to Get a Marriage License in Pace

Pace is a census-designated place in Santa Rosa County. There is no separate marriage license office in Pace. The Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court processes all applications at the courthouse in Milton, the county seat. Call (850) 981-5555 for hours and directions.

Both people must come in 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 last marriage ended.

Walk-ins are accepted during office hours. Appointments can cut your wait time. The clerk has a pre-application form online. Fill it out before your visit and the process goes faster. Milton is a short drive east from Pace, about 10 to 15 minutes on Highway 90.

Santa Rosa County sits just east of Pensacola in the Florida panhandle. Pace is one of the most populated areas in the county. Many residents work at nearby military installations, and military IDs are accepted for the license application.

Pace Marriage License Fees

Santa Rosa County charges $86 for a marriage license. A premarital course brings the fee down to $61. The course needs to be from an approved provider and done within one year. Under Florida Statute 741.0305, the course also waives the three-day waiting period.

The clerk charges $30 for a ceremony. Cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express are accepted. No personal checks. Duplicate licenses cost $30. Amendments require a court order plus $30.

Certified copies are $9 for the first and $7 for each additional copy. A $2 search fee per year applies if the marriage date is unknown. Get copies online, in person, or by mail.

Search Pace Marriage Records Online

The Santa Rosa County Clerk website has an online records search. Search by name for free. Certified copies have a fee, but basic record lookups cost nothing.

Records not in the online database may need a phone call. Contact (850) 981-5555 for help with older records. Records before June 6, 1927 exist only at the county level.

The Florida Department of Health has state marriage records from 1927 to the present. A state search costs $5 for one certified copy plus $4 for extras. VitalChek charges $15 plus $7 processing. For Pace area marriages, the county clerk is usually quicker.

Marriage License Process for Pace

Steps for Pace residents:

• Complete the pre-application on the Santa Rosa County clerk website
• Both parties visit the Milton courthouse with valid photo ID
• Provide Social Security numbers (U.S. citizens)
• Pay $86 (or $61 with a premarital course certificate)
• 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 is for Florida residents only. Out-of-state couples skip it. The premarital course removes the wait for all applicants. The course provider 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 legally required but are a good idea. The officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk within 10 days. The clerk records the marriage and sends data to the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Processing takes about 60 days.

Certified Copies of Pace Marriage Records

Get copies three ways. Online through the Santa Rosa County Clerk website is the fastest option. Pay by credit card and copies ship to you. In person at the Milton courthouse works too. Mail requests need a cashier's check or money order payable to the Clerk of Court.

Santa Rosa County marriage records are public under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Anyone can search or request copies. Social Security numbers are redacted from public records. For confidential filing, ask about the form under Section 119.071.

Need proof of a recent Pace marriage? Go to the county clerk first. The state office runs about two months behind because of the recording process after the ceremony.

Other Cities in Santa Rosa County

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