Sanford Marriage Records

Marriage records in Sanford are filed and kept by the Seminole County Clerk of Court. The clerk office in the Sanford courthouse issues licenses, performs civil ceremonies, and stores all county marriage documents.

Where to Get a Marriage License in Sanford

Sanford is the county seat of Seminole County. The Seminole County Clerk of Court runs the marriage license office out of the Seminole County Civil Courthouse at 301 North Park Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771. This is the main courthouse for all Seminole County marriage business. Both people must come in together with valid photo ID.

Accepted forms of ID include a driver license from any state, a U.S. passport, military ID, or a state-issued ID card. U.S. citizens need to bring a Social Security number. If either person was married before, bring the exact date that marriage ended. The clerk does not accept expired IDs.

Walk-ins are accepted but an appointment helps cut the wait. The clerk office hours are Monday through Friday. Since Sanford is the county seat, the main courthouse here handles the bulk of license requests for the whole county. The staff processes applications on the spot and can usually get you in and out within 30 minutes on a quiet day.

Sanford Marriage License Fees

A marriage license in Seminole County costs $86. Take a premarital course and that drops to $61. The course has to be done within one year of applying. It also gets rid of the three-day waiting period for Florida residents. Under Florida Statute 741.0305, the course must come from a state-approved provider.

Civil ceremonies cost $30. The clerk office takes cash, credit cards, and debit cards. No personal checks. A duplicate license is $30. If you need changes made, amendments need a court order plus an extra fee.

Certified copies of marriage records are available for a fee from the clerk. The cost depends on the type of copy and how far back the record goes. If you are not sure of the exact marriage date, the clerk may charge a search fee per year looked up. In-person, mail, and online requests are all options.

Search Sanford Marriage Records Online

The Seminole County Clerk provides online access to official records including marriage documents. You can search by name to find recorded marriage licenses in the county. The search tool is free to use, though ordering a certified copy costs money. The online system covers records going back several decades.

For older records or ones not showing up online, contact the Seminole County Clerk by phone or visit the Sanford courthouse in person. Records from before June 6, 1927 exist only at the county level because the state did not start tracking marriages until that date.

The Florida Department of Health holds state marriage certificates from 1927 to now. A state search costs $5 for one certified copy. Extra copies are $4 each. You can also order through VitalChek at $15 plus a processing fee. For Sanford marriages, the county clerk is typically faster than the state route.

Marriage License Steps for Sanford Residents

Here is the process for getting a marriage license in Sanford:

• Both parties go to the Seminole County Clerk office in Sanford together
• Bring valid photo ID and Social Security numbers
• Provide the date any previous marriage ended, if applicable
• Pay the $86 fee (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 the state of Florida

Florida residents face a three-day waiting period. Out-of-state residents do not. Taking a premarital course waives the wait for everyone. The course needs to be from a registered provider and finished within a year of the application.

Under Florida Statute 741.07, an ordained minister, judge, clerk, deputy clerk, or Florida notary public can perform the ceremony. Witnesses are not legally required but having a couple is a good idea. The officiant signs the license and sends it back to the clerk within 10 days. After that, the clerk records it and reports the data to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. The full recording process takes about 60 days.

Getting Certified Copies in Sanford

There are a few ways to get certified copies of a Sanford marriage record. Visit the Seminole County Clerk at 301 North Park Avenue in Sanford for in-person requests. Online requests go through the clerk website. Mail requests should include a check or money order made out to the Seminole County Clerk of Court.

Marriage records in Seminole County are public documents under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Anyone can look them up or get copies. Social Security numbers and some personal details get redacted from public copies. If you need confidentiality, ask the clerk about the process under Section 119.071.

If you just got married in Sanford and need proof quickly, go to the county clerk first. The state office takes longer since recording runs about 60 days from the ceremony. The county is your best bet for a fast turnaround.

Other Cities in Seminole County

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