Sarasota Marriage Records

Marriage records for Sarasota residents are kept by the Sarasota County Clerk of Court. The clerk office processes license applications, performs ceremonies, and maintains all recorded marriage documents.

Where to Get a Marriage License in Sarasota

Sarasota is the county seat of Sarasota County. The Sarasota County Clerk of Court handles all marriage license applications at the courthouse in downtown Sarasota. Call (941) 861-7400 for hours and details.

Both parties must appear together with valid photo ID. Accepted forms include driver licenses, 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 office hours. Appointments help reduce the wait. The clerk has an online pre-application. Fill it out before your visit so things go faster at the counter. Since Sarasota is the county seat, the courthouse is centrally located and easy to get to.

Sarasota County is on the Gulf Coast, south of Tampa Bay. The area draws a lot of destination weddings. The clerk office handles applications from both local residents and visitors from out of state. Non-residents can get a license and use it right away with no waiting period.

Sarasota Marriage License Fees

A marriage license costs $86 in Sarasota County. With a premarital course, the fee drops to $61. Under Florida Statute 741.0305, the course must come from an approved provider and be completed within one year. The course also waives the three-day waiting period for Florida residents.

Clerk ceremonies cost $30. The office takes cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. No personal checks. Duplicate licenses run $30. Amendments need a court order plus $30.

Certified copies are $9 for the first copy and $7 for extras. If the marriage year is not known, the clerk charges $2 per year searched. Order copies online, in person, or by mail.

Search Sarasota Marriage Records Online

The Sarasota County Clerk website has an online records search tool. Look up marriage records by name for free. Certified copies have a fee, but the search itself costs nothing.

Records not available online need a call to (941) 861-7400. Staff can check files that have not been digitized. Records before June 6, 1927 exist at the county level only.

The Florida Department of Health stores state marriage certificates from 1927 forward. A search costs $5 for one certified copy plus $4 for extras. VitalChek charges $15 plus $7 processing. For Sarasota marriages, the county clerk is usually the faster route.

Sarasota Marriage License Process

Here is what to do:

• Fill out the pre-application on the Sarasota County clerk website
• Both parties visit the Sarasota 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

Only Florida residents face the three-day wait. Out-of-state couples skip it. The premarital course removes the wait for all applicants. The provider must be state-registered.

Under Florida Statute 741.07, ordained ministers, judges, clerks of court, deputy clerks, and Florida notaries public can officiate. Witnesses are not legally required but recommended. The officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk within 10 days. Recording and forwarding data to the Bureau of Vital Statistics takes about 60 days.

Getting Certified Copies in Sarasota

Certified copies come three ways. Online from the Sarasota County Clerk website is fastest. Pay by credit card and copies get mailed to you. In person at the downtown courthouse is another option. Mail requests need a cashier's check or money order payable to the Clerk of Court.

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

Just married in Sarasota and need proof fast? Head to the county clerk. The state office runs about two months behind due to the recording process after the ceremony.

Other Cities in Sarasota County

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