Search Tampa Marriage Records

Marriage records in Tampa are filed and kept by the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court. The clerk office at the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa handles all license applications, ceremonies, and record requests for the county.

Where to Get a Marriage License in Tampa

Tampa is the county seat of Hillsborough County. The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court runs the marriage license office at the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse, 800 E. Twiggs St., Tampa, FL 33602. This is the main courthouse for all marriage license business in the county. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (813) 276-8100 for questions.

Both people must come in together. Bring valid photo ID like a driver license, passport, or state-issued ID card. You also need your Social Security number. If you were married before, bring the final divorce decree or death certificate showing how that marriage ended. The clerk needs the exact date.

Tampa residents can also use the clerk's online pre-application to save time at the counter. Fill out the forms ahead of your visit, then just show up with your documents. The process takes about 20 to 30 minutes once you are at the window.

Tampa Marriage License Fees

The license fee is $86 in Hillsborough County. If both parties take a premarital course from an approved provider, the fee drops to $61. The course also waives the three-day waiting period that Florida law requires for state residents. Under Florida Statutes Chapter 741, the course must be completed within one year before the application date.

A ceremony at the clerk office costs $30. The clerk accepts cash, credit cards, and debit cards. No personal checks are accepted. If you need a duplicate license, that runs $30 as well.

Certified copies of a marriage record cost $5 for the first copy. Each extra copy is $4 more. The clerk also charges a small search fee if you don't know the exact year of the marriage you are looking for.

Search Tampa Marriage Records Online

The Hillsborough County Clerk marriage records page has information on how to search and request copies. The clerk's online system lets you look up recorded marriage documents. Results show both names and the date of the marriage. Searching is free, but certified copies cost money.

Records before June 6, 1927 are only held at the county level. The state did not start collecting marriage data until that date. For anything older, you need to contact the Hillsborough County Clerk directly or check with the county archives.

The Florida Department of Health keeps statewide marriage certificates from 1927 forward. The state charges $5 for a search and one certified copy, plus $4 for each extra. You can also order through VitalChek at $15 plus processing fees. For Tampa marriages, going through the county clerk is usually faster and cheaper.

Marriage License Steps for Tampa Residents

Here is the basic process to follow:

• Fill out the online pre-application on the Hillsborough County Clerk website
• Bring valid photo ID and your Social Security number
• Both people must appear together in person at the courthouse
• 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

Florida residents have a three-day waiting period under state law. Out-of-state residents do not have to wait. Taking a state-approved premarital course removes the waiting period for everyone. The course must come from an approved provider and be done within one year of applying.

Under Florida Statutes Section 741.07, licensed ministers, judges, clerks and their deputies, and notaries public can perform the ceremony. No witnesses are legally required by the state, but having one or two is a good idea. After the ceremony, the person who performs it must sign the license and return it to the clerk within 10 days. The clerk records it and sends the data to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Getting Certified Copies in Tampa

You can get certified copies of a Tampa marriage record a few ways. In person at the Edgecomb Courthouse on E. Twiggs Street is the quickest. Bring your ID and the names of both parties. By mail, send a written request with the names, approximate date, and a check or money order to the clerk's office at 800 E. Twiggs St., Tampa, FL 33602.

Marriage records in Hillsborough County are public records under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Anyone can look at or copy them. Certain personal details like Social Security numbers are blacked out. If you have a legal reason to keep your records private, ask the clerk about the confidentiality request process.

If you just got married in Tampa and need proof quickly, visit the county clerk first. The state office takes longer since the recording process can run 60 days or more after the ceremony date.

Other Cities in Hillsborough County

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