Winter Garden Marriage Records

Marriage records for Winter Garden residents are filed with the Orange County Clerk of Courts. The clerk office in downtown Orlando issues licenses, performs ceremonies, and maintains all marriage records for the county.

Where to Apply for a Marriage License

Winter Garden is in Orange County. Marriage licenses are issued by the Orange County Clerk of Courts at 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801. Their phone number is (407) 836-2000.

There is no clerk branch in Winter Garden. Couples travel to the main courthouse in Orlando, which is roughly 16 miles to the east. Plan on a 20- to 30-minute drive. Walk-ins are accepted but scheduling an appointment ahead can cut your wait time at the counter.

Both people must appear in person at the same time. Bring photo ID. The clerk takes a driver license, passport, state ID, military ID, or naturalization certificate. U.S. citizens need a Social Security number on file. If either person has been married before, come prepared with the date that marriage ended and how it ended.

Marriage License Fees

A standard license is $86. Take a premarital course and pay $61. The course has to happen within one year of your application. Under Florida Statute 741.0305, the course provider needs to be on the state-approved list.

Courthouse ceremonies cost $30. The clerk will marry you on the spot. Cash, credit cards, and debit cards are accepted. No personal checks.

Certified copies of marriage records run $9 for the first and $7 for each additional one. If you do not know the year of the marriage, expect a $2 search fee per year the clerk has to check. You can order copies through the website, at the courthouse, or by mail.

Online Marriage Records for Winter Garden

Orange County has an online search portal on the clerk website. Type in a name and browse marriage records at no charge. The results display both parties and the marriage date. Searching is free. Certified copies ordered online cost money.

The Florida Department of Health also maintains marriage records from 1927 onward. A state search with one certified copy costs $5. Additional copies are $4. You may also use VitalChek, which charges $15 plus processing fees.

The county is the better bet for recent Winter Garden marriages. State records run about 60 days behind the county. Anything older than June 6, 1927 is only available through the county clerk since the state did not track marriages before then.

License Application Steps

Winter Garden couples should follow these steps:

• Submit a pre-application online through the Orange County clerk
• Visit the courthouse together with valid photo ID
• Provide Social Security numbers (U.S. citizens)
• Pay $86 or $61 if you completed a premarital course
• Wait three days if you live in Florida and skipped the course
• Use the license within 60 days in any Florida county

Florida Statute 741.04 imposes a three-day waiting period on Florida residents. People from outside Florida skip this. A premarital course eliminates the wait for all couples. The course has to be from a registered provider and completed within a year of the application.

The license is good for 60 days after it is issued. You can use it anywhere in the state, not just Orange County. After your ceremony, the officiant signs the license and sends it to the clerk within 10 days. The clerk records it and reports to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Officiants and the Ceremony

Florida law lists who can perform a wedding ceremony. Under Section 741.07, ordained ministers, judges, clerks and their deputies, and notaries public licensed in Florida all qualify. The courthouse in Orlando offers clerk-performed ceremonies for $30.

You do not need witnesses under Florida law. Most couples have at least one, but it is not a legal requirement. After the wedding, the officiant must complete the license and return it to the clerk within 10 days. The recording process takes roughly 60 days before it shows in the state system.

Getting Certified Copies

Marriage records are public under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Anyone can view or copy them. Private details like Social Security numbers are redacted.

You can get certified copies online, in person at 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801, or by mail. Mail requests need a cashier's check or money order payable to Orange County Clerk of Courts. For newly married couples, the county clerk provides the fastest access. The state office lags by about 60 days.

Other Cities in Orange County

Every city in Orange County shares the same clerk office. Choose a city for local details on marriage records.