DeSoto County Marriage Records
DeSoto County marriage records are filed and kept at the Clerk of the Circuit Court office in Arcadia. The clerk handles all marriage license applications, ceremonies, and certified copy requests for DeSoto County residents and visitors who choose to marry here. You can search for DeSoto County marriage records by visiting the clerk office in person or requesting copies through the state. Whether you need a license to get married or want a copy of an old record, the DeSoto County clerk is the place to start. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics also holds DeSoto County marriage certificates from June 1927 forward.
DeSoto County Quick Facts
DeSoto County Clerk of Court
The DeSoto County Clerk of the Circuit Court runs the marriage license office out of the courthouse in Arcadia. Both people who want to get married must show up at the same time. Bring a valid photo ID like a driver license or passport. U.S. citizens also need their Social Security number. If either person was married before, you must know the exact date that marriage ended. The DeSoto County clerk will have you both sign an affidavit as part of the process. No blood test is needed in Florida. There is no residency rule either, so anyone from any state or country can get a DeSoto County marriage license.
The clerk office is at the DeSoto County Courthouse in downtown Arcadia. Call (863) 993-4876 for current hours and to ask about any forms you might need to bring. Walk-ins are usually welcome, but calling first can save time. The staff can answer questions about DeSoto County marriage records and help you fill out the application on site.
| Office | DeSoto County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Location | DeSoto County Courthouse, Arcadia, FL |
| Phone | (863) 993-4876 |
| License Fee | $86.00 (without course) / $61.00 (with course) |
| Ceremony Fee | $30.00 |
Marriage License Fees in DeSoto County
A marriage license in DeSoto County costs $86 without a premarital course. That drops to $61 if both parties complete an approved premarital preparation course before they apply. The course must be taken within one year of the application date under Florida Statutes Chapter 741, Section 741.0305. On top of the fee reduction, the course waives the three-day waiting period that Florida residents face. Non-Florida residents do not have a waiting period at all and can use the DeSoto County license the same day.
The license stays good for 60 days. Use it anywhere in Florida. After the ceremony, the officiant signs it and the couple must return it to the DeSoto County clerk within 10 days. The clerk records it into the official records and sends the data to the state. One free certified copy goes to the couple after recording.
Ceremonies at the clerk office cost $30. The DeSoto County clerk or a deputy can perform the ceremony. Under Section 741.07, ordained ministers, judges, and Florida notaries public can also officiate. No witnesses are legally required, but having one or two is common practice.
Note: DeSoto County accepts cash and money orders for marriage license fees, so call ahead to check on credit card availability.
Get Certified Copies of DeSoto County Records
You can get a certified copy of a DeSoto County marriage license from the clerk office in Arcadia. Go in person or send a written request by mail. Include the full names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and your payment. Certified copies cost a few dollars at most Florida clerk offices. The DeSoto County clerk can tell you the exact fee when you call.
The Florida Department of Health also has DeSoto County marriage certificates on file from June 6, 1927 to the present. The state charges $5 for a search of one year plus one certified copy. Each extra copy is $4. Mail your request to the Bureau of Vital Statistics at P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042. You can also order through VitalChek, the only contracted online vendor. VitalChek charges $15 for the state fee plus $7 for processing. Any DeSoto County marriage from before June 1927 can only be found at the local clerk office since the state did not keep records that far back.
The Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville handles mail and walk-in requests. Processing takes 3 to 5 business days for records from 1970 onward. Older DeSoto County marriage records take longer because they are stored in a different format.
DeSoto County Marriage Record Laws
Marriage records in DeSoto County are public under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Anyone can ask to see them. You do not need to be a spouse or a relative. Section 119.07 says that every custodian of public records must allow inspection and copying at any reasonable time. The fee for a plain copy is capped at 15 cents per page. A certified copy costs $1 under state law, though clerk offices may charge a higher fee for the full certification process.
Some information gets redacted. Social Security numbers and bank account details are removed from public copies under Section 119.071. The rest of the DeSoto County marriage record stays open. Section 741.09 of the Florida Statutes requires the DeSoto County clerk to keep a correct record of every marriage license issued. This is how the county builds its permanent archive of marriage records. The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers website has a directory that links to all 67 county clerk offices including DeSoto County.
Search DeSoto County Marriage Records Online
DeSoto County does not have a large online portal for searching marriage records. Smaller counties in Florida often have limited digital access. Your best bet for an online search is the My Florida County Records portal, which covers official records across many Florida counties. You can also check the state vital records system through VitalChek if you need a certified copy mailed to you.
The Florida Department of Health marriage certificates page explains how to request records by mail or online. For DeSoto County marriage records that were filed before the digital era, you may need to visit the clerk in Arcadia to search through older files. The clerk staff can look up records by name and date range. Bring as much information as you can to speed up the search.
The Florida Department of Health portal shows the full process for ordering DeSoto County marriage certificates from the state level.
This state portal covers all 67 counties including DeSoto County and processes mail requests in 3 to 5 business days.
DeSoto County Marriage License Process
Getting married in DeSoto County starts with a trip to the clerk office. Both parties walk in together. You fill out the application and provide your IDs. The clerk takes your fee and issues the license. Florida residents must then wait three days before the ceremony unless they took a premarital course. Out-of-state couples can marry right away.
After the ceremony, the signed license goes back to the DeSoto County clerk. This must happen within 10 days. The clerk records it and sends a copy to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. That state filing process takes about 60 days. If you need proof of your DeSoto County marriage before the state has it on file, contact the clerk in Arcadia directly. They will have the record sooner than the state office in Jacksonville. Both parties should also read the Family Law Handbook from the Florida Bar before applying. The DeSoto County clerk can provide a copy of this handbook at the time of application.
The VitalChek ordering portal is the fastest online option for getting certified copies of DeSoto County marriage records from the state.
VitalChek is the only vendor approved by the Florida Department of Health for online orders of marriage certificates.
Note: DeSoto County marriage licenses are valid for 60 days and can be used for a ceremony anywhere in Florida.
Nearby Counties
If you are looking for marriage records in the area around DeSoto County, these neighboring counties may also have the records you need. Each one has its own Clerk of the Circuit Court that handles marriage licenses and certified copies.