Highlands County Marriage Records Search

Marriage records in Highlands County are kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the courthouse in Sebring. The clerk is the official custodian of all marriage licenses issued in the county. You can request copies of Highlands County marriage records in person, by mail, or by phone. The clerk handles new license applications and provides certified copies of older records. At the state level, the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics holds marriage certificates from June 1927 to the present. Records from before that date are only available through the Highlands County clerk. Both state and county sources can help you find what you need when searching for marriage records from this part of Florida.

Highlands County Clerk of Court

The Highlands County Clerk of the Circuit Court manages marriage license services from the courthouse in Sebring. You can reach the office at (863) 402-6565. Hours are Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Both parties must come to the office together to apply. A valid government photo ID is required for each person. Acceptable forms include a driver license from any state, a U.S. passport, military ID, or a state-issued ID card. U.S. citizens also need to provide their Social Security number when applying at the Highlands County clerk office.

Florida Statutes Chapter 741 governs how marriage licenses work. Section 741.01 gives the clerk authority to issue licenses when there is no legal reason to deny them. Both parties must sign an affidavit with their correct ages, as required by Section 741.04. If you were married before, you have to tell the clerk the exact date your last marriage ended. Both applicants must read the Family Law Handbook from the Florida Bar before they can get a Highlands County marriage license. No residency or citizenship is required.

Marriage License Fees in Highlands County

A Highlands County marriage license costs $86 if you do not take a premarital course. The fee drops to $61 with a course certificate. Under Florida Statute 741.0305, the course must be completed within one year before the application. It also waives the three-day waiting period. Florida residents who skip the course wait three days between getting the license and the ceremony. Non-residents of Florida have no waiting period.

The license is valid for 60 days per Section 741.041. Use it anywhere in the state. After the wedding, the signed license goes back to the Highlands County clerk within 10 days. The clerk records it and sends the data to the state for permanent filing. A ceremony at the clerk office costs $30 if you want one. Section 741.07 lists who can perform the ceremony: ordained ministers, judges, clerks and their deputies, and Florida notaries public.

Certified copies of Highlands County marriage records are available from the clerk office. Fees at most Florida county offices range from about $2.50 to $9 for the first copy. Contact the Highlands County clerk at (863) 402-6565 for exact pricing and payment methods.

Note: The $86 license fee includes a $25 contribution to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund required by Florida law.

Searching Highlands County Marriage Records

The Highlands County clerk office in Sebring handles record searches. There is no public online search portal for Highlands County marriage records at this time. Call (863) 402-6565 or visit the courthouse to request a search. The clerk can look up records by name and date. Under Florida Statutes Chapter 119, marriage records are public. Anyone can request them. Section 119.07 says the custodian must allow inspection and copying at any reasonable time. You do not need a reason to ask for a Highlands County marriage record.

Certain details get redacted from public copies. Section 119.071 protects Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and medical information. Everything else on the marriage record stays open. The My Florida County Records portal is worth trying as well. This state-run site covers official records in many Florida counties and might help you find a Highlands County marriage license without a trip to the courthouse.

State Marriage Certificates for Highlands County

The Florida Department of Health keeps marriage certificates going back to June 6, 1927. These cover every Florida county, Highlands included. A state certificate is an abstract of the marriage license. It shows both names, the marriage date, and the county. The fee is $5 for a one-year search and one certified copy. Extra copies are $4 each. If you do not know the year, each additional year searched costs $2, with a cap at $50.

You can order from the state by mail, walk in at 1217 N Pearl Street in Jacksonville, or go online through VitalChek. VitalChek is the sole contracted vendor. They charge $15 for the state fee plus $7 for processing. UPS shipping costs extra. Under Section 741.09, the Highlands County clerk keeps a correct record of all licenses issued. After recording, the data goes to the state. This transfer takes about 60 days. If you need proof of a very recent Highlands County marriage, contact the clerk directly.

Highlands County License Requirements

Getting a marriage license in Highlands County follows state law. Both applicants must be 18 or older. A 17-year-old can apply with written parental consent, but the other party cannot be more than two years older. Here are the steps:

• Go to the Highlands County clerk office in Sebring with your partner
• Bring valid photo ID and your Social Security number
• Provide the date your last marriage ended if applicable
• Pay $86 or $61 with a premarital course certificate
• Wait three days if you are a Florida resident without a course

The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers directory lists all 67 county clerk offices. You can use it to compare Highlands County procedures with other counties. After the ceremony, the signed license comes back to Highlands County for recording. The couple then gets a free certified copy from the clerk office.

The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics shown above holds marriage certificates for Highlands County from 1927 to the present. Visit the state portal for ordering information and forms.

Nearby Counties

Highlands County sits in central Florida. If your marriage record search leads to a neighboring area, these counties all have their own clerk offices for license and record services.