Holmes County Marriage Records

Marriage records for Holmes County are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the courthouse in Bonifay. The clerk office issues marriage licenses, performs ceremonies, and keeps the official files for all marriages that took place in Holmes County. To find a marriage record, you can call the clerk, visit the office, or send a written request. Copies of Holmes County marriage records are available for a fee. The Florida Department of Health also holds state marriage certificates going back to June 1927 for every county. Records from before that time are only at the Holmes County clerk office. If you are looking for a marriage license or certificate from Holmes County, the clerk in Bonifay is where you should start.

Holmes County Clerk of Court

The Holmes County Clerk of the Circuit Court operates out of the courthouse in Bonifay. Call (850) 547-1100 for questions about marriage licenses or records. The office is open on weekdays. Both parties must come in together to apply for a marriage license. Bring a valid photo ID. The clerk accepts a driver license, passport, U.S. military ID, or state ID card. U.S. citizens need their Social Security number. If you have been married before, know the exact date your last marriage ended.

Under Florida Statutes Chapter 741, the Holmes County clerk has authority to issue licenses when no legal barrier exists. Section 741.04 requires an affidavit signed by both people with their true ages. The Family Law Handbook from the Florida Bar must be read before the application. No residency is needed. A Holmes County license works for a ceremony anywhere in the state of Florida.

Note: Walk-in service is the standard at the Holmes County clerk office for marriage license applications.

Holmes County Marriage License Costs

A marriage license in Holmes County is $86. With a premarital course certificate, the fee goes down to $61. Florida Statute 741.0305 provides the discount and also waives the three-day waiting period for Florida residents who complete the course. The course has to be done within one year of applying. Non-residents of Florida skip the waiting period regardless of whether they take a course. After paying the fee and meeting all requirements at the Holmes County clerk office in Bonifay, you get a license that is valid for 60 days.

Section 741.041 sets the 60-day window. Use the license anywhere in the state. A clerk office ceremony in Holmes County costs $30. Section 741.07 lists who else can perform the ceremony: ministers, judges, and notaries public of Florida. After the wedding, the signed license must come back to the Holmes County clerk within 10 days for recording.

Searching Holmes County Marriage Records

Holmes County does not have a public online search tool for marriage records. To find a Holmes County marriage record, call the clerk at (850) 547-1100 or visit the courthouse in Bonifay. The staff can search by name and date. Florida law makes marriage records public. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives anyone the right to inspect and copy public records. Section 119.07 spells out this right. You do not need to be related to the people on the record or give a reason for your request.

Social Security numbers and bank details are redacted under Section 119.071. Everything else stays public. For a broader search, the My Florida County Records portal covers official records in many Florida counties. The Florida Department of Health is another source. The state has marriage certificates from June 6, 1927 to now for all counties, including Holmes. The state fee is $5 for a one-year search and one copy. Online orders through VitalChek cost $15 plus $7 processing.

Getting Copies of Holmes County Records

Certified copies of Holmes County marriage licenses come from the clerk office in Bonifay. Call ahead to confirm the fee. At most Florida county offices, the first certified copy runs between $2.50 and $9. You can request copies in person or by mail. Include both spouse names and the marriage date in your request. Under Section 741.09, the Holmes County clerk keeps a correct record of all licenses issued. After a ceremony, the clerk records the completed license and sends the data to the state.

If you want a state-issued certificate instead, go through the Bureau of Vital Statistics. The state office sits at 1217 N Pearl Street in Jacksonville. Walk-in hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Mail orders go to P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042. Send a check or money order payable to Vital Statistics. State processing runs 3 to 5 business days for records from 1970 on. Older files take longer. The certificate proves the Holmes County marriage was recorded and is accepted for most legal purposes.

Note: The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers directory lists all 67 county clerk offices for quick reference.

Holmes County License Requirements

Both people must be at least 18 to get a marriage license in Holmes County without parental consent. A 17-year-old can apply with written consent from both parents, as long as the other party is not more than two years older. The requirements apply across every county in Florida. They come from Chapter 741 of the Florida Statutes. Here is what to bring:

• Valid government photo ID for each person
• Social Security number for U.S. citizens
• Exact date of last marriage ending, if applicable
• Payment of $86 or $61 with premarital course proof

Florida residents face a three-day waiting period. Taking a premarital course removes it. Non-residents can marry the same day. After the ceremony anywhere in Florida, the signed license goes back to the Holmes County clerk for recording. The couple gets a free certified copy once the recording is done.

VitalChek is the only vendor the state contracts with for online marriage certificate orders. You can use it to order Holmes County marriage certificates from the VitalChek Florida page shown above.

Nearby Counties

Holmes County is in the Florida Panhandle. If your search takes you to a bordering area, these counties each have their own clerk office for marriage records.