Lafayette County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Lafayette County are kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the courthouse in Mayo. Lafayette is the smallest county by population in Florida, but its clerk office carries out the same duties as every other county when it comes to marriage licenses and records. You can look up Lafayette County marriage records by calling the clerk or going to the courthouse. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville also has marriage certificates from June 1927 to the present that cover all Florida counties. For anything before 1927, the Lafayette County clerk is the only source. Whether you are applying for a new license or tracking down an old record, the clerk office in Mayo handles it all.

Lafayette County Clerk of Court

The Lafayette County Clerk of the Circuit Court is in Mayo. Call (386) 294-1600 for questions about marriage licenses, record searches, or certified copies. The office serves the county during standard weekday hours. To apply for a marriage license, both people must appear together. Each must bring a valid photo ID. The clerk takes driver licenses, passports, military IDs, and state-issued ID cards. U.S. citizens need their Social Security number.

Florida Statutes Chapter 741 controls the marriage license process statewide. Section 741.01 says the clerk issues the license when no legal block exists. An affidavit with the true ages of both parties is required under Section 741.04. If either person has been married before, the end date of that marriage must be provided. Reading the Family Law Handbook is mandatory. No one needs to live in Lafayette County or Florida to get a marriage license here. It works statewide for 60 days.

Fees for Lafayette County Licenses

A marriage license in Lafayette County costs $86. Couples who complete a premarital course pay $61. The $25 savings comes from Florida Statute 741.0305. Course completion also removes the three-day waiting period for Florida residents. The premarital course has to be finished within one year before the application date. Non-residents skip the wait no matter what.

The license lasts 60 days. Section 741.041 sets that. Use it anywhere in Florida. After the ceremony, the signed license must go back to the Lafayette County clerk in Mayo within 10 days. The clerk records it and passes the data to the state. A ceremony at the clerk office runs $30. Section 741.07 says ministers, judges, clerks, and Florida notaries public can all perform the wedding.

Certified copies of Lafayette County marriage records are available from the clerk. Fees at most Florida county offices fall between $2.50 and $9. Call (386) 294-1600 for the exact amount. The state also offers certified marriage certificates for $5 per search year and copy from the Florida Department of Health.

Note: The state fee is nonrefundable even if no matching record turns up in the search.

Searching Lafayette County Marriage Records

There is no online search portal for Lafayette County marriage records. The county is small and the clerk office handles searches in person or by phone. Call (386) 294-1600 or visit the courthouse in Mayo. The clerk can search records by name and date. Under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, all marriage records are public. Section 119.07 says any person has the right to inspect and copy them. You do not have to explain why you want the record.

For state-level searches, the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville has marriage certificates from June 6, 1927 forward. Order by mail, walk in, or go through VitalChek online. VitalChek charges $15 for the state fee plus $7 for processing. The My Florida County Records portal may cover Lafayette County official records as well. It is a state-run site that lets you search across multiple counties.

Public Records Access in Lafayette County

Florida is known for strong public records laws. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection by any person. This includes Lafayette County marriage records. Section 119.07 makes the clerk responsible for allowing access during reasonable hours. The standard copy fee is 15 cents per page. Certified copies cost more.

Some data gets removed from public copies. Section 119.071 protects Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and medical details. But the names, dates, and other core facts on a Lafayette County marriage record remain public. The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers website has a full directory of all 67 county clerk offices in the state. It is a handy starting point if you need to contact the Lafayette County clerk or any other Florida clerk about marriage records.

Lafayette County Marriage Steps

Getting married in Lafayette County follows the same Florida law as everywhere else. Both applicants must be 18 or older. A 17-year-old can apply with written consent from both parents if the other party is within two years of age. Here is what to expect:

• Both people visit the Lafayette County clerk in Mayo
• Bring valid photo ID and Social Security number
• Provide end date of any prior marriage
• Pay $86 or $61 with course certificate
• Florida residents wait three days without a course
• License valid 60 days statewide

After the ceremony, the completed license comes back to Mayo for recording. The couple gets a free certified copy from the clerk. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics receives the data about 60 days later for permanent filing. Under Section 741.09, the Lafayette County clerk must keep a correct record of all licenses it has issued.

The Bureau of Vital Statistics portal above is where you can start a state-level search for Lafayette County marriage certificates. Forms and fee schedules are available on the site.

Nearby Counties

Lafayette County is in north-central Florida. If your search for marriage records extends to a neighboring area, these counties all have their own clerk offices.