Search Levy County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Levy County are kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Bronson, the county seat. The clerk issues marriage licenses, records completed licenses after ceremonies, and provides certified copies to the public. Levy County is a rural county along the Gulf Coast of north-central Florida. All marriage license applications go through the Bronson office. Whether you need a new license, want to look up an old record, or need a certified copy for legal use, the Levy County clerk is where you start. You can also get state-level marriage certificates through the Florida Department of Health for marriages recorded after June 1927.

Levy County Clerk of Court

The Levy County Clerk of the Circuit Court in Bronson handles all marriage license services for the county. Call (352) 486-5261 to reach the office. Both parties must show up in person at the same time to apply. You need a valid photo ID. Accepted forms include a driver license from any U.S. state, a passport, military ID, state ID, or alien registration card. U.S. citizens and residents must give their Social Security number as well.

If either party was married before, the exact date the last marriage ended is required. The Levy County clerk will not issue a license without this detail. Under Florida Statutes Chapter 741, Section 741.04, both parties must sign an affidavit with their true ages. There is no residency or citizenship requirement. Anyone who meets the legal requirements can apply for a marriage license in Levy County. The license is valid for 60 days and can be used anywhere in Florida, per Section 741.041.

Note: Both parties must read the Family Law Handbook from the Florida Bar before the clerk can issue a Levy County marriage license.

Levy County Marriage License Fees

The standard fee for a marriage license in Levy County is $86. This amount includes the $2 application fee and $25 for the Domestic Violence Trust Fund under Section 741.01. Couples who take an approved premarital course before applying pay $61 instead. The course also waives the three-day waiting period that Florida residents face. Under Florida Statute 741.0305, the premarital course must be completed within one year of the application date.

The Levy County clerk office may offer civil ceremonies for $30. Cash and money orders are typically accepted. Check with the office on credit card options. Certified copies of a recorded marriage license cost a few dollars each. The exact fee can vary, but most Florida counties charge between $2.50 and $9 for the first copy. Call the Levy County clerk at (352) 486-5261 to confirm current copy fees before you visit.

Finding Levy County Marriage Records

Levy County marriage records are public under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Section 119.07 gives any person the right to inspect and copy public records. You do not need to be named on the record or provide a reason. The Levy County clerk office in Bronson is the primary place to search for local marriage records. For a broader search, the My Florida County Records portal covers official records from many Florida counties.

Marriage records from before June 6, 1927 exist only at the county level. The state did not start collecting marriage data until that date. For anything older, the Levy County clerk is your only source. Newer records may also be found through the Florida Department of Health, which keeps marriage certificates from 1927 to the present. A state certificate costs $5 for one search year plus one certified copy. Extra copies are $4 each.

You can also order state-level certificates online through VitalChek, the only vendor contracted by the Florida DOH. Online orders run $15 for the state fee plus $7 for processing. This is a faster route than mailing a request to Jacksonville, especially if you need a Levy County marriage certificate quickly.

Marriage Ceremonies in Levy County

Under Florida Statute 741.07, several types of officials can perform a marriage ceremony in Levy County. Ordained ministers and elders in communion with a church are authorized. Judges and other judicial officers have the authority too. Clerks of the Circuit Court and their deputies can perform ceremonies, as can Florida notaries public. The Levy County clerk may perform civil ceremonies at the courthouse in Bronson for a $30 fee.

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and it must be returned to the Levy County clerk within 10 days. The clerk records it into the official records and sends the data to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. This takes about 60 days. Under Section 741.09, the clerk keeps a correct record of every marriage license issued in the county. Couples get one free certified copy after the license is recorded. If you need more copies later, contact the Levy County clerk or the state office.

Waiting Period and Premarital Course

Florida residents who apply for a marriage license in Levy County face a three-day waiting period. The license is not effective until three days after the date it is issued. Non-Florida residents can skip this wait entirely. The other way to avoid the wait is to complete a premarital preparation course from an approved provider. Under Section 741.0305, the course must be done within one year of your application. Presenting the certificate of completion at the Levy County clerk office waives the waiting period and cuts the fee from $86 to $61.

The premarital course covers topics like conflict resolution, communication skills, and financial planning. Several providers offer courses in person and online that meet the Florida requirements. This is optional. It saves you $25 and three days, but it is not required to get a Levy County marriage license.

Note: The license is valid for 60 days from the effective date and can be used anywhere in Florida, not just Levy County.

Nearby Counties

Levy County is bordered by several counties in north-central Florida. If the marriage you are searching for took place in a neighboring county, contact that county's clerk office for records.