Find Madison County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Madison County are filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the city of Madison, the county seat. The clerk issues marriage licenses, records them after ceremonies, and provides certified copies upon request. Madison County is a small, rural county in north Florida, east of Tallahassee. All marriage license services go through the clerk office at the courthouse. If you are looking for a Madison County marriage record, searching for a license, or need a certified copy for legal purposes, this page covers how to get it done. State-level certificates are also available through the Florida Department of Health for marriages from June 1927 forward.

Madison County Clerk of Court

The Madison County Clerk of the Circuit Court handles marriage licenses from the courthouse in Madison. You can reach the office at (850) 973-1500. Both people who want to get married must come to the clerk office together. Each person needs to bring a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver license, passport, military ID, or state ID card all work. U.S. citizens must provide a Social Security number as well.

Under Florida Statutes Chapter 741, both parties sign an affidavit stating their true ages and that nothing prevents the marriage from happening. Section 741.04 requires this. If either person was married before, you must know the exact date the prior marriage ended. It does not matter if it ended by divorce, death, or annulment. The date is required. No residency or citizenship requirement applies, so anyone can get a Madison County marriage license.

Fees for Madison County Marriage Licenses

A marriage license in Madison County costs $86 without a premarital course. With proof of completing an approved course, the fee drops to $61. This discount comes from Florida Statute 741.0305. The course must be done within one year before applying. Taking the course also waives the three-day waiting period for Florida residents.

The $86 fee breaks down to include the $2 application fee and $25 Domestic Violence Trust Fund charge required by Section 741.01 of the Florida Statutes. Civil ceremonies at the Madison County clerk office cost $30 if the clerk offers them. Payment options at smaller offices can be limited. Cash and money orders are the most reliable way to pay. Call ahead to confirm what the Madison County clerk accepts.

Certified copies of recorded marriage licenses have a separate cost. Florida counties generally charge between $2.50 and $9 for the first certified copy, with a lower fee for additional copies in the same order.

Note: Credit card payments may carry a surcharge at the Madison County clerk office.

How to Search Madison County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Madison County are public. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes guarantees public access to government records. Section 119.07 gives anyone the right to inspect and copy records at any reasonable time. You do not need to explain why you want to see a record. Social Security numbers and a few other sensitive details are blacked out on public copies per Section 119.071, but the rest of the marriage record is fully open.

The My Florida County Records website provides access to official records across many Florida counties. This can be useful if you want to search without calling or visiting the Madison County courthouse. For state-level certificates, the Florida Department of Health has marriage records from June 6, 1927 to the present.

Records from before 1927 are only available at the Madison County clerk office. The state bureau does not have them. Older records may be stored on microfilm or in physical archives at the courthouse.

State Certificates for Madison County Marriages

The Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville keeps marriage certificates for the entire state from June 6, 1927 forward. This includes all marriages recorded in Madison County. After a ceremony, the completed license returns to the Madison County clerk, who records it and sends the data to the state. That takes about 60 days.

A state certificate costs $5 for a search of one calendar year and one certified copy. Additional copies are $4 each. The search fee is not refundable even if no match turns up. You can order by mail to P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042, visit the Jacksonville office in person, or order online through VitalChek. VitalChek charges $15 for the state fee plus $7 for processing. The state strongly advises using only VitalChek for online orders to protect your personal data.

If your Madison County marriage took place less than 60 days ago, the state may not have the record yet. Go to the clerk office at (850) 973-1500 instead.

Ceremonies and Recording in Madison County

Florida Statute 741.07 lists who can perform a marriage ceremony. Ordained ministers, judges, clerks of the circuit court and their deputies, and Florida notaries public are all authorized. The Madison County clerk may perform ceremonies at the courthouse for a $30 fee. Check with the office to see if this service is available and to schedule a time.

After the ceremony, the signed license must return to the Madison County clerk within 10 days. Section 741.09 requires the clerk to keep a correct record of all licenses issued. The clerk records the completed license and sends information to the Bureau of Vital Statistics. One free certified copy goes to the couple after recording.

Nearby Counties

Madison County borders several north Florida counties. If the marriage you are looking for was not in Madison County, try one of these neighboring clerk offices.