Manatee County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Manatee County are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Bradenton. The clerk issues marriage licenses, performs civil ceremonies, and maintains the official record of all licenses filed in the county. Manatee County sits on the Gulf Coast south of Tampa and includes cities like Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch. Whether you need a new marriage license or want to search for an existing record, the Manatee County clerk office is the place to go. You can also request state-level marriage certificates through the Florida Department of Health for records dating back to June 1927.

Manatee County Clerk of Court

The Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court in Bradenton is where all marriage license applications are handled. Call (941) 749-1800 for hours and questions. Both parties must appear together at the clerk office. Each person needs a valid government-issued photo ID. The clerk takes a driver license from any U.S. state, a passport, military ID, state ID card, or alien registration card. U.S. citizens must provide a Social Security number.

Previous marriages must be disclosed. If either party was married before, you need the exact date the prior marriage ended, whether by divorce, death, or annulment. Under Florida Statutes Chapter 741, Section 741.04, both parties sign an affidavit confirming their ages and eligibility. There is no residency or citizenship requirement for a Manatee County marriage license. The license works anywhere in Florida for 60 days.

Both parties also need to read the Family Law Handbook prepared by the Florida Bar before the Manatee County clerk can issue the license. The clerk office has copies available.

Fees for Manatee County Marriage Licenses

A marriage license in Manatee County costs $86 without a premarital course. Take an approved course and the fee drops to $61 under Florida Statute 741.0305. The course must be completed within one year of the application. It also waives the three-day waiting period that Florida residents face. Non-Florida residents do not have a waiting period at all.

The $86 total includes the $2 application fee and $25 Domestic Violence Trust Fund charge required by Section 741.01. Civil ceremonies at the Manatee County clerk cost $30. The office accepts cash, money orders, and most major credit cards. Credit card payments may carry a surcharge. Certified copies of recorded Manatee County marriage licenses have a separate fee. Most Florida counties charge between $2.50 and $9 for the first certified copy. Contact the clerk at (941) 749-1800 for the exact amount.

Note: Personal checks may not be accepted at the Manatee County clerk office for marriage license services.

Searching Manatee County Marriage Records

The Manatee County Clerk website provides tools for searching official records, which may include recorded marriage licenses. You can also use the My Florida County Records portal to search across multiple Florida counties from one site. This is handy when you are not sure which county issued a particular license.

Marriage records in Manatee County are public under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Anyone can inspect or copy them. Section 119.07 gives the public this right without needing to be named on the record. Some personal details like Social Security numbers are redacted per Section 119.071, but the marriage record itself stays open. In-person searches can be done at the Bradenton courthouse. You can also mail a request to the Manatee County clerk for certified copies.

For marriages recorded after June 6, 1927, the Florida Department of Health keeps state-level marriage certificates. A state certificate is an abstract of the original license. It costs $5 for one search year and one certified copy, with $4 for each additional copy. Online orders go through VitalChek for $15 plus $7 in processing fees.

After the Marriage Ceremony

Once a ceremony is performed, the officiant signs the Manatee County marriage license. The completed license must be returned to the clerk within 10 days. Under Section 741.09, the Manatee County clerk keeps a correct record of all licenses issued and records the completed ones into the official records. The data then goes to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. That process takes about 60 days. If you just got married in Manatee County and need proof quickly, contact the clerk at (941) 749-1800 instead of waiting for the state.

Florida Statute 741.07 says ordained ministers, judges, clerks of the circuit court and their deputies, and notaries public of Florida can all perform ceremonies. The Manatee County clerk offers civil ceremonies for $30 at the Bradenton office. No witnesses are legally required in Florida, but having them is a good idea. After recording, the couple gets one free certified copy from the Manatee County clerk.

Manatee County Premarital Course

Taking a premarital preparation course is optional. But it has clear benefits for couples applying in Manatee County. You save $25 on the license fee. You skip the three-day wait. The course covers communication, conflict resolution, and related topics. Approved providers offer in-person and online options. The certificate of completion must be presented to the Manatee County clerk at the time of application.

Under Section 741.0305, the course has to be finished within one year before the license application. Both parties should take the course together, though the statute does not strictly require it to be at the same time. If you plan to get married in Manatee County and want things to move fast, the premarital course is the way to go.

Cities in Manatee County

Manatee County includes several cities. Marriage licenses for all of them are issued through the Manatee County Clerk of Court in Bradenton. The cities below have dedicated pages with more details.

Nearby Counties

If you need marriage records from a county that borders Manatee, the clerk offices below can help. Each county keeps its own set of marriage records.