Access Martin County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Martin County are kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Stuart. The clerk handles marriage license applications, civil ceremonies, recording of completed licenses, and certified copy requests. Martin County is on Florida's Treasure Coast, between Palm Beach County to the south and St. Lucie County to the north. All marriage license services for the county go through the Stuart courthouse. If you need a record from a Martin County marriage or want to apply for a new license, the clerk office is your starting point. State-level certificates are also available through the Florida Department of Health for marriages recorded since June 1927.

Martin County Clerk of Court

The Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court in Stuart is responsible for all marriage license services. Call (772) 288-5576 to reach the office. Both parties must appear in person together to apply. Each person needs valid photo ID. The clerk accepts driver licenses from any U.S. state, passports, military IDs, state ID cards, and alien registration cards. U.S. citizens and residents must also bring their Social Security number.

Under Florida Statutes Chapter 741, Section 741.04, both people sign an affidavit with their true ages. If either person was married before, they must provide the exact date the last marriage ended. There is no residency requirement. Couples from outside Martin County or outside Florida can apply here. The license is good anywhere in the state for 60 days from the effective date under Section 741.041.

Martin County Marriage License Fees

The standard marriage license fee in Martin County is $86. Couples who complete an approved premarital course pay $61. The $25 discount comes from Florida Statute 741.0305. The course must be done within one year of your application. Finishing the course also waives the three-day waiting period for Florida residents. If both parties are from out of state, there is no wait at all.

Civil ceremonies cost $30 when performed by the Martin County clerk. The $86 fee includes the $2 application charge and $25 Domestic Violence Trust Fund fee per Section 741.01. The clerk accepts cash, money orders, and major credit cards. A surcharge may apply for credit cards. Certified copies of recorded Martin County marriage licenses cost a separate fee that falls in the range most Florida counties use.

Note: The Martin County clerk office at (772) 288-5576 can give you exact certified copy fees and confirm payment methods before your visit.

Search Martin County Marriage Records

You can search Martin County marriage records through the clerk's website or by visiting the Stuart courthouse. The My Florida County Records portal is another option that covers official records from multiple Florida counties. Marriage records are public in Florida. Under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, anyone can inspect and copy public records. You do not have to be named on the Martin County marriage license to request a copy.

Section 119.07 sets the rules. The custodian must allow access at any reasonable time. Fees for copies are capped at 15 cents per page for regular copies and $1 for certified copies under this statute, though county-specific fees may apply for marriage license copies. Social Security numbers and certain other protected information are redacted from public copies under Section 119.071.

For state-level certificates of Martin County marriages from June 6, 1927 onward, go through the Florida Department of Health. The state fee is $5 for a search of one year plus one certified copy. Additional copies cost $4 each. You can also order through VitalChek online for $15 plus a $7 processing fee.

Recording and Ceremonies in Martin County

After a marriage ceremony, the signed license must be returned to the Martin County clerk within 10 days. This is a statewide rule. Under Section 741.09, the clerk records the completed license into the official records and forwards the information to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. This reporting takes about 60 days. Couples who need proof of their marriage before the state processes it should contact the Martin County clerk at (772) 288-5576.

Florida Statute 741.07 lists who can perform ceremonies. Ordained ministers, elders in communion with a church, judges, clerks of the circuit court and their deputies, and Florida notaries public all qualify. The Martin County clerk offers civil ceremonies for $30 at the courthouse in Stuart. After recording, the couple gets one free certified copy from the clerk.

A Martin County marriage license is valid anywhere in Florida. You do not have to get married in Martin County just because you got the license here. But you must return the completed license to the Martin County clerk for recording regardless of where the ceremony happened in the state.

Martin County Waiting Period

Florida residents who get a marriage license in Martin County must wait three days before the license becomes effective. This is set by state law. The wait starts the day the license is issued. Non-residents of Florida skip this completely. The only way for Florida residents to bypass the wait is to take a premarital preparation course from an approved provider. Present the course certificate at the Martin County clerk office and the license takes effect the same day.

The course covers communication, finances, and other topics meant to help couples prepare. Both in-person and online courses are available. Under Section 741.0305, the course must be finished within one year before the application date. It is a small investment of time that saves money and days of waiting for your Martin County marriage license.

Cities in Martin County

Marriage licenses for cities in Martin County are all issued by the Martin County Clerk of Court in Stuart. The city below has a dedicated page with more local details.

Nearby Counties

Martin County is bordered by counties on the Treasure Coast and inland. Each has its own clerk office for marriage records.