Search Putnam County Marriage Records

Putnam County marriage records are maintained by the Clerk of Court at the county courthouse in Palatka, Florida. Whether you need a new marriage license or want a certified copy of an existing marriage certificate, the clerk office is the first stop. Putnam County is a smaller county in northeast Florida along the St. Johns River. The clerk handles all marriage license applications, performs ceremonies, and keeps the official records on file. You can contact the office by phone or visit in person during business hours. This page covers how to search for, apply for, and obtain Putnam County marriage records and what to expect at each step of the process.

Putnam County Clerk of Court

The Putnam County Clerk of Court issues all marriage licenses in the county. The office is in the courthouse in Palatka. Both people must appear in person together. Bring a valid photo ID and know your Social Security number. If either party was married before, you need the exact date the prior marriage ended. The clerk checks everything and issues the license on the spot if the application is complete. Walk-ins are accepted during regular business hours.

Putnam County does not have a website listed for the clerk office, so calling ahead is a good idea. The staff can tell you about hours, fees, and what to bring. You can also check the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers directory for basic contact details and links to any online services the Putnam County Clerk may offer.

The clerk office also performs marriage ceremonies for a $30 fee. This is a simple civil ceremony done at the courthouse. Under Florida Statutes Chapter 741, Section 741.07, clerks and their deputies are among those authorized to perform marriages in the state. Ministers, judges, and notaries can also do it.

Putnam County Marriage License Fees

A marriage license in Putnam County costs $86 without a premarital course. With a course, it drops to $61. This matches the standard fee across most Florida counties. Section 741.0305 of the Florida Statutes gives the discount to couples who complete an approved premarital preparation course within one year of applying. The course also waives the three-day waiting period that Florida residents face. Out-of-state couples skip the wait regardless.

Part of the fee includes a $2 application charge and $25 for the state Domestic Violence Trust Fund. These amounts are set by Section 741.01. The total cost you pay at the counter covers everything. Cash is accepted. Check with the clerk about credit cards since smaller county offices sometimes have limited payment options. Personal checks are not accepted at many Florida clerk offices.

Under Section 741.041, the license is valid for 60 days. It works anywhere in Florida. After the ceremony, the signed license must come back to the Putnam County Clerk within 10 days for recording.

Copies of Putnam County Marriage Records

You can get copies of Putnam County marriage records from the local clerk or from the state. The clerk has the original license on file. The Florida Department of Health in Jacksonville holds marriage certificates from June 6, 1927 forward. A state search plus one certified copy is $5. Extra copies cost $4 each. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042. The Florida Department of Health marriage certificates page has the forms and instructions.

Online ordering goes through VitalChek, which is the only vendor the state works with. The online fee is $15 for the state charge plus $7 for VitalChek processing. You can also call VitalChek at 1-877-550-7330. State processing takes 3 to 5 business days for records from 1970 to the present. Older records need more time. For quick access to recent Putnam County marriage records, calling the local clerk at (386) 329-0361 is likely faster than going through the state.

Note: Records from before June 6, 1927 are only available from the Putnam County Clerk, not the state office.

Public Records in Putnam County

Marriage records in Putnam County are public. Florida Statutes Chapter 119 makes all state, county, and municipal records open for public inspection. You do not need a reason to request a record. Section 119.07 caps copy fees at 15 cents per page for regular copies and $1 for certified copies under state guidelines. The Putnam County Clerk may have its own fee schedule for certified copies of marriage licenses.

Social Security numbers and bank account details are protected under Section 119.071. The rest of the marriage record stays public. Names, dates, and filing information are all open to anyone who asks. Under Section 741.09, the clerk must keep a correct record of every marriage license issued in Putnam County.

State Resources for Putnam County

The My Florida County Records portal allows you to search official records across multiple counties. This is helpful when you are not sure exactly where a marriage was filed. The Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville is the state-level office for all Florida marriage certificates. They process mail, online, and walk-in requests. Rush service costs an extra $10 and is only for in-person visits at the Jacksonville office.

The state portal shown above is where you can begin a request for Putnam County or any other Florida county marriage certificate. Processing times vary based on the age of the record and how you submit the request.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Putnam County. Each has its own Clerk of Court for marriage records.