Suwannee County Marriage Records

Suwannee County marriage records are held by the Clerk of Court at the courthouse in Live Oak, Florida. The clerk issues new marriage licenses and keeps copies of all filed records going back many years. If you need to look up a marriage record or want to apply for a license, the clerk office in Live Oak is the place to start. Suwannee County is a rural county in north-central Florida. The process for getting a marriage license here follows the same state rules as every other Florida county. You can reach the office by phone or walk in during business hours to search for Suwannee County marriage records or begin an application.

Suwannee County Clerk of Court

The Suwannee County Clerk of Court handles all marriage license services from the courthouse in Live Oak. Both people must show up together. You each need a valid photo ID such as a driver license, passport, or state ID. U.S. citizens must provide a Social Security number. If either party had a prior marriage, bring the exact date it ended through divorce, death, or annulment.

Suwannee County is a smaller county, so calling ahead is a smart move. The clerk staff can tell you the current hours and what documents to bring. The office also performs civil marriage ceremonies for $30. Under Florida Statutes Chapter 741, Section 741.07, clerks and their deputies are allowed to solemnize marriages. Ministers, judges, and notaries public can also do it.

After the ceremony, the signed license comes back to the Suwannee County Clerk. The clerk records it and sends the information to the state. One certified copy is mailed to the couple at no charge. This process takes about 60 days to reach the state level.

Suwannee County Marriage License Fees

The standard fee for a Suwannee County marriage license is $86. If you take a premarital course from an approved provider, the cost is $61. Section 741.0305 of the Florida Statutes provides this reduction. The course must be done within one year before you apply. It also gets rid of the three-day waiting period for Florida residents. Out-of-state couples can get married the same day they get the license.

Part of the fee goes to a $2 application charge and $25 for the Domestic Violence Trust Fund per Section 741.01. Cash is always accepted. Call (386) 362-0500 to check on credit card or money order options. Some smaller Florida clerk offices have limited payment methods. Personal checks are not taken at most clerk offices.

The license is good for 60 days under Section 741.041. You can use it in any Florida county. Both people must read the Family Law Handbook before the clerk will hand over the license. The Florida Bar publishes the handbook under Section 741.0306.

Note: The three-day wait starts the day the license is issued, not the day you apply online.

Getting Copies of Suwannee Marriage Records

You can get copies of Suwannee County marriage records from the local clerk or the state. The clerk in Live Oak has the original license. The Florida Department of Health in Jacksonville holds marriage certificates from June 6, 1927 forward. A state search plus one certified copy costs $5. Extra copies are $4 each. Mail your request to P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042 with a check or money order payable to Vital Statistics.

Online ordering goes through VitalChek. The online fee is $15 for the state charge plus $7 for processing. VitalChek also takes phone orders at 1-877-550-7330. Processing takes 3 to 5 business days for records from 1970 to the present. Older records need more time. For recent marriages, contacting the Suwannee County Clerk is faster since the state takes roughly 60 days to get the data.

The VitalChek portal shown above is where you can order a Suwannee County marriage certificate online. It is the only vendor the state of Florida works with for these orders.

Public Access to Suwannee County Records

All marriage records in Suwannee County are public. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes makes this clear. Section 119.07 says any person can inspect and copy public records. You do not need to be related to the couple. Regular copies cost up to 15 cents per page. Certified copies are $1 under the state fee schedule. The Suwannee County Clerk may have its own pricing for certified copies of marriage licenses.

Social Security numbers and bank account information are protected under Section 119.071. Everything else on the record is public. Under Section 741.09, the clerk keeps a complete record of every marriage license issued in Suwannee County. The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers website can help you find any county clerk office in the state. The My Florida County Records portal is useful for searching records across multiple counties at once.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Suwannee County. Each has its own clerk office that handles marriage records for that area.