Union County Marriage Records

Union County marriage records are filed at the Clerk of Court in Lake Butler, Florida. The clerk issues new licenses, keeps all recorded marriage documents, and provides copies upon request. Union County is one of the smallest counties in Florida, located in the north-central part of the state. Lake Butler is the county seat and the only place to handle marriage license business in the county. If you want to search for a record, get a certified copy, or apply for a new license, the Union County Clerk is where to go. This page covers how to navigate the process for Union County marriage records from fees to requirements.

Union County Clerk of Court

The Union County Clerk of Court is located at the courthouse in Lake Butler. This is the only office in the county that handles marriage licenses. Both people applying must come in together with valid photo ID. A driver license, passport, or state-issued ID card is fine. U.S. citizens need their Social Security number. Anyone who was married before needs the exact date their prior marriage ended.

Since Union County is small, calling (386) 496-3711 before you visit is smart. The staff will let you know the current hours and confirm what you need to bring. The clerk also does civil wedding ceremonies for a $30 fee. Under Florida Statutes Chapter 741, Section 741.07, clerks can legally perform marriage ceremonies. So can ministers, judges, and Florida notaries.

Union County Marriage License Fees

The fee for a Union County marriage license is $86 without a premarital course. Couples who take an approved course pay $61 instead. Florida Statute 741.0305 provides this benefit. The course must be finished within one year of applying. Besides the fee reduction, the course also waives the three-day waiting period that Florida residents have. Out-of-state residents never have to wait.

The total fee includes a $2 application charge and a $25 Domestic Violence Trust Fund payment under Section 741.01. These are built into the amount you pay at the clerk window. Cash is accepted. Call the office to ask about other payment options. Personal checks are generally not accepted at Florida clerk offices.

Your Union County marriage license is valid for 60 days per Section 741.041. It can be used anywhere in Florida. After the ceremony, the signed license must go back to the Union County Clerk within 10 days. The clerk records it and sends the data to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. You will get one free certified copy in the mail.

Note: Both parties must read the Family Law Handbook before the clerk can issue the license.

Copies of Union County Marriage Records

Certified copies of Union County marriage records are available from the clerk office in Lake Butler. For records filed since June 6, 1927, the state Bureau of Vital Statistics also has certificates on file. A state search plus one certified copy is $5. Additional copies cost $4 each. The Florida Department of Health handles these requests at P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042.

Online orders go through VitalChek, the only vendor contracted with the state. The online fee is $15 for the state charge plus $7 for VitalChek processing. Phone orders are taken at 1-877-550-7330. State processing is 3 to 5 business days for records from 1970 to the present. Older records and rush requests cost more. For recent Union County marriages, the clerk office is quicker since the state takes about 60 days to receive the recorded license from the county.

The state portal shown above is where you can start a request for a Union County marriage certificate. Records before 1927 must come from the county clerk.

Public Records in Union County

Marriage records in Union County are public documents. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says all state, county, and municipal records are open for inspection and copying. Anyone can ask. You do not need to be related to the people on the record. Section 119.07 caps regular copy fees at 15 cents per page and certified copies at $1 under the state schedule. The Union County Clerk may have its own fee for certified marriage license copies.

Protected information under Section 119.071 includes Social Security numbers and bank account details. The names, marriage date, and county information remain open. Under Section 741.09, the clerk keeps a correct record of all marriage licenses issued in Union County. The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers directory lists every county clerk in the state. The My Florida County Records portal is helpful for broader searches across counties.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Union County. Each has its own Clerk of Court that handles marriage records for that area.