Search Washington County Marriage Records

Washington County marriage records are filed with the Clerk of Court at the courthouse in Chipley, Florida. The clerk issues marriage licenses, maintains the official record books, and provides certified copies to anyone who needs them. Washington County is a rural county in the Florida panhandle. Chipley is the county seat and the only location for marriage license services in the county. Whether you are applying for a new license or trying to track down a record from years ago, the Washington County Clerk handles it. This page breaks down how to get Washington County marriage records, what it costs, and what you need to bring.

Washington County Clerk of Court

The Washington County Clerk of Court sits in the courthouse in Chipley. This is the only office that issues marriage licenses in the county. Both people must come in person at the same time. Each person needs a valid photo ID. A driver license, passport, or state ID will work. U.S. citizens need to provide a Social Security number. If you were married before, the exact date your prior marriage ended is required.

Washington County is small, so calling ahead at (850) 638-6289 is the best way to check hours and get answers to any questions. The clerk performs civil ceremonies for $30. Under Florida Statutes Chapter 741, Section 741.07, clerks and their deputies can officiate marriages. Ministers, judges, and Florida notaries public also have this authority.

The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers directory has contact information for all 67 county clerk offices. You can use it to find the Washington County Clerk details or reach a neighboring county if needed.

Washington County Marriage License Fees

A Washington County marriage license costs $86 without a premarital course. With a course, the fee drops to $61. Florida Statute 741.0305 provides this reduction for couples who take an approved course within one year of applying. The course also waives the three-day waiting period for Florida residents. Out-of-state couples have no waiting period.

Part of the fee includes a $2 application charge and $25 for the Domestic Violence Trust Fund per Section 741.01. Cash is always accepted. Call the clerk to ask about credit cards or money orders. Personal checks are typically not accepted for marriage license fees at Florida clerk offices. Under Section 741.041, the license stays valid for 60 days and can be used anywhere in the state.

After the ceremony, the signed license comes back to the Washington County Clerk within 10 days. The clerk records it and sends the information to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. Both parties must read the Family Law Handbook before the license is issued. Section 741.0306 requires this.

Note: The three-day wait only applies to Florida residents and starts the day the license is issued at the clerk office.

Washington County Marriage Record Copies

You can get copies of Washington County marriage records from the local clerk or the state. The clerk in Chipley has the original license on file. The Florida Department of Health in Jacksonville holds marriage certificates from June 6, 1927 to the present. A state search plus one certified copy costs $5. Extra copies are $4 each. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042 with a check payable to Vital Statistics.

Online ordering goes through VitalChek, the only vendor under contract with the state. The fee is $15 plus $7 processing. You can also order by phone at 1-877-550-7330. State processing takes 3 to 5 business days for computer certificates from 1970 forward. Older records take longer. For a recent Washington County marriage, the clerk office is faster since the state takes about 60 days to receive the data from the county.

The state portal shown above is the starting point for ordering a Washington County marriage certificate through the Florida Department of Health. Records before 1927 must come from the county clerk directly.

Public Records Access in Washington County

All marriage records in Washington County are public documents. Florida Statutes Chapter 119 guarantees this right. Section 119.07 says anyone can inspect and copy public records at any reasonable time. No relationship to the couple is required. Regular copies cost up to 15 cents per page. Certified copies are $1 under the state fee schedule. The Washington County Clerk may charge its own rates for certified marriage license copies.

Social Security numbers and bank account information are protected under Section 119.071. The core marriage details stay public. Under Section 741.09, the clerk must keep a correct record of every license issued in Washington County. The My Florida County Records portal is useful for searching official records across multiple Florida counties.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Washington County. Each one has its own Clerk of Court for marriage record services.