Flordia Wedding Laws
What to expect when officiating a wedding.
Get Ordained
Wedding Ceremony Requirements
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: None
The couple and minister must be physically present during the ceremony. Legally required elements include the couple’s verbal consent (“I do”) and the minister’s pronouncement. The rest of the ceremony can be customized.
Requirements for the Couple
- Minimum Age: 18 years (17 with guardian consent)
- Residency: Not Required
- Minimum Kin Distance: First Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
Couples must be 18+ to marry, though exceptions exist for 17-year-olds with guardian consent and age-gap restrictions. Residency is not required. Same-sex marriages are legally recognized.
Requirements for the Minister
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Residency: Not Required
- Documents Required: Varies by County
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: County Clerk
- Submission Deadline: After Ceremony
Ministers must be 18+ and ordained through Ministries of Love. Documentation requirements vary by county. Ministers should check with the County Clerk’s office where the couple obtains their license and keep ordination credentials on hand.
Marriage License Facts
- Ceremony Type: Religious
- Waiting Period: 3 Days for FL Residents (None for Non-Residents)
- License Validity: 60 Days
- Submission Deadline: Within 10 Days
Couples should select a “religious” marriage license. Florida residents have a 3-day waiting period, waived with proof of premarital counseling. Out-of-state residents have no waiting period. Licenses are valid for 60 days and must be returned within 10 days after the wedding.
Marriage License Requirements
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person
- Cost: Varies by County ($61 with premarital counseling for FL residents)
- Accepted ID: Government-Issued Photo ID
- Proof of Divorce: Not Required
- Blood Test: Not Required
The couple must apply in person at the Clerk’s office with valid photo ID. Fees vary by county. Premarital counseling reduces the fee for Florida residents to $61 and waives the waiting period.
Final Steps
- Officiant Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address: Minister’s Home Address
The minister must complete the marriage license accurately, listing “minister” as their title and “Ministries of Love” as the ordaining body. The completed license must be returned to the issuing office within 10 days. Ministers should maintain records of all ceremonies performed, especially if compensated.
Wedding Ceremony Requirements
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: None
The couple and minister must be physically present during the ceremony. Legally required elements include the couple’s verbal consent (“I do”) and the minister’s pronouncement. The rest of the ceremony can be customized.
Requirements for the Couple
- Minimum Age: 18 years (17 with guardian consent)
- Residency: Not Required
- Minimum Kin Distance: First Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
Couples must be 18+ to marry, though exceptions exist for 17-year-olds with guardian consent and age-gap restrictions. Residency is not required. Same-sex marriages are legally recognized.
Requirements for the Minister
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Residency: Not Required
- Documents Required: Varies by County
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: County Clerk
- Submission Deadline: After Ceremony
Ministers must be 18+ and ordained through Ministries of Love. Documentation requirements vary by county. Ministers should check with the County Clerk’s office where the couple obtains their license and keep ordination credentials on hand.
Marriage License Facts
- Ceremony Type: Religious
- Waiting Period: 3 Days for FL Residents (None for Non-Residents)
- License Validity: 60 Days
- Submission Deadline: Within 10 Days
Couples should select a “religious” marriage license. Florida residents have a 3-day waiting period, waived with proof of premarital counseling. Out-of-state residents have no waiting period. Licenses are valid for 60 days and must be returned within 10 days after the wedding.
Marriage License Requirements
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person
- Cost: Varies by County ($61 with premarital counseling for FL residents)
- Accepted ID: Government-Issued Photo ID
- Proof of Divorce: Not Required
- Blood Test: Not Required
The couple must apply in person at the Clerk’s office with valid photo ID. Fees vary by county. Premarital counseling reduces the fee for Florida residents to $61 and waives the waiting period.
Final Steps
- Officiant Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address: Minister’s Home Address
The minister must complete the marriage license accurately, listing “minister” as their title and “Ministries of Love” as the ordaining body. The completed license must be returned to the issuing office within 10 days. Ministers should maintain records of all ceremonies performed, especially if compensated.