Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Neil Kelly, Clerk

Marriage Licenses

The Marriage License division receives marriage applications, issues licenses and performs marriage ceremonies. You may obtain a marriage license at any of the following three locations. Please click on the links for maps, driving directions, office and phone directory, and other contact information.

You may also start the marriage license application process online by using our eMarriage online application. See below for information about the eMarriage application process.

Marriage License Office Locations

Lake County Public Records Center
122 East Main Street, Tavares
Open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

South Lake Minneola Branch Office
800 North US Hwy. 27, Minneola
The office is located in the Minneola City Hall.
Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed for lunch from 12 to 1 p.m.

North Lake Branch Office
902 Avenida Central, The Villages.
The office is located in the Villages of Lady Lake.
Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed for lunch from 12 to 1 p.m.

eMarriage Application

eMarriage is an online marriage license application program that will save you time when you come to the Clerk's Office. By using our eMarriage application, you are filling out, at your convenience, all the necessary information required by the State of Florida to obtain a marriage license. You save time because you will not have to fill out a paper marriage license application at the Clerk's Office. Your online application is valid for 60 calendar days from the day it is submitted.

Using the eMarriage Application System

1. Read the disclaimer to understand that by filling out the online application, you must still appear before the Clerk and meet the State of Florida's requirements for a marriage license. Simply completing the online form does not mean you are married.
2. Enter information in all the required fields and submit. Your information will go into the Clerk's queue.
3. You will receive an on-screen confirmation that you have successfully completed the online application.
4. Within 60 days of completing the online application, the bride and groom must come together to the Marriage License/Passport Department with proper identification and form of payment.
5. At that time, the Clerk will determine if your application can be accepted or rejected.

Marriage License Fees

Item	Fee Amount
Marriage application and license (includes one certified copy of license)	$93.50
If pre-marital class certification filed (3-day waiting period waved)	$61.00
For Solemnizing matrimony	$30.00
Keepsake Marriage Certificate	$10.00
Providing a certified copy	$3.00
Credit Cards are not accepted. Payment may be made by check, cash, or money order only.

Applying for a Marriage License

• Who may apply for a marriage license?
  
  • Any male or female 18 years of age or older.
  • A minor whose parents are deceased and no guardian is appointed.
  • With a judge’s approval, minors, who under oath, swear that they are parents or expectant parents of a child. In addition, a written statement of a licensed physician must verify the pregnancy.
  • A previously married minor.
  • A person age 16 or 17 with parental or guardian consent.
• What do I need to apply for a marriage license?
  
  •  Both parties must be present when applying for a marriage license.
  • Couples are required by law to read a handbook supplied by the Clerk and sign a statement acknowledging that they have read the handbook before applying for the license. This can be done the same day as applying for the license or you may download the booklet by following the link on this page, and read it before your arrival.
  • To expedite the licensing process, you may download the Marriage License Information Sheet by following the link on this page, complete it, and bring it with you to the Marriage License Department or you can complete eMarriage.
  • Additionally, depending on which category applies to you, you will need to bring the following information:
    
    • Applicants 18 years of age or older:
      • Each party must show a valid driver's license or state ID, a passport or military identification.
      • Both parties must provide their Social Security numbers.
      • If either party has been previously married, the party must provide the day, month and year his or her last marriage ended.
         
    • Applicants 16-17 years of age must present EACH of the following:
      • Each party must show a valid driver's license or state ID, a passport or military identification.
      • Both parties must provide their Social Security numbers.
      • Certified copy of your birth certificate showing both parents' names.
      • Notarized written consent of both parents or guardian. If one or both parents of a minor are deceased, a certified copy of the death certificate is required. If a parent has sole legal custody, the parent must present a certified copy of the court document granting sole custody.
    • Applicants under 16 years of age may apply for a license at the Clerk's office. However, with or without parental permission, a marriage license to anyone under age 16 can only be issued upon approval of a judge. The following is required:
      • Each party must show a valid driver's license or state ID, a passport or military identification.
      • Both parties must provide their Social Security numbers.
      • Certified copy of your birth certificate showing both parents' names.
      • Notarized written consent of both parents or guardian. If one or both parents of a minor are deceased, a certified copy of the death certificate is required.
      • An affidavit that the couple are the parents of an unborn child accompanied by a statement from a licensed physician that the female is pregnant, or an affidavit stating they are the parents of a child accompanied by a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate.
         
• Is there a waiting period after issuance of the license?
  

  There is no waiting period for Florida residents who file certification that they both have completed a premarital preparation course from a registered provider within the past 12 months. For Florida residents who have not taken the course, there is a three day waiting period between issuance of the license and the time it becomes valid for use. For non-Florida residents there is no waiting period.

• How is the waiting period counted?
  

  The date the license is issued does count as the first day. You will need to wait two additional full days. You may then be married on the following day. For example, if you obtain your marriage license on Friday, you can marry on Monday.  

• Where can I take the premarital preparation course?
  

  Many local churches and counseling services offer the course. You may download the Roster of Premarital Preparation Course Providers.

• Can persons obtain licenses to marry partners of their own gender?
  

  No, Florida law specifies that one applicant must be male and the other female. 

• Are blood tests required?
  

  No, the law requiring a blood test was abolished October 1, 1986. 

• Must I apply for a marriage license in the county where I live?
  

  No, a marriage license may be applied for and used in any Florida county. 

• Do one or both of the marriage license applicants have to be American citizens?
  

  No, there is no citizenship requirement. 

• How long is a marriage license valid once it is issued?
  

  The license is valid for 60 days after issuance. The effective date and expiration date are noted on the license. The ceremony can be performed anywhere in the State of Florida. The marriage license form must be returned to the Clerk’s Office for recording within 10 days after the marriage is performed. 

• Who may perform a marriage license ceremony?
  

  The following may perform marriage ceremonies:

  • A regularly ordained minister or other ordained clergy;
  • Elders in communion with some church;
  • All judicial officers (judges);
  • Clerks of Circuit Court and their deputies;
  • Notaries public of the State of Florida.

  In addition, the law provides that marriages may be performed among "Quakers" or 'Friends," in the manner and form used or practiced in their societies.  

• Can I be married at the Clerk's Office?
  

  Yes, deputy clerks can perform a civil marriage ceremony. 

• Do I need to bring witnesses for a ceremony?
  

  No, witnesses are not required in the State of Florida.

• How do we go about renewing our vows?
  

   Talk to your clergyman, chaplain, other religious adviser, or personal counselor.

• Do we need to obtain a license to renew our vows?
  

   No.

• Where can I write for a certified copy of my marriage license?
  

  One certified copy is provided as part of the marriage license fee. Extra certified copies are $3.00 and can be obtained by writing to:

  Lake County Public Records Center
  Recording Department
  P. O. Box 7800
  Tavares, FL 32778

  If your license was issued in any other Florida county, contact the clerk’s office in the county where it was issued, or write to:

  Florida Department of Health
  Division of Vital Statistics
  P. O. Box 210
  Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
  Phone (904) 359-6900

 

NOTICE: Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to public records requests, do not send electronic mail to the Clerk’s Office. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.