We are applying for the marriage license by mail and this service is included in some of our wedding packages. You may choose to add this service if it is not already included in the package price. We have been processing the Florida Marriage License by mail since 2005. You will not have to arrive in Florida a working day ahead of time or go to the Clerk of Court and spend precious vacation time to apply in person. There are no waiting times and everything will be done before you travel to Florida.
Marriage License by mail Application
Why apply for your License by mail?
- There will be no waiting time in courthouses during your vacation time.
- You arrive in Florida without worries, knowing that the license is already valid and ready to use.
- You can actually arrive at weekends and still get married. (Clerks are closed on weekends and holidays).
- No fear of communication problems at the Clerk of Court for couples that are not native English speakers.
- Convenient and a true time-saver for busy couples on tight schedules.
Documents required
- Copies of government IDs (driver’s license, state ID, military ID, or passport if residing outside of the US).
- You have to fill out a Clerks Information sheet that we will provide you with.
- If previously married the exact date when the last marriage ended.
- You need your social security number if you are a US permanent resident or citizen.
- You need a passport number for non-US residents or citizens.
We will not need your divorce decree, birth certificates, or any translated documents. Exception: If your last marriage ended within a month and you are trying to remarry we will need the divorce decree.
MARRIAGE LICENSE BY MAIL PROCEDURE
How does it work?
Approximately one month prior to your wedding date we apply at the Clerk of Court for your license. If you also plan your wedding with us we will hold on to the finished document until your wedding day. If you booked the legal assistance package the finished license will be mailed to your home address via Fed Ex. You will have to present the license to your officiant on the day of the wedding. The document is absolutely legal and the same as applying in person. Currently, only two Clerks in the State of Florida are offering this service and you have to file through a company that is registered with the Clerk like us. You may also apply for the license yourself in person.
Step by Step
- You fill out the Clerks information sheet provided by us and email it along with copies of your IDs.
- We submit the application along with the filing fee to the Clerk of Court approx. one month prior to your wedding date. The filing fee is nonrefundable
- We will receive a pre-license via Email from the Clerk and forward it to you along with detailed instructions, a handbook, and a premarital statement. The license is not valid yet at this time.
- You print out the pre-license and make sure everything is correctly filled in (Names, Birthdates, etc.) Please read the instructions carefully and contact us if something is not correct on the pre-license.
- You will take the printed pre-license to a Notary Public or Solicitor and get your signatures notarized. This has to be done to prove your identities since you will not apply in person. We recommend having 2 copies notarized to have one in spare in case documents get lost.
- Mickey Hill is a Notary Public in the State of Florida. If you have difficulties in getting your notarization’s done at home we can also notarize your documents in our office.
- Print out the premarital statement and sign it. No notarization is necessary.
- Fed Ex or UPS the notarized pre-license along with the premarital statement to us. We have to file the license one more time with the Clerk of Court for finalization.
- The license is finished and valid when the Clerk has signed, dated, and stamped the document. We will hold on to your license until your wedding date or ship it to your home address.
What is an Apostille?
For couples living outside of the US
An Apostille is a document issued that will validate for other countries that the marriage is valid. Countries that signed The Haag Convention contract will mostly accept this document and register the marriage in your home country. We will file for the Apostille if your country requests an Apostille for legalization at home. The Apostille can take 4 to 6 weeks processing time and will be mailed to your home address. Couples from the UK will not need this document, but most other countries will require it. Once you received the Apostille from us you take the Apostille to your local registration office and get your marriage registered. Some countries will also require a translation.
Countries not members of The Haag Convention:
Some countries are not members of The Haag Convention or will require additional procedures even if they are members. If you are living in one of those countries an Apostille will not be sufficient to register the marriage at home. Please ask your local office what they will require to legalize the marriage at home. In almost all cases further documents have to be filed with the Embassy – Consulate of this country.
Your Responsibilities
While we know the requirements for many different countries, things can and do change over the years. It is the responsibility of the couple to check with the local registration office what will be required to file for your marriage at home.
Stand-alone Service
If you need only paperwork done
The marriage license by mail application service is also available if you don’t actually book the wedding with us. We have two options available.
Couples may book our Legal Assistance Package or file directly with us over our Marriage License by Mail website.
"Marriages, like a garden, take time to grow. But the harvest is rich unto those who patiently and tenderly care for the ground."
—Darlene Schacht
