Residency: You need not be a resident of Florida to apply for a marriage license in Collier County.
Age: Applicants must be 18 years of age. Anyone 16 or 17 years of age must have their parents’ consent. (Consent forms available in Clerk’s Office).
If an applicant is younger than 16 years of age, parental and/or judicial consent may be required depending upon the age and situation.
Both applicants must appear in person at the time of application.
Prior Marriage: If either party was married previously, the applicant is required to provide the date the marriage ended.
Identification: A driver’s license, government issued identification card or passport may be presented at the time the application is made. The application form includes listing your Social Security number.
Application Fee: A fee payable in cash, check or money order is required at the time the application is made.
Fee: The fee is $93.50. However, if both parties are Florida residents and have proof that they completed the marriage preparation course, the fee is $61.00.
Waiting Period: The license must be used within 60 days from the “effective date” on the application. There is a 3-day waiting period for Florida residents ONLY**. This will be waived, when and if, both parties have completed a marriage preparation course and present the certificate of completion at the time of application.
**There is no waiting period for out-of-state residents.
Ceremony: The Marriage ceremony must take place within the state of Florida. A Florida notary public, an ordained clergy, the Clerk or Deputy Clerk of the Courts or judiciary, may perform a marriage ceremony.
Recording of License: After the marriage, the person who performed the ceremony must return the license to the Recording Office, in person or by mail, within 10 days; at that time, it will be recorded in the Official Records. After being recorded, a certified copy will be returned to the newlyweds by mail, and the original license will be sent to the Office of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville, FL. |
