Where to Get a Marriage License in Hillsborough County
800 E. Twiggs Street, Room 101, Tampa, FL 33602 — Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court. Hours: Mon–Fri 8 AM–4 PM.
Hillsborough County (Tampa) is Florida's third most populous county and processes a high volume of licenses for both residents and destination couples. The courthouse is in downtown Tampa, walkable from the Tampa Riverwalk.
Fee — $86
Hillsborough County's fee is $86 — on the lower end for major Florida counties. The premarital course discount (4 hours, approved provider) reduces it to $61.
Accepted payment at most Florida county offices: cash, credit/debit card, money order. Personal checks are generally not accepted. Call the office to confirm current payment options before your visit.
Required Documents — Bring These
Both applicants must appear together in person and each bring:
- Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID: Driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or equivalent. Foreign passports accepted.
- Social Security Number: Required on the application for both parties. Physical card not required — just know the number. Non-U.S. citizens without an SSN write "None."
- Prior marriage information: Date and state where prior marriage ended (divorce date or death of spouse). For divorces finalized within the past 6 months, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree.
Government office hours, appointment policies, and accepted payment methods can change without public notice. A 2-minute phone call the day before your visit prevents wasted trips. The office number is available on the Hillsborough County government website.
Waiting Period — 3 days*
Hillsborough County accepts appointment scheduling online through the clerk's website, which can reduce waiting times significantly during peak periods (May–October). Walk-in is also accepted.
Use our Wedding Date Planner to calculate the exact window for applying based on your ceremony date and Florida's waiting period and validity rules.
License Validity — 60 days
Your Hillsborough County marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. It is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in Florida. Do not apply too far in advance — if the license expires before your ceremony, you must reapply and pay the fee again. Use our expiration calculator to track your exact window.
After the Ceremony
Your officiant must sign and return the completed marriage license to the Hillsborough County issuing office within the timeframe required by Florida law (typically 10–30 days after the ceremony). After recording, certified copies of the marriage certificate are available for $10.00 each. Order at least 4–6 certified copies — you will need them for name changes at the Social Security Administration, DMV, passport agency, and financial institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Florida requires both applicants to appear together in person to apply for a marriage license. Both must present valid photo ID and provide their Social Security numbers. There are very limited exceptions for active military deployment in some states — contact the office directly if one party cannot appear.
Yes. Florida has no residency requirement for marriage license applicants. The license is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in Florida, regardless of where you live. Out-of-state ID is accepted.
Order at least 4–6 certified copies when you're at the office (or request them after recording). You will need one each for: Social Security Administration name change, state DMV name change, passport name change, and potentially one or two more for banks, insurance companies, or professional licensing boards. Ordering multiple copies at once is far more efficient than reordering individually later.
An expired marriage license cannot be used. If your ceremony is delayed beyond the validity window, you must return to the Hillsborough County office, reapply, and pay the $86 fee again. There is no extension process. Use the expiration calculator to track your deadline.
Planning Your Visit to Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court
The Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court is located at 800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602. Hillsborough County (Tampa) is Florida's third most populous county. The Riverwalk, Ybor City, and Tampa's emerging arts scene have grown the destination wedding market. The clerk's office in downtown Tampa is accessible by HART bus and the Downtowner rideshare service.
Hillsborough County processes a mix of resident and destination applications. The county is home to MacDill Air Force Base — military couples should ask about any expedited procedures or documentation requirements. Florida's non-resident waiting period waiver applies automatically for out-of-state applicants.
What Makes Hillsborough County, Florida Different
Hillsborough County (Tampa) is Florida's third most populous county. The Riverwalk, Ybor City, and Tampa's emerging arts scene have grown the destination wedding market. The clerk's office in downtown Tampa is accessible by HART bus and the Downtowner rideshare service.
Timeline: From Application to Certified Copies
Here is the complete sequence for a Hillsborough County, Florida marriage, from the day you apply to the day you have certified copies in hand for name changes:
- Application day: Both parties appear at Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court. Bring photo IDs, Social Security numbers, and the $86 fee. The application takes 15–25 minutes at the counter.
- License issued: You leave with a physical paper marriage license. Guard it — if it is lost or damaged, you must reapply.
- Waiting period: 3 days (auto-waived for non-residents) from the moment of issuance (if applicable for this state). Plan your ceremony date accordingly.
- Ceremony: Hold your ceremony anywhere in Florida within the 60 days validity window. Your officiant signs the license immediately after the ceremony.
- Officiant returns license: The signed license must be returned to the issuing office within the timeframe required by Florida law (typically 10–30 days).
- Certificate recorded: The county records the marriage. Allow 2–4 weeks.
- Order certified copies: Request certified copies from the Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court or through VitalChek. Order at least 4–6 copies at once.
- Name changes: Use certified copies for SSA, DMV, passport, and financial accounts. See our complete name change guide.
Download our free Day-Of Marriage License Checklist PDF — a print-ready document you can fill in with your county-specific details and bring to the Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court on your application day. No signup required.