Where to Get a Marriage License in Miami-Dade County
200 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33128 — Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts, Marriage Licensing Unit. Hours: Mon–Fri 8 AM–3:30 PM. Walk-in only. Arrive early: this office processes more licenses than any other Florida county.
Miami-Dade County processes approximately 15,000 marriage licenses annually — more than any other county in Florida. The combination of international tourism, a large immigrant community seeking civil marriages, and South Beach destination weddings drives this volume.
Fee — $115
Miami-Dade's $115 fee is the highest in Florida, reflecting county-level surcharges added to the state base. The fee drops to $90 for couples who complete a Florida-approved 4-hour premarital course.
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 Miami-Dade County government website.
Waiting Period — 3 days*
Miami-Dade has a large Spanish-speaking staff and the application form is available in Spanish. However, the completed license and all legal documentation will be in English. Foreign nationals with non-English IDs should bring a certified English translation.
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 Miami-Dade 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 Miami-Dade 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 Miami-Dade County office, reapply, and pay the $115 fee again. There is no extension process. Use the expiration calculator to track your deadline.
Planning Your Visit to Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts is located at 73 W. Flagler Street, Suite 1400, Miami, FL 33130. Miami-Dade processes more marriage licenses than any other Florida county. International tourism, a large Cuban-American and Latin American immigrant community, and South Beach destination weddings drive volume. The clerk's office is in the downtown Miami courthouse near the Metromover Government Center station.
Non-Florida residents automatically receive the waiting period waiver — no additional paperwork needed. The majority of Miami-Dade applicants are either Florida residents (who may face the 3-day wait) or tourists/destination couples (who don't). Clarify your residency status on the application.
What Makes Miami-Dade County, Florida Different
Miami-Dade processes more marriage licenses than any other Florida county. International tourism, a large Cuban-American and Latin American immigrant community, and South Beach destination weddings drive volume. The clerk's office is in the downtown Miami courthouse near the Metromover Government Center station.
Timeline: From Application to Certified Copies
Here is the complete sequence for a Miami-Dade 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 Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts. Bring photo IDs, Social Security numbers, and the $115 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 Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts 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 Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts on your application day. No signup required.