Florida Same-Sex Marriage Licenses: What You Need to Know

As clerks of the court throughout Florida prepare to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, Tampa Bay area offices are gearing up for the rush.

Clerks in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota and Manatee counties have all indicated they will follow U.S. District Court Judge Robert Hinkle’s ruling. That means licenses will become available when clerks’ offices open for business Tuesday. There are some things, however, that marriage license seekers need to know about before they head to their local courthouses.

Here is a county-by-county breakdown of information same-sex couples need to know:

Pasco County

The clerk’s office will begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 6. Local judges have stated they will review individual requests to waive the three-day waiting period.

Couples who wish to get married won’t be able to do so at either the Dade City or New Port Richey courthouse, however. The clerk’s office said it will pass along information about local notaries who will facilitate ceremonies.

For more information, visit the Pasco clerk’s office online.

Hillsborough County

The Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court will begin issuing licenses at 8 a.m. Tuesday when the office opens. The cost for a license is $93.50 and the three-day waiting period will be waived for same-sex couples Tuesday through Friday. The waiver applies only to same-sex couples.

Clerk Pat Frank plans to perform a group marriage ceremony at noon on Tuesday in the Official Records Department, Room 140, 419 Pierce St., or at Joe Chillura Park. Participants must have obtained their license by 11:45 a.m. Tuesday.

The cost for a courthouse ceremony is an additional $30.

For more information about Hillsborough plans, visit the clerk’s office online.

Pinellas County

Clerk Ken Burke posted on his office’s Facebook page that his office will begin issuing marriage licenses Tuesday morning and has intentions to perform ceremonies. That office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information and locations, visit the clerk’s office online.

Manatee County

Manatee County will begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday. It is unclear if courthouse weddings will be performed. For more information, visit the clerk’s office online.

Sarasota County

Karen E. Rushing, the county’s clerk and comptroller, has announced she will begin issuing “marriage licenses to all couples” at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday. It is unclear if courthouse weddings will be offered. For more information, visit the clerk’s office online.

General Marriage License Requirements

The state of Florida requires that marriage license applicants be 18 years of age or older. Those age 16 or 17 may apply, but must have written parental consent from both parents. In addition, these requirements must be met by both parties:

• Presentation of a valid photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport
• Presentation of a Social Security Number or identifying immigration number
• A statement of having read the state’s Family Law Handbook
• Completion of the Marriage License Information Sheet
• If either party has been divorced or widowed, they must know the month, date and year the last marriage ended
• For those whose prior marriage ended within the last 30 days, a certified copy of a divorce decree or death certificate is required.

The state normally has a 3-day waiting period for residents who have not completed a premarital preparation course. In some counties, this waiting period is being waived for same-sex couples. There is no waiting period for non-Florida residents.

For associated costs, information about the waiting period and other information, visit the appropriate clerk of the court’s office online.

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