The Acreage City Florida marriage records are public files kept by the Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller office in West Palm Beach. The Acreage is an unincorporated community in the western part of Palm Beach County.
It has no city hall of its own. Residents drive east to the county clerk office to apply for a license, hold a ceremony, or order a certified copy of a marriage certificate.
Where Acreage Residents Get Marriage Licenses
The Acreage does not have a local clerk office. Palm Beach County runs every marriage license service from one main building. Couples from The Acreage travel to the clerk office in downtown West Palm Beach for every step of the marriage process. The trip east is a regular part of getting married for residents of this western community.
Palm Beach County Clerk Office Location
The Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller handles every marriage license issued in the county. The main office sits at 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The main phone line is (561) 355-2996 for questions about applications, fees, or record copies.
Required ID and Documents
Both people must go to the clerk office together. Each person needs a valid photo ID. The clerk accepts driver licenses, state IDs, passports, military IDs, and naturalization certificates. U.S. citizens must give a Social Security number. People born outside the U.S. can show a passport or naturalization paper instead of a Social Security number.
If either person was married before, the exact date the prior marriage ended is required. This includes the date of a divorce, annulment, or death of a former spouse. No blood tests, physical exams, or proof of Florida residency are needed to apply for the license. The clerk only needs the IDs and the prior marriage date.
Travel Time From The Acreage
The Acreage sits about 20 miles west of the clerk office in West Palm Beach. The drive takes 30 to 45 minutes by car. Most drivers use Northlake Boulevard or Southern Boulevard to reach the coast. Couples should plan their trip around traffic, since both routes get packed during rush hour. Going early in the morning or midweek often saves time.
Marriage License Fees in Florida
Florida sets statewide marriage license fees. The Palm Beach County Clerk charges the same fee as every other county in the state. Couples pay the full fee at the counter unless they complete an approved premarital preparation course. The fee covers the application and one certified copy of the marriage certificate after the wedding.
Standard License Cost
The standard marriage license fee in Florida is $86. This fee covers the license itself and one certified copy of the marriage certificate. Couples pay this fee when they first apply at the clerk office. The fee is the same for Florida residents and out-of-state applicants.
Discount With Premarital Course
The fee drops to $61 if either partner shows a valid premarital preparation course certificate. The course must come from a registered Florida provider listed with the clerk. Couples must complete the course within 12 months of applying. The course also skips the three-day waiting period for Florida residents. Online courses run about four hours and cost between $20 and $40 from approved providers.
Ceremony and Copy Fees
The clerk offers a short civil ceremony for $30 at the West Palm Beach office. Couples who marry at the courthouse pay this fee on top of the license fee. A duplicate marriage license costs $30 if the original is lost or damaged. Certified copies of the marriage certificate cost $5 each from the county clerk for the first copy, then $4 for each extra copy of the same record.
Payment Methods and Fee Summary
The clerk accepts cash, credit cards, and debit cards at the counter. Personal checks are not accepted at the clerk office. The table below shows the full fee breakdown for marriage licenses and related services in Palm Beach County.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Marriage License | $86 | Includes one certified copy |
| License With Course Certificate | $61 | Course must be state approved |
| Civil Ceremony at Clerk Office | $30 | Added to license fee |
| Duplicate License | $30 | Lost or damaged original |
| Additional Certified Copy | $4 | Per extra copy |
Florida Marriage License Rules
Florida law sets clear rules for who can marry and how the license works. The clerk office follows Florida Statutes Chapter 741 for every license issued in the state. Couples should know these rules before driving to West Palm Beach. The clerk reviews every detail at the counter before issuing the license.
Waiting Period Requirements
Florida has a three-day waiting period between the application and the license. The clock starts the day after the application. Couples cannot marry until the waiting period ends. Out-of-state residents skip the wait. The premarital preparation course skips the wait for everyone who completes it. The license itself stays valid for 60 days from the issue date.
Age and Residency Rules
Both partners must be at least 18 years old to marry without parent consent. Florida residents must show a Florida driver license or state ID. People from other states can use any U.S. government-issued photo ID. The clerk does not require proof of citizenship or legal residency for the marriage itself. The clerk accepts any valid photo ID with a name and date of birth.
Prior Marriage Information
Couples must tell the clerk about every prior marriage. The clerk needs the exact date the prior marriage ended. Divorce decrees, annulment papers, or death certificates serve as proof for the date. The clerk records this date in the marriage application file. People who do not have a copy of the decree can still apply, but the clerk may ask for extra paperwork before issuing the license.
Searching Marriage Records Online
Florida marriage records are public under state law. Anyone can search for a record by name. Three main sources offer online searches for Palm Beach County and statewide marriage data. Acreage residents can check records from home before driving to the clerk office.
Palm Beach County Records Search
The Palm Beach County Clerk website offers a free online records search. Users can look up marriage records by name. Search results show both parties’ names and the date of the license. The free search saves Acreage residents a trip to West Palm Beach just to check on a record. The search covers marriages recorded in Palm Beach County from 1970 onward in most cases.
Florida Department of Health Search
The Florida Department of Health holds statewide marriage records from June 6, 1927 onward. The DOH search costs $5 for a record lookup and one certified copy. Each additional copy costs $4. The DOH office is in Jacksonville. Most Acreage residents use the county clerk first, then contact the DOH for older records that do not show up in the county system.
VitalChek and Other Services
VitalChek is the official third-party service for Florida vital records. A search and one certified copy costs $15 through VitalChek, plus a processing fee. VitalChek accepts orders online or by phone. The service works well for people who live out of state and need a Florida marriage certificate. VitalChek sends orders by mail within 5 to 10 business days for most records.
Records Before 1927
The state did not start collecting marriage data until June 6, 1927. Any marriage recorded before that date exists only at the county level. The Palm Beach County Clerk holds paper records from before 1927 in the county archives. Some very old records may need a direct visit to the clerk office in West Palm Beach. The clerk staff can pull older paper files by name and date range for a small search fee.
Requesting Certified Copies
Certified copies of marriage certificates prove a marriage took place. Banks, courts, and government agencies require certified copies for name changes, immigration papers, and benefits requests. Acreage residents have three ways to request certified copies from the county. Each method has its own cost, speed, and paperwork rules.
In-Person Orders
Couples or family members can visit the clerk office at 205 North Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach. The office issues certified copies the same day in most cases. Visitors need a photo ID to pick up the records. The cost is $5 for the first copy and $4 for each extra copy of the same record. In-person orders work well for people who need the certificate right away for travel or court dates.
Mail-In Orders
Mail requests work well for Acreage couples who want to skip the drive. Send a written request to the Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller, 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The request must include both names on the record, the approximate marriage date, and payment. A self-addressed stamped envelope speeds up the return. Mail orders take 7 to 14 business days to arrive.
Online and Phone Orders
The clerk website accepts online orders for certified copies. Users pay by credit card. The DOH and VitalChek also take online orders. Phone orders are open through VitalChek for an extra fee. Most certified copies arrive within 5 to 10 business days by mail. Expedited shipping is available through VitalChek for an added cost for time-sensitive orders.
Officiant Rules and Filing Process
Florida law lists who can perform a wedding ceremony. The clerk office records the signed license after the wedding. The officiant handles the paperwork that makes the marriage legal. Couples should confirm their officiant follows these rules before the wedding day.
Who Can Officiate in Florida
Florida allows ordained ministers, judges, clerks of court, deputies of clerks of court, and Florida notaries public to officiate weddings. Online ordination is accepted as long as the minister can show proof of ordination. No witnesses are required by Florida law for a valid ceremony. The officiant must sign the marriage license in front of the couple for the license to be valid.
Filing the Signed License
The officiant signs the marriage license after the ceremony. The officiant must return the signed license to the clerk office within 10 days. The clerk records the marriage in the county system. The clerk then sends the data to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville for the statewide file. The state file makes the certificate available through the DOH for future orders.
Wedding Venues in The Acreage
The Acreage has large private lots and rural settings. Many local couples pick outdoor venues for their wedding. The license from Palm Beach County works for ceremonies anywhere in Florida. Couples do not have to marry inside the county where they got the license.
Outdoor Property Ceremonies
Many Acreage residents own property with open space for outdoor weddings. Large backyards, horse farms, and ranch-style lots are popular choices. Couples often set up chairs, an arch, and a small reception area on the property. The wedding must use a licensed officiant to be legal. Couples should confirm the officiant will file the signed license within 10 days of the ceremony date.
Courthouse Wedding Options
The Palm Beach County Clerk offers civil ceremonies for $30. The ceremony takes place at the clerk office in West Palm Beach. Couples bring up to four guests. The ceremony is short but legal in all of Florida and across the United States. Couples who want a quick legal marriage pick this option over a large wedding event.
License Use Across Florida
A Florida marriage license is valid for 60 days from the issue date. Couples can use the license at any location in the state. The license expires at the end of the 60-day window. Couples who miss the deadline must apply for a new license and pay the fee again. Out-of-state weddings are not covered by a Florida marriage license.
Contact The Palm Beach County Clerk
The Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller office handles every marriage record for The Acreage community. Residents can reach the office by phone, mail, or in person during business hours. The clerk staff answers questions about applications, fees, and record copies. Couples should call before driving to confirm hours and document needs.
Office: Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller
Address: 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 355-2996
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Website: mypalmbeachclerk.com
Florida Department of Health: floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/marriage-certificates
Frequently Asked Questions
These common questions cover marriage records, license rules, and certified copies for residents of The Acreage. Each answer gives direct facts about Florida marriage laws and Palm Beach County procedures. The answers below reflect the rules set by Florida Statutes Chapter 741 and the Palm Beach County Clerk office as of 2026.
How long does a Florida marriage license last?
A Florida marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date the clerk issues it. Couples must hold the wedding ceremony within those 60 days. The license expires at the end of the 60-day window. Couples who miss the deadline must apply for a new license and pay the fee again. The 60-day clock starts on the issue date, not the application date. The waiting period does not count against the 60-day window. Couples can apply, wait three days, and still have close to 60 days to hold the wedding. The license must be used inside the state of Florida for the marriage to be legal under state law.
Can non-Florida residents marry in The Acreage?
Yes. Out-of-state residents can apply for a marriage license in Palm Beach County. They do not face the three-day waiting period that Florida residents face. They still need a valid photo ID. The license works for any wedding venue in Florida, including venues in The Acreage. Couples from other states or other countries can use the same application form at the clerk office. The clerk does not require proof of residency for the marriage itself. The license still costs $86 unless the couple completes a premarital preparation course, which drops the fee to $61.
What happens if the officiant forgets to file the signed license?
If the officiant misses the 10-day filing deadline, the marriage is still legal in Florida. The couple can still get a certified copy of the marriage certificate. The clerk office charges an extra fee to file a late signed license. Couples should remind the officiant to send the paperwork to the clerk on time. The clerk will accept late filings for marriages that already took place. The signed license and the ceremony itself prove the marriage happened. Couples who do not see their record in the online search should call the clerk office to check the status of the filing.
How do I correct an error on my marriage certificate?
Couples must file a correction request with the clerk office that issued the license. Small spelling errors need a sworn statement and a small fee. Major errors need a court order to fix. The DOH also has a correction process for records on file with the state vital records office. Common errors include misspelled names, wrong dates, and wrong county codes. The clerk office can guide couples on which form to use for each type of correction. The process usually takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date the clerk receives the correction request. Couples should not wait to file a correction because errors can cause problems with name changes, passport applications, and Social Security updates.
Are Acreage marriage records public to anyone?
Yes. Florida marriage records are public under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Anyone can search the Palm Beach County online records system by name. The clerk removes Social Security numbers and other private details before releasing certified copies to the public. The online search shows names and dates only. Certified copies include the full record with signatures and officiant details. People who want to keep their marriage private can ask the clerk about restricted access, but this only applies to recent records. Most older records stay public forever under Florida law.
Can I get a Florida marriage certificate apostille?
Yes. The Florida Department of State handles apostille requests for marriage certificates. An apostille proves the document is real for use in foreign countries that joined the Hague Convention. The clerk office can tell couples how to request an apostille after they get their certified copy. The apostille process takes about 5 to 10 business days through the Florida Department of State. Couples who need the document for immigration or international travel often order the apostille at the same time as the certified copy. The fee for the apostille is set by the Department of State and may change each year.
How long does it take to get a certified copy by mail?
Mail requests through the Palm Beach County Clerk usually arrive within 7 to 14 business days. Online orders through the clerk or VitalChek often arrive faster. The Florida Department of Health mail orders can take 4 to 6 weeks for older records that need extra research. Couples who need the document fast should order online through the clerk website. Expedited shipping is available through VitalChek for an added fee. The clerk office in West Palm Beach issues same-day certified copies for people who visit in person with a photo ID.