St Johns County Florida marriage records are official documents kept by the St Johns County Clerk of Court office in St Augustine. These records show when a couple got married, the date the license was issued, and who performed the ceremony.
People ask for these records to prove a legal marriage, change a last name, or trace family history. The Clerk office keeps all county records. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps statewide records from June 6, 1927 to today.
St Johns County Clerk of Court Office
The Clerk of Court serves as the main record keeper for marriage licenses in the county. The office handles new license applications, performs civil ceremonies, and provides certified copies of past records. Couples living in St Augustine, Fruit Cove, Ponte Vedra Beach, or any other part of the county must apply at this office. The Clerk also sends records to the state office after the wedding takes place.
Location and Contact Details
The Clerk office sits in downtown St Augustine. The full address is 4010 Lewis Speedway, St Augustine, FL 32084. The main phone line for marriage services is (904) 819-3632. The official website is stjohnsclerk.com. The office accepts written requests by mail at the same address.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office Name | St Johns County Clerk of Court |
| Street Address | 4010 Lewis Speedway |
| City | St Augustine, FL 32084 |
| Phone Number | (904) 819-3632 |
| Website | stjohnsclerk.com |
| County Seat | St Augustine |
Office Hours and Services
The office opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office closes on weekends and state holidays. Marriage license services stop 30 minutes before closing time so staff can finish paperwork. The Clerk also runs a small satellite office in the county for basic services. Call ahead to check which office can help with your specific request.
The Clerk office offers several core services to the public:
- Marriage license applications for new couples
- Civil marriage ceremonies performed by a deputy clerk
- Certified copies of past marriage certificates
- Online record searches for old licenses
- Marriage record corrections for name or date errors
- Apostille processing for records used abroad
How to Apply for a Marriage License
Couples must apply for a marriage license before the wedding can take place. Florida law requires both people to appear together at the Clerk office. The application takes about 20 to 30 minutes if all paperwork is ready. The Clerk issues the license the same day in most cases.
Who Must Appear in Person
Both people planning to marry must show up at the same time. No one can apply on behalf of another person. A power of attorney does not work for marriage licenses under Florida law. Both people must show valid photo ID and sign the application in front of the clerk. If one person cannot come, the application cannot move forward.
Documents You Need to Bring
Florida law lists the exact items each person must bring. The Clerk checks each document before issuing the license. Missing any one item means the application cannot be processed that day.
The required items include the following:
- A valid photo ID such as a driver license, passport, or state ID card
- Social Security numbers for U.S. citizens
- The exact date any prior marriage ended by divorce, death, or annulment
- Cash, credit card, or money order to pay the license fee
- Proof of a completed premarital course if seeking the discount
After the Application
Once the clerk approves the application, the license prints right away. The couple gets the original license to give to their wedding officiant. The Clerk keeps a copy in the county records. Florida law requires couples to read the Family Law Handbook before the license is granted. The Florida Bar publishes this free handbook under Section 741.0306.
Marriage License Fees in St Johns County
The Clerk collects fees at the time of application. Section 741.0305 of Florida Statutes sets the base price. The fee drops for couples who finish an approved premarital course. All major payment forms are accepted at the counter.
Standard License Cost
The base fee for a marriage license in St Johns County is $86. This amount includes several small charges set by state law. A $2 application fee is part of the total. Another $25 goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund under Section 741.01. The rest covers county processing costs.
Premarital Course Discount
Couples who finish a state approved premarital course pay only $61 for the license. The course must be taken within one year before the application date. The certificate from the course must be shown at the counter. This same course removes the three day waiting period for Florida residents.
Ceremony and Extra Charges
A civil ceremony performed at the Clerk office costs an extra $30. The ceremony is short and takes about 10 minutes. Witnesses are not required for a civil ceremony in Florida. Couples can bring their own officiant if they prefer a different ceremony style.
Waiting Period and License Rules
Florida law sets clear rules on how soon a wedding can happen after the license is issued. The license has an expiration date. Couples must plan around both rules.
Three Day Waiting Period
Florida residents must wait three days after the license is issued before the wedding can take place. The waiting period starts the day after the license is printed. The Clerk gives a printed sheet with the exact date the waiting period ends. A premarital course certificate removes this waiting period for Florida residents.
License Validity Time
Under Section 741.041, a Florida marriage license stays valid for 60 days from the issue date. The wedding must take place during this window. If the wedding does not happen in time, the couple must apply for a new license and pay the fee again. A license from one Florida county works for a wedding held in any other Florida county.
Out of State Couples
Couples who do not live in Florida do not have to wait three days. They can marry the same day they apply. The 60 day validity rule still applies to them. Many couples travel to Florida for destination weddings using this fast process.
After the Wedding Ceremony
The officiant and witnesses sign the marriage license after the ceremony. The signed document must go back to the issuing Clerk office. The Clerk records the marriage and sends the data to the state office.
Returning the Signed License
The person who performed the ceremony must return the signed license to the St Johns County Clerk within 10 days of the wedding. The Clerk office accepts mail or in person drop off. A late return can delay the official record and the certified certificate.
Getting the Recorded Certificate
The Clerk records the marriage and creates the official certificate. The certificate is sent to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics for the statewide index. A certified copy can be ordered from either office after the recording is complete. Most certified copies are ready within two to four weeks after the wedding.
Searching St Johns Marriage Records
People often want to check old marriage records for family history or legal reasons. Several online and in person tools help with this search. Records older than certain dates may only be at the county level.
Clerk Online Search Tools
The St Johns County Clerk website offers online tools for searching recorded documents. These tools may let you view marriage license images and index entries. Free searches may be available for basic lookups. Certified copies still require a formal request through the Clerk office.
The Clerk website offers pre-applications for new marriage licenses. This step saves time at the counter. Visitors can check the current status of pending records on the site.
Statewide Records Online
The My Florida County Records portal covers many counties at once. The site lets you search recorded documents across participating counties. The Florida Department of Health links to its contracted vendor for statewide vital record orders.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The state office in Jacksonville keeps a statewide marriage index. This index makes it easier to find records from any Florida county. The state office is the best place to start when the county of marriage is not known.
Records From 1927 Forward
The Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps all Florida marriage certificates from June 6, 1927 to the present day. Records before this date are only at the county Clerk office that issued the license. The state office charges a set fee for each certified copy ordered through its vendor.
Records Before 1927
Older marriage records from the 1800s and early 1900s stay at the county Clerk office. Many of these records have been scanned and indexed online. Some records may require an in person visit to view the original book. Florida did not start statewide marriage record keeping until 1927.
Requesting Certified Copies
A certified copy of a marriage certificate has a raised seal or stamp from the issuing office. Courts, federal agencies, and many businesses ask for certified copies. The Clerk office and the state office both process these requests.
In Person Requests
The Clerk office handles walk in requests for certified copies during business hours. The office charges a set fee per copy. Visitors fill out a short request form with the names on the record and the marriage year. Payment is due at the counter. Most copies are ready the same day.
Mail Requests
Mail requests work for people who cannot visit the office in person. The request form must include both full names on the record, the year of marriage, and a signed payment. A self addressed stamped envelope must be included for the return mail. Mail requests take longer to process than in person orders.
Online and Phone Orders
The state office uses VitalChek as its only contracted vendor for online orders. The cost is $15 for the state fee plus a $7 processing charge per copy. Phone orders go to 1-877-550-7330. Processing takes 3 to 5 business days for records from 1970 forward. Older records may need more time.
Public Access and Privacy
Florida law treats marriage records as public documents. Most details on a marriage record are open to anyone. A few private details stay sealed by law.
What Information Is Public
The full names of both spouses, the marriage date, and the filing county are all part of the public record. The license number and the officiant name appear on the public index. Florida Statutes Chapter 119 opens these records for inspection and copying. Section 119.07 caps regular copy fees at 15 cents per page.
Protected Personal Details
Social Security numbers stay sealed under Section 119.071. Bank account details and certain identity data stay protected. The Clerk office blocks these fields from public view. The full certificate copy given to the couple shows all data. The public index shows only open fields.
Marriage Records for Genealogy
Genealogy researchers often use marriage records to trace family lines. St Johns County has records going back to the 1800s. Local libraries and archives keep helpful history tools.
Local Historical Records
The St Johns County Clerk office keeps older marriage license books in its archive room. Many of these books have been scanned and indexed online. Researchers can ask the archive staff for help with very old records. The local public library keeps St Augustine marriage history files.
Statewide Archive Access
FamilySearch and Ancestry both have Florida marriage record collections. These sites pull images from the state archive and county Clerks. A free FamilySearch account gives access to many older records. A paid Ancestry subscription gives access to more indexed names and search tools.
Replacing a Lost Certificate
Lost or damaged certificates can be replaced. The replacement is a certified copy of the recorded marriage. The process works the same as ordering any other certified copy.
Eligibility for Replacement
Anyone can order a certified copy of a Florida marriage record. The state does not require proof of relationship for recent records. The applicant pays the set fee and gets a copy with a fresh seal. Older records may need extra time to pull from paper archives.
Correcting Errors on a Record
Errors on a marriage certificate can be fixed through the Clerk office. Common errors include misspelled names, wrong birth dates, and wrong county data. The Clerk can fix minor issues with a sworn statement. Major changes need a court order. Section 741.05 covers the correction rules in Florida.
Apostille and Out of State Use
An apostille is a special stamp that makes a Florida document valid in other countries. Countries that signed the Hague Convention accept apostilled records. The Florida Secretary of State issues apostilles for vital records.
When an Apostille Is Needed
Couples who move abroad or get married in Florida for immigration reasons often need an apostille. Countries in the European Union, much of South America, and parts of Asia accept apostilles. Some countries still ask for full embassy legalization instead. Check with the destination country before ordering the apostille.
How to Get an Apostille
The Clerk office can certify the document first. The Secretary of State office in Tallahassee adds the apostille stamp. The process takes a few business days. The Florida Department of State website has the latest forms and fees for this service.
Cities and Communities Served
The St Johns County Clerk office serves every city and town within the county border. All marriage license applicants must go through the county office regardless of where they live.
Main Cities in St Johns County
St Augustine serves as the county seat and the home of the Clerk office. Fruit Cove, Ponte Vedra Beach, St Augustine Beach, and Nocatee are the other main communities. Each community sends residents to the same Clerk office for marriage services. No city runs its own marriage license office.
Nearby Counties With Their Clerks
Couples who live near the county border sometimes choose a different Clerk office. Each nearby county runs its own Clerk office with its own fee schedule. The four counties that border St Johns are Clay, Duval, Flagler, and Putnam.
| County | County Seat |
|---|---|
| Clay County | Green Cove Springs |
| Duval County | Jacksonville |
| Flagler County | Bunnell |
| Putnam County | Palatka |
Clerk Contact Details and Map
The Clerk office handles all marriage record work in St Johns County. The office accepts walk in visitors, mail requests, and some online orders. Visitors should call ahead during busy seasons with high wedding demand to confirm wait times.
Official website: stjohnsclerk.com
Phone: (904) 819-3632
Visiting hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Address: 4010 Lewis Speedway, St Augustine, FL 32084
Frequently Asked Questions
People often ask similar questions about St Johns County marriage records. The answers below cover the most common requests. Each answer gives a clear path to the next step for the reader. Call the Clerk office at (904) 819-3632 for any case not covered here.
How long does it take to get a certified copy?
A certified copy from the St Johns County Clerk office takes about 1 to 3 business days for in person orders. Mail orders take 1 to 2 weeks based on mail service speed. Online orders through VitalChek take 3 to 5 business days for records from 1970 forward. Older records may take 2 to 4 weeks to pull from the county archive. Rush service is not always available for older records, so plan ahead for time sensitive legal matters.
Can I get a copy if I am not the spouse on the record?
Yes, anyone can order a certified copy of a Florida marriage record. The state does not require proof of relationship for recent records. The applicant fills out the request form and pays the fee. Social Security numbers and bank data stay sealed even on certified copies given to non spouses. The public version of the certificate shows the names, date, and county on the record.
What if the marriage happened less than 60 days ago?
The Clerk office that issued the license is the best place to check for recent marriages. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics may not have received the record yet. Recent records take time to move from the county office to the state index. Call the St Johns County Clerk at (904) 819-3632 to check the current status of a new record. The Clerk can confirm when the record is ready for certified copy orders.
Are old marriage records from the 1800s still available?
Yes, the St Johns County Clerk office keeps marriage license books from the 1800s. Many of these books have been scanned and indexed online. Some very old books may need an in person visit to view the original pages. The local St Augustine history library keeps old church and civil marriage records. Researchers can ask the Clerk archive staff for help finding the right book.
Do I need an appointment for a marriage license?
St Johns County does not require an appointment for marriage license applications. Walk in visitors are served during regular business hours. Spring and fall are busy seasons with high wedding demand. The Clerk suggests coming in the morning for shorter wait times. Call (904) 819-3632 to ask about current wait times before visiting.
Can a proxy or power of attorney apply for me?
No, Florida law requires both people to appear together at the Clerk office. A power of attorney does not work for marriage license applications. Both people must sign the form in front of the clerk. The only exception is for members of the military on active duty under certain federal rules. Civil unions from other states do not count as prior marriages for the waiting period rules.
How do I fix a name spelling error on my certificate?
The Clerk office can fix minor spelling errors with a sworn statement. The couple fills out a short correction form and shows valid ID. Major errors like wrong birth dates need a court order. Section 741.05 covers the correction rules in Florida. The Clerk office staff can guide you on the right form for the type of error.