Kendall West City Florida marriage records are public files kept by Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida. Anyone can search these records by name, date, or license number.
You can order a certified copy online, by mail, or in person at the clerk office. This page explains where to look, what fees to pay, and what papers you need.
Where to Get Kendall West Marriage Records
Two main offices handle marriage records for Kendall West. The county clerk issues new licenses and stores local records. The state health department keeps records from across Florida starting in 1927. Most people start with the county clerk because it is faster and costs less for records in this area.
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court Role
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Court runs the Marriage License Bureau. This office issues all new marriage licenses in the county. The clerk keeps records of marriages that took place in Kendall West. The clerk office files the signed license after the wedding and creates certified copies for anyone who asks. You can reach them at (786) 469-2400 during business hours. Their main office sits at 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136.
Florida Department of Health State Records
The Florida Department of Health runs the Bureau of Vital Statistics. This state office has marriage records from June 6, 1927 to today. It works as a backup source if the county office cannot locate an older record. The state office charges $5 for the first copy and $4 for each extra copy. State records work for legal name changes, passport applications, and other proof-of-marriage needs.
Marriage License Costs and Fees
Florida law sets the base cost for a marriage license. The clerk may add small service fees for certain steps. You can pay with cash, credit card, or money order at most locations. The table below shows what each service costs right now in Miami-Dade County.
| Service Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard marriage license | $86 |
| License with premarital course | $61 |
| Clerk ceremony | $30 |
| Duplicate license | $30 |
| Amendment to license | $30 plus court order |
| First certified copy | $9 |
| Each extra certified copy | $7 |
| Year-by-year search | $2 per year |
| State certified copy (DOH) | $5 first, $4 extra |
| VitalChek state order | $15 plus $7 fee |
Standard License Fees
A regular marriage license costs $86 in Miami-Dade County. This fee covers the license itself plus the clerk’s processing work. Both people must appear in person to pay and sign. The license stays valid for 60 days from the date of issue. If you do not marry within those 60 days, you must buy a new license and pay again.
Reduced Fees and Course Options
You can pay a lower fee of $61 if you finish a premarital course. Florida Statute 741.0305 says this course must come from a registered provider. You must complete it within one year of applying for the license. The course also removes the three-day waiting period for Florida residents. Many couples pick this option to save money and cut the wait.
Certified Copy Costs
A certified copy of a marriage record costs $9 for the first copy. Each extra copy at the same time costs $7. If you do not know the exact date, you can ask for a year-by-year search at $2 per year. The clerk office takes cash or credit card for in-person orders. Mail orders need a cashier’s check or money order payable to Clerk of the Courts.
How to Search Kendall West Marriage Records Online
You can search for marriage records from your phone or computer. The county clerk runs a free search tool. The state health department also has a search site. These online tools cover most marriages from 1971 to today. Older records may need a phone call or mail request.
Miami-Dade Online Marriage Database
The Miami-Dade Clerk runs an online Marriage License Bureau search at www2.miamidadeclerk.gov/mlsweb. You can search by full name, last name only, or license number. The database shows both names of the couple and the date of the marriage. This tool is free and open 24 hours a day. Records go back to 1971 and get new entries each week.
Florida Statewide Search Tools
The Florida Department of Health works with VitalChek at vitalchek.com/v/marriage-records/florida. You can search by name and date range across all Florida counties. This site costs more than the county tool. It works well when you do not know which county the marriage took place in. State searches also help with genealogy projects that cover many Florida families.
Records Before 1971 Lookup
Marriage records before 1971 are not in the online search. You must call the county clerk at (786) 469-2400 to ask about older records. The clerk staff will check paper files by hand. Records before June 6, 1927 stay only at the county level. State records begin on that date when Florida started collecting marriage data statewide.
Marriage License Application Requirements
Florida has clear rules about who can marry and what papers you need. Both people must show up at the clerk office together. The clerk will check your ID and ask basic questions. You must not be married to anyone else at the time of the new marriage.
Documents and ID Needed
Both applicants must bring photo ID to the clerk office. Accepted forms of ID are:
- Driver license from any U.S. state
- U.S. passport
- Military identification card
- State-issued identification card
- Alien registration card
- Naturalization certificate
U.S. citizens must also give their Social Security number. If you were married before, bring the exact date your last marriage ended. The clerk checks this date to make sure you are legally free to marry again.
Waiting Period Rules
Florida has a three-day waiting period for residents. The clock starts the day after you apply. You can marry on the fourth day at the earliest. Out-of-state residents have no waiting period. Florida residents can skip the wait by finishing a premarital course within the last year. The course must come from a registered Florida provider.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
Florida Statute 741.07 lists who can officiate a marriage. The list has ordained ministers, rabbis, priests, judges, clerks of court, deputy clerks, and Florida notary publics. The officiant signs the license after the ceremony and returns it to the clerk office. The clerk must record the license within 10 days of the wedding. Full recording at the state level takes about 60 days more.
How to Order Certified Marriage Copies
Certified copies have a raised seal or stamp that proves they are real. Banks, courts, and federal agencies often require certified copies. You can order them three ways. Pick the method that fits your time and budget.
Online Ordering Steps
Visit the Miami-Dade clerk website at miamidadeclerk.gov. Go to the marriage license page and click the certified copies link. Fill in the name of both spouses and the date of marriage. Pay with a credit card. The clerk will mail the certified copy to your home. Most orders ship within five business days.
In-Person and Mail Requests
You can visit the Marriage License Bureau at 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring a photo ID and the marriage details. For mail requests, send a written note with both names, the date, and a cashier’s check or money order. Mail the request to the clerk office at the same downtown address.
Kendall West Marriage Records for Genealogy
Marriage records help people trace their family tree. They show full names, ages, and sometimes parents’ names. Florida keeps these records longer than most other states. Researchers can use them to build family history projects going back many generations.
Historical Records Access
Records older than 100 years are fully open to the public. The clerk office has paper files going back to the 1800s for some Florida counties. You can ask to view these files in person. Staff will pull the file and let you copy it by hand or take photos. There is no fee to view old files. Copies cost a small amount per page.
Archive Locations
The Florida State Archives in Tallahassee holds older marriage records. You can visit the archive or order copies online. The archive has records from many counties on microfilm. Family history groups often scan these films and post them online. Church records and newspaper announcements can also help fill gaps in official files.
Kendall West Public Records Access
Marriage records fall under Florida public records law. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes opens these files to anyone. You do not need to show a reason to view or copy a record. The clerk office redacts Social Security numbers before showing files to the public. Other private details stay hidden in select cases under Section 119.071.
Who Can Request Records
Anyone can request Kendall West marriage records. You do not need to be a family member or legal representative. You do not need to live in Florida. You can request a record for yourself, a relative, or a third party. The clerk charges the same fee no matter who asks for the record.
Confidential Filing Options
Florida does allow confidential marriage filings in special cases. A judge must sign off on a confidential record. This option serves people in danger from a former partner. The court file stays sealed from the public. You can ask the clerk office about the form and steps for a confidential filing.
Contact Details and Office Hours
Below is the full contact data for the offices that handle Kendall West marriage records. Save these details for quick reference. You can call during business hours or visit in person. The clerk office also answers email questions through the website.
Miami-Dade Clerk Office Address
Main office: Overtown Transit Village South, 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136. Phone: (786) 469-2400. Website: www.miamidadeclerk.gov. Email contact is on the clerk website under the contact page. The office sits near the Government Center Metrorail station. Parking is available in the building garage for a fee.
Phone and Hours
Phone line: (786) 469-2400. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The office closes on all federal and Florida state holidays. You can book an appointment online to cut your wait time. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. The phone line gets busy near lunch, so call early in the day for fastest service.
Other Office Locations
Miami-Dade County runs six district court locations. Kendall West residents in the southwest part of the county may find a closer location than the main downtown office. Each district court can process marriage license applications. The closest district court to Kendall West is the Kendall Courthouse at 11735 SW 147th Avenue, Miami, FL 33196. Call the main number for hours at each branch.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kendall West Records
People often ask similar questions about marriage records in Kendall West. Below are the most common ones with clear, direct answers. These cover legal use, online search, fees, and timing. Each answer gives you the facts you need to take the next step.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Certified Copy?
Online orders through the clerk website ship within five business days. Mail orders take two to three weeks. In-person orders at the downtown office give you the copy the same day. VitalChek orders from the state can take up to four weeks. Plan ahead if you need the copy for a legal deadline. Rush service may cost extra and is only available for in-person orders at the main office. The clerk office can ship copies by priority mail for an added fee if you call ahead.
Can Anyone View My Marriage Record?
Yes, marriage records are public under Florida law. Anyone can search the online database by name. Anyone can order a certified copy for any reason. Social Security numbers stay hidden from public view. The clerk redacts these numbers before showing files to the public. Other private details may also be hidden in certain cases like sealed court orders. You can ask the clerk office what details will appear on a public copy before you order.
What If I Do Not Know the Date of Marriage?
You can still search by name at the online tool. The clerk also offers year-by-year searches at $2 per year. You pick a range of years and the clerk checks each one. This option works well for older records that are not in the online database. The clerk staff can help narrow down the exact date. They may ask for the full names of both spouses and a rough year to start the search.
Is a Florida Marriage License Valid in Other States?
Yes, a Florida marriage license works for weddings in any Florida county. It does not work for weddings in other states. If you want to marry in Georgia, you must buy a Georgia license. The license stays valid for 60 days from the date of issue. You must marry within that time in Florida. The license becomes void after 60 days and you must buy a new one if you have not married yet.
Can I Get Married the Same Day I Apply?
Out-of-state residents can marry the same day they apply. Florida residents must wait three days. The waiting period starts the day after you apply. So if you apply on Monday, you can marry on Friday at the earliest. A premarital course removes this wait for residents. The course must come from a registered Florida provider and must be finished within one year of the license application.
Do I Need a Witness at My Wedding?
Florida law does not require a witness. The officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk. Even so, many couples still pick one or two witnesses. Witnesses can help if there is any legal question about the ceremony. They serve as backup proof that the wedding took place. Some religious ceremonies require witnesses by custom even if state law does not ask for them.
What Forms of ID Are Accepted?
The clerk accepts driver licenses, state IDs, passports, military IDs, alien registration cards, and naturalization certificates. Both people must bring photo ID. U.S. citizens must also bring their Social Security number. If you changed your name, bring the legal papers that show the change. The clerk checks each ID before issuing the license. A birth certificate may also help if the ID does not match your current legal name.