Miramar City Florida marriage records are filed and held by the Broward County Clerk of Courts because Miramar sits inside Broward County. Couples who live in Miramar must apply for a marriage license at the clerk office in Fort Lauderdale, run their ceremony anywhere in Florida, and then have the signed license returned to the clerk for recording.
The same clerk office stores certified copies of Miramar marriages and runs a public search portal for old records dating back to 1915.
Where to Get Miramar Marriage Records
The city of Miramar does not run its own marriage license office. All marriage services for Miramar residents go through the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The clerk office serves every city in the county, from Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood to Pembroke Pines and Miramar.
Broward County Clerk of Courts Office Location
The main marriage license window sits on the first floor of the Broward County Central Courthouse complex. The exact address for walk-in marriage license services is 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Room 02460, Midrise Building, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The drive from central Miramar takes about 25 to 40 minutes based on traffic on I-595 or US-441.
Office Hours and Contact Details
The marriage license counter opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The office closes on weekends and on Broward County holidays. You can call the clerk at (954) 831-7283 to ask about documents, fees, or to confirm hours before you drive over. The clerk accepts walk-in customers only and does not schedule appointments for marriage licenses.
Marriage License Requirements for Miramar Couples
Florida law lists clear rules for who can marry and what both people must bring to the clerk window. The same rules apply across the state, and Miramar couples follow the same steps used in every Broward County city.
Documents Needed to Apply
Both applicants must show up at the clerk office together. Each person needs a valid photo ID, such as a driver license, passport, state identification card, or military ID. U.S. citizens must also give their Social Security number. The clerk will not issue a license without a Social Security number on file for each U.S. citizen.
Age and Prior Marriage Rules
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old to marry without parental consent. Applicants between 17 and 18 need a parent or guardian present with proper ID. If either person was married before, the clerk asks for the exact date the prior marriage ended, such as a divorce date, annulment date, or spouse death date. Supporting paperwork helps but is not always required at the time of application.
Marriage License Fees and Costs
The total cost to get married in Miramar depends on whether the couple completes a premarital course and whether they have a ceremony at the clerk office. The fees are set by Broward County and Florida state law and apply equally to every city in the county.
Standard License Fee
The base marriage license fee in Broward County is $86.00. The clerk accepts cash and most major credit cards. Personal checks are not accepted at the marriage license window.
Premarital Course Discount
Couples who finish a registered premarital preparation course within 12 months of the application pay only $61.00. That saves $25.00 off the base fee. The course must come from a provider registered with the clerk, and the completion certificate must be presented at the time of application. The same course also removes the three-day waiting period.
Ceremony and Certified Copy Fees
Couples who want a civil ceremony at the clerk office pay an extra $30.00. This covers the ceremony, the officiant, and the basic paperwork. A certified copy of a marriage record costs $3.00 per copy from the Broward County Clerk. Florida Department of Health charges $5.00 for a statewide search plus one certified copy and $4.00 for each additional copy.
Waiting Period and License Validity
Florida law sets both a waiting period and an expiration window for marriage licenses. Miramar couples follow the same rules as the rest of Broward County and the rest of the state.
Three-Day Waiting Rule
Florida residents who do not take a premarital course must wait three days between the date the license is issued and the date the ceremony takes place. The waiting period does not apply to non-Florida residents. A registered premarital course certificate removes the wait for any couple.
Sixty-Day Validity Window
A marriage license stays valid for 60 days from the date of issue. The ceremony must happen within that 60-day window anywhere in the state of Florida. If the 60 days pass without a ceremony, the couple must apply for a new license and pay the fee again.
How to Search Miramar Marriage Records
Anyone can search Miramar marriage records online through the Broward County Clerk portal or request statewide records through the Florida Department of Health. Older records and genealogy searches often need extra steps.
Broward County Online Records Portal
The Broward County Clerk records request portal holds marriage records filed in the county going back to 1915. Users type in a name and the system pulls matching records from the index. Basic searches are free. Certified copies cost $3.00 each.
Florida Statewide Marriage Index
The Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics keeps a statewide marriage index with records from June 1927 onward. Their search fee is $5.00, which covers the search and one certified copy if the record is found. Each extra certified copy costs $4.00. New marriages take about 60 days to show up in the state index because the county clerk must file the record first.
FamilySearch and Genealogy Sources
FamilySearch.org hosts free indexes and images of Florida marriage records for genealogy research. Broward County records on FamilySearch often link back to the county clerk or the state archive. Researchers can search by name, year, or county and save images to a free FamilySearch account.
Getting Certified Copies of Marriage Records
Certified copies of a Miramar marriage record have a raised seal or stamped seal and serve as legal proof of marriage. Banks, courts, Social Security, and passport offices all require certified copies rather than printouts or photocopies.
In-Person Requests at the Clerk Office
Walk in to the Broward County Clerk office at 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 and request a certified copy at the records counter. Bring a photo ID and as much detail as possible, including full names of both spouses and the marriage year. Each certified copy costs $3.00.
Mail-In Requests
Mail a written request to the Broward County Clerk of Courts, 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Include both full names, the date or year of marriage, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order for $3.00 per copy. Write the daytime phone number on the request in case the clerk needs to follow up.
Online Orders Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the official third-party processor used by the Florida Department of Health. Orders can be placed online 24 hours a day. VitalChek charges an extra service fee on top of the state fee. The total usually runs higher than going through the Broward County Clerk directly.
Miramar Marriage License Process Step by Step
The full process for Miramar couples includes three stages: before you apply, the day you apply at the clerk office, and what happens after the ceremony.
Before You Apply
Decide if you want to take a premarital course to save money and skip the three-day wait. Gather both photo IDs and Social Security numbers. Plan your transportation to Fort Lauderdale because there is no Miramar marriage license office.
At the Clerk Office
Both people show up at the marriage license window together during open hours. The clerk checks IDs, confirms Social Security numbers, asks about prior marriages, and takes payment. The clerk prints the license on the spot.
After the Ceremony
The officiant signs the license after the ceremony and sends it back to the Broward County Clerk within 10 days. The clerk records the document and forwards the data to the Florida Department of Health. Miramar couples can request certified copies once the clerk has recorded the license.
Who Can Perform Marriages in Florida
Florida law lists who has the legal power to officiate a wedding. The officiant must complete and sign the marriage license for the record to be valid. Miramar couples can pick from several categories of officiants.
- Judges and justices of the Florida Supreme Court
- Ordained ministers, rabbis, priests, and other clergy
- Clerks of court and their deputies
- Notaries public who are registered with the Florida Department of State
Florida Marriage Records Laws and Privacy
Florida marriage records fall under the state public records law, which means anyone can request them. The law also sets limits on what personal data gets shared with the public.
Public Access Under Florida Statutes
Florida Statutes Chapter 119 declares that marriage records are public records. Any person can request a copy without showing a relationship to the people named in the record. Chapter 741 covers marriage licenses, waiting periods, age rules, and other marriage-related rules.
Redacted Information on Public Copies
The clerk removes Social Security numbers, juvenile records, and certain other sensitive data before releasing copies to the public. The redacted certified copy is the standard version used by most requesters. Full records with all data are released only to the people named in the record or to court order.
Common Reasons People Request Miramar Marriage Records
Couples and family members request Miramar marriage records for many legal and personal reasons. The clerk does not ask why you want a copy, so any reason qualifies under the public records law.
- Changing a name on a Social Security card or driver license
- Adding a spouse to health insurance, retirement, or pension accounts
- Applying for immigration benefits or a spouse visa
- Proving common-law marriage status for legal or tax reasons
- Genealogy research and family history projects
- Estate and probate paperwork after a death
- Replacing a lost or damaged original certificate
Miramar Marriage Records Contact Details
Use the contact details below to reach the right office for Miramar marriage records. Phone calls and emails are usually answered within one business day. Walk-in customers should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing.
- Broward County Clerk of Courts: 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
- Phone: (954) 831-7283
- Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Records Portal: browardclerk.org
- Florida Department of Health: floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/marriage-certificates
- Statewide Index Phone: (904) 359-6900
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common issues Miramar residents face with marriage records. Each answer reflects current Florida law and Broward County clerk practices as of 2026. Call the clerk office at (954) 831-7283 for case-specific help.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Certified Copy of a Miramar Marriage Record?
Walk-in requests at the Broward County Clerk office are processed the same day. Most walk-in customers receive their certified copy within 15 to 30 minutes. Mail-in requests typically take 5 to 10 business days from the date the clerk receives the letter. Online orders through VitalChek usually ship within 5 to 7 business days after the order is processed. New Miramar marriages take about 2 to 4 weeks to appear in the Broward County index and up to 60 days to show up in the Florida statewide index.
Can Anyone Request a Copy of a Marriage Record in Miramar?
Yes. Florida Statutes Chapter 119 makes marriage records public. Any person can request a certified copy without proving a relationship to the people named in the record. The clerk removes Social Security numbers and certain sensitive data before releasing copies to the general public. Full records with all personal data are released only to the people named in the record, their legal representatives, or by court order.
What if I Do Not Know the Exact Date of the Marriage?
The clerk can search using a range of years, such as 2018 to 2020, if you do not know the exact marriage date. Provide the full legal names of both spouses at the time of marriage to narrow the search. Older records from before 1927 may not appear in the statewide index but can sometimes be found at the county level or through FamilySearch indexes. A small search fee may still apply even if no record is found.
Is a Miramar Marriage License Valid Outside Florida?
No. A Florida marriage license is valid only for ceremonies performed within the state of Florida. Couples who plan a destination wedding in another state must apply for a license in that state. Miramar couples who marry in Florida and later move out of state can use their Florida marriage record for legal proof of marriage anywhere in the U.S.
What Documents Are Needed to Get Married in Miramar if One Person Is Not a U.S. Citizen?
Non-citizens must show a valid passport or other government-issued photo ID. A Social Security number is required only if the person has one. Foreign-language documents must be translated into English by a certified translator. The clerk does not require proof of immigration status to issue a marriage license. The marriage record itself does not affect immigration status.
Can I Get a Marriage License by Mail in Florida?
No. Florida does not allow marriage licenses by mail. Both applicants must appear in person at the clerk office together. After the marriage, certified copies of the marriage record can be requested by mail. Online orders through VitalChek are the only way to skip the trip for the certified copy itself.
How Do I Replace a Lost Marriage Certificate in Miramar?
Order a certified copy from the Broward County Clerk or the Florida Department of Health. A certified copy carries the same legal weight as the original certificate. Request the copy in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek. The cost is $3.00 from the county or $5.00 plus extras from the state. Most people receive their replacement within one to two weeks.