Palm Coast City Florida marriage records are public documents that show when two people were married in Flagler County. Palm Coast is the largest city in Flagler County, but the county seat is Bunnell, where the Flagler County Clerk of Court handles every marriage license, ceremony filing, and certified copy.
Anyone can search these records online, by mail, or in person at the courthouse. This page covers how to find a marriage record, get a certified copy, apply for a new license, and solve common problems with old or missing documents.
Where Palm Coast Marriage Records Are Stored
Marriage records for Palm Coast exist in two places. The county clerk keeps the original record. The state office keeps a backup. Knowing which office to contact saves time and money.
Flagler County Clerk of Court
The Flagler County Clerk of Court is the main office for all Palm Coast marriage records. The clerk issues licenses, performs civil ceremonies, and stores the official paperwork after the wedding. Records from June 6, 1927, to today sit in the clerk’s office. The clerk also runs an online search tool that lets you look up a marriage by name at no cost.
Walk-in customers can visit the clerk’s recording department on the first floor of the courthouse in Bunnell. The office takes requests for certified copies and helps people fill out license applications. Most visitors finish their trip in under one hour.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics sits inside the Florida Department of Health in Jacksonville. This state office holds a duplicate copy of every marriage record from June 6, 1927, onward. People order certified copies from this office when they need a copy sealed with the state seal. The state office charges $5 for one search and one certified copy, plus $4 for each extra copy on the same order.
Mail requests to the state office take four to six weeks to arrive. Online orders through VitalChek process faster but cost more because of the service fee.
How to Get a Marriage License in Palm Coast
Couples who want to marry in Palm Coast must get a license from the Flagler County Clerk before the wedding. The license is valid anywhere in Florida, not just Flagler County. Below are the rules, costs, and steps.
Who Can Apply
Both applicants must show up together at the clerk’s office in Bunnell. No one can apply by proxy. Both people must be at least 18 years old, or meet Florida’s special rules for minors with parental consent and a judge’s approval. Florida does not require either party to be a U.S. citizen or a Florida resident. Out-of-state couples can apply, and they skip the three-day waiting period that Florida residents must serve.
Documents You Must Bring
Bring valid photo ID for both people. The clerk accepts a driver license, passport, military ID, state ID card, alien registration card, or naturalization certificate. U.S. citizens must also share their Social Security number. If either party was married before, bring the exact date the last marriage ended, whether by divorce, annulment, or death.
No birth certificate is required, but bringing one can help if there is a question about a name change. All foreign documents need a sworn English translation.
License Fees in Palm Coast
The base fee for a marriage license in Flagler County is $86. Couples who complete a premarital preparation course from a registered Florida provider pay a reduced fee of $61. The course must be finished within one year of the application date. Proof of completion comes as a signed certificate from the course provider.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage license (standard) | $86 |
| Marriage license (with course) | $61 |
| Civil ceremony by clerk | $30 |
| Duplicate license | $30 |
| Amendment (court order required) | $30 + court cost |
| Certified copy (first) | $9 |
| Certified copy (each extra) | $7 |
| Search fee (no date known) | $2 per year searched |
The clerk accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. Personal checks are not accepted for marriage license payments.
Waiting Period and License Validity
A marriage license is good for 60 days from the date the clerk issues it. If the couple does not marry within that window, the license expires and the fee is not refunded. Florida residents must wait three full days after the license is issued before the ceremony can take place. The waiting period does not apply to out-of-state residents. Completing a registered premarital course removes the three-day wait for Florida residents, so couples who finish the course can marry the same day they get the license.
How to Search Palm Coast Marriage Records Online
The fastest way to check if a marriage record exists is the Flagler County Clerk online search. The tool is free to use and runs 24 hours a day.
Official Clerk Search Tool
The Flagler County Clerk website hosts an official records search that covers marriage licenses, deeds, court cases, and other public filings. To search marriages, pick the marriage index, type the last name of one party, and add the first name if known. Results show the names of both spouses, the license number, and the date the clerk recorded the document. Records appear in the system within a few weeks of the ceremony.
Search by Name Without a Date
People who do not know the exact marriage date can still search. The clerk’s office charges $2 for every year they have to scan by hand. Most genealogy requests fall into this group. Searches by name only work for marriages filed in Flagler County. Marriages that took place in another Florida county must be searched through that county’s clerk or the state Bureau of Vital Statistics.
In-Person and Mail Search Requests
If the online tool does not show the record, call the clerk’s recording department at (386) 313-4400. The clerk’s staff can run a manual search using partial names, date ranges, or other details. Mail requests for searches need a written request, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment by cashier’s check or money order payable to the Clerk of Court.
How to Get a Certified Marriage Certificate in Palm Coast
A certified marriage certificate is a paper copy of the marriage record with a raised or stamped seal from the clerk. Banks, insurance companies, immigration offices, and government agencies ask for certified copies, not regular photocopies. Palm Coast residents can order these copies three ways.
Order Online Through the Clerk
The fastest path is the Flagler County Clerk online ordering system. Customers fill out the form, pay by credit card, and have the certified copy mailed to their home. Standard shipping arrives within five business days. Rush shipping is not available directly from the clerk, but customers can pay extra for faster mail at checkout.
Order in Person at the Courthouse
Walk into the Flagler County Courthouse in Bunnell and head to the recording department on the first floor. Bring a photo ID and the name and date of the marriage. Pay the $9 fee for the first copy and $7 for each extra copy on the same record. Most in-person orders are ready the same day.
Order by Mail
Send a written request to the Flagler County Clerk of Court with the full names of both spouses, the date or year of the marriage, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a cashier’s check or money order. The clerk mails certified copies within one to two weeks after the request arrives.
Who Can Request a Certified Copy
Marriage records in Florida are public under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Anyone can order a copy. The clerk redacts Social Security numbers and other sensitive data before releasing the record. Confidential records under Section 119.071 require a special form and proof of eligibility.
Apostille and Out-of-State Use
Couples who married in Palm Coast and now live abroad, or who need their Florida marriage recognized in another country, must add an apostille. The Florida Department of State issues apostilles in Tallahassee. A certified copy of the marriage certificate is required first. The apostille confirms that the clerk’s signature and seal are real, which foreign governments use to accept the document.
Processing times for apostilles run about five business days by mail, or same-day service in Tallahassee with an extra fee. VitalChek also handles apostille orders for a higher fee.
Genealogy and Historical Marriage Records
Family historians and people tracing their family tree often need older Palm Coast marriage records. Palm Coast grew quickly after the 1970s, but the Flagler County area has older records from its time as a rural coastal region.
Pre-1927 Marriage Records
Florida did not start keeping state marriage records until June 6, 1927. Marriages before that date exist only at the county level. Some Flagler County records from before 1927 may sit in local churches, historical societies, or private collections, because the area was still part of Volusia County in many of those years. Flagler County split from Volusia County in 1917, so very early Flagler marriages could also show up in Volusia County records.
FamilySearch and Free Archives
FamilySearch, run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, hosts a free Florida marriage index with millions of entries. The index covers many Florida counties but is not complete. Users can search by name, then visit a FamilySearch center to view scanned microfilm copies of the original record. Other free archives include Find A Grave, Ancestry Library Edition (free at many libraries), and the Florida State Archives in Tallahassee.
Researchers who hit a dead end with the online index should contact the Flagler County Clerk directly. Older records not indexed online may still be on file but require a manual search.
Common Issues With Palm Coast Marriage Records
Couples and researchers run into a few common problems with marriage records. Knowing what to expect helps avoid delays.
Missing Records
A marriage record can be missing from the online search if the ceremony happened within the last few weeks. The clerk records licenses within 10 days of the ceremony, but data entry into the online system can take a few more weeks. Older records from the 1950s and 1960s sometimes have gaps in the index because of paper records that were never digitized. A manual search at the clerk’s office solves most missing record problems.
Name or Date Errors
Spelling errors or wrong dates on a marriage certificate are common. The clerk can fix minor errors with an amendment that costs $30 plus any court cost. Major changes, such as adding a missing spouse or correcting a wrong year, require a court order from a Flagler County judge. The court order, plus the $30 amendment fee, is filed with the clerk to update the record.
Lost or Destroyed Certificates
If the original certificate is lost, the clerk can issue certified copies from the official record on file. There is no time limit on this. People who lose every copy can order new certified copies anytime. If the clerk’s original record was destroyed in a fire or flood, the state Bureau of Vital Statistics may hold the only surviving copy, but state records only go back to 1927.
Same-Sex Marriage Records in Palm Coast
Florida legalized same-sex marriage in January 2015 after a federal court ruling. Flagler County clerks began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on January 6, 2015. All marriages performed from that date forward carry the same legal weight as any other marriage in Florida. Earlier records do not exist because the law did not allow same-sex marriage before that ruling.
Flagler County Clerk of Court Contact Details
The Flagler County Clerk of Court is the office that handles all marriage records for Palm Coast. Couples apply for licenses, request certified copies, and file records here.
- Office: Flagler County Clerk of Court, Recording Department
- Address: 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell, FL 32110
- Phone: (386) 313-4400
- Website: www.flaglerclerk.com
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics: www.floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/marriage-certificates
- VitalChek (online orders): www.vitalchek.com
Frequently Asked Questions
This section covers the most common questions about Palm Coast marriage records, from basic searches to complex legal questions. Each answer gives clear steps based on current Florida law and Flagler County rules. Read through these answers before contacting the clerk to save time on your search or request.
How long does it take to get a certified copy of a Palm Coast marriage certificate?
Online orders through the Flagler County Clerk take about five business days to arrive by mail. In-person orders are ready the same day, often within 30 minutes. Mail requests take one to two weeks after the clerk’s office receives the letter. Orders through VitalChek or the state Bureau of Vital Statistics take longer, often two to four weeks, because the request has to travel through more offices before a certified copy is printed and mailed.
Can I get a marriage license in Palm Coast if I am not a Florida resident?
Yes. Florida does not require either applicant to live in the state. Couples from any U.S. state or foreign country can apply at the Flagler County Clerk office. Out-of-state couples skip the three-day waiting period that applies to Florida residents, so they can marry the same day the license is issued, as long as the license is used within 60 days.
What if I do not know the exact date of the marriage?
You can still search for the record. The Flagler County Clerk charges $2 for each year searched when the exact date is not known. A staff member will scan old indexes by hand. Online search tools also let you search by name and a wide year range. For very old records, family history sites like FamilySearch can help narrow down the year before paying the clerk’s search fee.
Are Palm Coast marriage records public?
Yes. Florida law under Chapter 119 makes marriage records public. Anyone can order a certified copy or view the index online. The clerk redacts Social Security numbers and other sensitive details before releasing records. Confidential filings under Section 119.071 require proof of eligibility and a special request form.
Can I get married at the Flagler County courthouse in Bunnell?
Yes. The Flagler County Clerk performs civil ceremonies at the courthouse for a $30 fee. The ceremony is short, takes about 10 minutes, and is open to family and friends. Couples must have a valid Florida marriage license before the ceremony. Witnesses are not required by law, but the clerk can provide one if needed.
What if my marriage certificate has the wrong name?
Minor spelling errors can be fixed with an amendment. Bring proof of the correct name, such as a birth certificate or Social Security card, and pay the $30 amendment fee. Major errors, such as a missing spouse or wrong year, need a court order from a Flagler County judge first. After the court order, file it with the clerk along with the $30 amendment fee to update the record.
Do I need an apostille to use my Florida marriage certificate in another country?
Many foreign governments require an apostille before accepting a U.S. marriage certificate. The Florida Department of State in Tallahassee issues apostilles. Order a certified copy from the Flagler County Clerk first, then send the certified copy to Tallahassee with the apostille application and fee. Processing takes about five business days by mail, or same-day service in person at the state office.