St Johns County marriage license records are official documents held by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in St. Augustine, Florida.
These records include applications, issued licenses, signed certificates, and copies of all ceremonies performed within the county. Anyone can request these records for legal proof, family research, or personal files. The Clerk’s office keeps records for all cities inside the county, including St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Augustine Beach, and Hastings. This page covers how the records work, who can get them, what they cost, and how the system fits with state-level Florida marriage records.
What Are St Johns County Marriage License Records
St Johns County marriage license records are paper and digital files that show proof a couple applied for, received, and used a marriage license. These files exist at two levels. Local files stay at the county clerk’s office. State files go to the Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics. Each level serves a different purpose. The local clerk handles new licenses and local searches. The state office keeps a long-term index dating back to 1927.
Types of Records Available
Three main types of records exist for couples in St Johns County. The first type is the marriage license application. This shows personal details like full names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers. The second type is the issued license. This proves the couple paid the fee and met all legal rules. The third type is the recorded marriage certificate. This appears after the ceremony when the officiant returns the signed document to the clerk.
- Marriage license applications with personal data
- Issued licenses showing legal approval
- Signed marriage certificates returned after the ceremony
- Certified copies for legal or personal use
- Indexes searchable by name and date
Who Maintains These Records
The St Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court runs the Recording Division. This office handles all marriage license records inside county lines. The clerk works under Florida Statute 741.01, which gives the office sole power to issue licenses. The Florida Department of Health keeps a second set through the Office of Vital Statistics. That state office stores copies from 1927 to the present day. Together, these two offices hold the full set of marriage records in Florida.
Public Access Rights
Florida law makes most marriage records open to the public. Anyone can search the official records index, view basic facts, and request copies. Sensitive data like Social Security numbers stays protected. Certified copies cost a small fee. Non-certified copies often cost less. Genealogists, lawyers, and family members all have the right to access these files under Florida public records law.
How to Get St Johns County Marriage License Records
Four main methods exist for getting marriage license records in St Johns County. You can visit the clerk’s office in person, search online through the county portal, send a mail request, or order through the state vital records office. Each method works for different needs. Local copies arrive faster. State copies cover older records and include statewide data.
In-Person Requests at the Clerk’s Office
Walk-in requests happen at the St Johns County Clerk’s Recording Division on Lewis Speedway. The office opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Bring a valid photo ID and know the names of both spouses and the year of the marriage. Staff will search the index and provide copies. Most in-person requests finish in under thirty minutes when records exist on file.
- Bring a valid government photo ID
- Know both full legal names
- Have the year of marriage ready
- Pay the copy fee at the counter
- Request certified copies for legal use
Online Search Through Official Portals
The MyFloridaCounty official records portal lets users search St Johns County records online. The Florida Department of Health also runs a statewide vital records search through approved vendors. VitalChek serves as the state’s only approved online vendor for certified copies. Online searches show basic facts like names, dates, and license numbers. Certified copies need an extra fee and ID check.
Mail-In Requests for Certified Copies
Mail requests work for certified copies of marriage records. Send a written request to the St Johns County Clerk’s office. Include both full names, the year of marriage, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for the fee. The clerk mails back certified copies. Mail requests take longer than in-person visits but work well for people who live far from St Augustine.
Fees and Processing Times
Standard fees for marriage record copies stay low across Florida. The table below shows the most common fees and timelines for St Johns County and state-level requests.
| Request Type | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Local non-certified copy | $1.00 per page | Same day |
| Local certified copy | $3.00 each | Same day |
| State search (1 year, 1 copy) | $5.00 | 3 to 5 business days |
| State additional copy | $4.00 each | Added to same request |
| State rush fee (pre-1970) | $10.00 extra | 1 to 2 business days |
Eligibility and Requirements to Apply
Couples who want a new marriage license in St Johns County must meet Florida legal rules. Both people show up in person. Both must bring ID. Both must share personal details. Florida law sets age limits, ID rules, and prior marriage rules. The clerk checks every detail before issuing the license.
Age and ID Requirements
Florida law requires both applicants to be at least 18 years old. A 17-year-old can apply only with parental consent and when the other person is no more than two years older. Both people must bring a valid photo ID. A driver’s license, passport, or state ID card all work. Each person must share a Social Security number. The actual card is not required, but the number must be correct.
- Both applicants must be 18 or older
- A 17-year-old needs parental consent and age match
- Photo ID is required for both people
- Social Security numbers must be provided
- Both people must appear at the same time
Prior Marriage Disclosure Rules
Applicants must share the full history of every prior marriage. The clerk needs the date each prior marriage ended. The reason for ending matters too. Divorce, death, and annulment all count as valid reasons. The state and county where the prior marriage ended must also be on the form. This data helps the clerk confirm no legal blocks exist for a new marriage.
Waiting Period and Exceptions
Florida residents face a three-day wait after the clerk issues a marriage license. The wait does not apply to out-of-state couples. The wait also ends when a couple completes a four-hour premarital preparation course from a registered provider. Same-sex couples follow the same rules as opposite-sex couples. All rules apply equally under Florida marriage law.
Marriage License Fees in St Johns County
Marriage license fees in St Johns County match the state standard. The base fee stays the same across all Florida counties. Discounts apply for couples who finish a premarital course. The clerk accepts several payment methods. No county in Florida charges more than the state-set rate.
Standard License Cost
The standard marriage license fee in St Johns County is $86.00. This fee covers the license itself and the recording after the ceremony. Part of the fee goes to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Another part supports the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund. These amounts are fixed by the Florida legislature and cannot change at the county level.
Discounted Fee With Premarital Course
Couples who complete a four-hour premarital preparation course pay a lower fee. The reduced cost is $61.00. The course must come from a registered provider and cover communication, conflict resolution, finances, and parenting. Couples must bring the original course certificate to the clerk’s office to receive the $25.00 discount.
Payment Methods Accepted
The St Johns County Clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and major credit cards. A small surcharge may apply for card payments. The clerk’s office posts current fees and payment rules on the official website. Couples should call ahead to confirm payment rules before their visit.
Rules for Using Your St Johns County License
A St Johns County marriage license comes with rules about timing, officiants, and location. Couples must follow these rules for the marriage to be legal. The rules exist in Florida Statute 741. Couples who break the rules may need to apply again and pay a new fee.
Validity Period and Expiration
A St Johns County marriage license stays valid for 60 days from the date the clerk issues it. If the couple does not marry within those 60 days, the license expires. Expired licenses cannot be used for a ceremony. Couples with expired licenses must apply again and pay a new fee. Florida Statute 741.041 sets this 60-day rule for every county in the state.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
Florida law lists the people who can perform a marriage ceremony. Ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders can officiate. Judicial officers, clerks of the circuit court, and notaries public can also perform the ceremony. All officiants must sign the marriage license after the ceremony and return it to the issuing clerk’s office.
- Ordained ministers of any religion
- Judicial officers including judges
- Clerks of the circuit court
- Notaries public in Florida
- Other persons approved under Florida law
Where the Ceremony Can Take Place
Couples can hold the ceremony anywhere in the state of Florida. The license does not force the couple to marry in St Johns County. Many couples apply in one county and marry in another. The officiant must return the signed license to the county that issued it, not the county where the ceremony took place.
Statewide Florida Marriage Records Resources
Statewide resources help when local records are missing or old. The Florida Department of Health runs the state’s main vital records office. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics holds older files. Other county clerks keep local records across all 67 Florida counties. These resources work together to provide full coverage.
Florida Department of Health Office
The Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics holds marriage records from 1927 to the present. The office accepts mail and online requests. VitalChek serves as the only approved online vendor for certified copies. The state office charges a $5.00 search fee for one year and one certified copy. Additional copies cost $4.00 each.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics works under the Florida Department of Health. The bureau handles statewide birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Marriage records from June 1927 forward are available through this office. Earlier records exist only at the local county level. The bureau follows strict rules on who can request certified copies.
Other Florida County Clerk Offices
Florida has 67 county clerks, each holding local marriage records. Large counties like Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Hillsborough, Orange, Pinellas, Lee, and Duval all run their own clerk offices. Couples can apply at any Florida county clerk. Each license works for a ceremony anywhere in the state. Records stay with the issuing county.
Genealogy Research Using Marriage Records
Marriage records are a top tool for family history research. St Johns County records help trace family lines in northeast Florida. State records cover the rest of Florida. Old records often show parents’ names, birthplaces, and ages. Researchers use these facts to build family trees and confirm connections between generations.
Historical Records Before 1927
Marriage records from before 1927 stay only at the local county clerk’s office. The Florida Department of Health did not begin statewide marriage record keeping until June 1927. Researchers looking for older records must contact the specific county where the marriage took place. St Johns County keeps these older files in paper books inside the Recording Division.
Online Genealogy Databases
Several online databases help researchers search Florida marriage records. FamilySearch, Ancestry, and MyHeritage all hold indexed Florida records. These platforms partner with the Florida State Archives and county clerks to provide searchable data. Free indexes cover many older records. Full record access often needs a paid subscription.
St Johns County Clerk Office Contact Details
The St Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court serves all residents who need marriage license records. The Recording Division handles applications, license issuance, and copy requests. The office sits on Lewis Speedway in St Augustine, close to major roads. Call ahead during busy hours to confirm wait times. The full contact list appears below.
Address: 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084. Phone: (904) 819-3600. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Website: stjohnsclerk.com. The office closes on weekends and all official Florida state holidays. Plan your visit early in the day to avoid the longest wait times. The clerk’s office accepts walk-ins for record requests and license applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common concerns about St Johns County marriage license records. Each answer gives clear, current details based on Florida law and clerk office rules. The answers focus on real situations people face when applying for, searching, or copying these records. Couples, researchers, and legal users all benefit from these facts.
How Long Does St Johns County Keep Marriage Records?
St Johns County keeps all marriage records permanently in the Recording Division. Paper files from the earliest years still exist in the clerk’s office. The Florida Department of Health keeps a second copy from 1927 forward. No records are ever destroyed under current law. Older files from the 1800s and early 1900s are kept in bound books inside the clerk’s archive room. Researchers can request these files in person during office hours.
Can I Get a Marriage License Without Both People Present?
No. Florida law requires both people to appear at the clerk’s office at the same time. The clerk checks both IDs, collects the fee, and confirms the details with each person. A power of attorney does not work for a marriage license application. Online or remote applications do not exist under Florida law. Both applicants must show up in person to receive the license.
What Documents Do I Need to Get a Certified Copy?
You need a valid photo ID to get a certified copy of a St Johns County marriage record. A driver’s license, passport, or state ID card all work. You must know the full names of both spouses and the year of the marriage. You also need to pay the certified copy fee. The clerk will search the index and provide the copy the same day for in-person requests.
Are Florida Marriage Records Public to Anyone?
Yes. Florida marriage records are public records under state law. Anyone can search the index, view basic facts, and request copies. Sensitive data like Social Security numbers stays sealed. Certified copies include a raised seal and clerk signature. Genealogists, lawyers, family members, and the general public all have the right to access these records through the proper channels.
Can I Use My St Johns License in Another Florida County?
Yes. A marriage license issued in any Florida county works for a ceremony anywhere in the state. The license does not lock you into the county that issued it. Many couples apply in one county and marry in another. The officiant must return the signed license to the county that issued it, not the county where the ceremony takes place.
What Happens If My License Expires Before the Ceremony?
An expired marriage license cannot be used for a ceremony. The couple must apply for a new license and pay a new fee. Florida law sets a 60-day window from the issue date. No grace period exists past those 60 days. Couples who expect a delay should plan the application date close to the ceremony date to avoid expiration.
Where Can I Find Old St Johns County Marriage Records?
Old St Johns County marriage records from before 1927 stay only at the local clerk’s office. The Florida Department of Health does not hold these older files. Researchers must contact the St Johns County Clerk Recording Division in person or by mail. The clerk’s archive room holds bound books that cover the earliest years of the county’s marriage history.