How to Find Florida Marriage Records

How To Find U.S. Marriage Records Florida Florida Marriage Records

Finding Florida Marriage Records

• Colonial marriages were recorded by the Catholic Church
• Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and usually begin at the creation of the county
• 1927 - duplicate copies of the marriages were required to be sent to the state

Next Step: When did the marriage occur?		Marriage Records Choose a time period: Before 1927 1927 to Present Marriage year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1927

• Colonial marriages were recorded by the Catholic Church
• Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and usually begin at the creation of the county
  

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in other records.

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index

Marriage Indexes and Digital Images
Database Name - Index and Image	Link or links to access database		# of records
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1830-1993	On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years		571,766

If you do not locate the marriage in the above, try:
Database Name-Index Only	Link or links to access database		# of records
Ancestry, Marriages, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001	Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers	$, Use your own Ancestry subscription	11,734,901
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001	On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years		11,718,373
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1837-1974	On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years		859,969
Ancestry, Marriages, 1822-1850	Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers	$, Use your own Ancestry subscription	5,659

Can't access Ancestry?	Visit your local Family History Center or your local public library.
No marriage record for your ancestor?	Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Search other records with marriage information.

Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?		Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record

If you did not find your ancestor in the databases above, follow the instructions below:

PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage

• If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the county clerk.
• If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.

PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records

• Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the county clerk.

OR

• View a copy of a marriage record on microfilm at a Family Search Center:

Some images of county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the Family History Library Catalog to see what is available.

• Search the FamilySearch Catalog by county.
• Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
• For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local FamilySearch Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1927 to Present

• 1927 - duplicate copies of the marriages were required to be sent to the state

Marriage Indexes and Digital Images
Database Name - Index and Image	Link or links to access database		# of records
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1830-1993	On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years		571,766

If you do not locate the marriage in the above, try:
Database Name-Index Only	Link or links to access database		# of records
Ancestry, Marriages, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001	Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers	$, Use your own Ancestry subscription	11,734,901
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001	On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years		11,718,373
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1837-1974	On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years		859,969

Obtain the Certificate

PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage

• If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the county clerk or the Florida Department of Health.
• If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.

PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records

• Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the county clerk.

OR

• Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the Florida Department of Health.

To Order Marriage Certificates
From County of Marriage		From FL Dept. of Health
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

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