Sarasota County Online Premarital Preparation Course
Sarasota County Online Premarital Preparation Course, Wedding Venue and Marriage License Information
Welcome to the Sarasota County Online Premarital Preparation Course.
Avoid the 3-day wait requirement and save $32.50 on your marriage license in Sarasota County. We do provide the approved premarital course in an online format so you can save money on your marriage license and avoid waiting three days to have your marriage license issued to you.
Here’s how it works:
The Sarasota County Courthouse will discount your marriage license application fee $32.50 upon completing our online premarital preparation course.
The cost of our the course is $19.99, so you will actually SAVE $12.51 on your marriage license and there will be no out of pocket cost.
Applicants must apply in person and bring a driver license, passport, or Florida Identification Card. If either applicant was previously married, the date the prior marriage ended by divorce, annulment, or death is required. In accordance with Florida Statute 741, the term “marriage” means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife.
e-Marriage Self-Service Kiosks
Self-service kiosks, located in the Customer Service area at the Clerk’s business offices (Historic Courthouse, 2000 Main Street, Sarasota, FL, and the Robert L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL), provide a quick and efficient e-marriage license application option. E-Marriage kiosks are designed to improve the process by eliminating the need to stand in line at the courthouse. The self-service e-marriage license application process is not available through this website, as applicants are required to appear in person. Forms are not available for printing from this website, as the entire application process is electronic and available onsite at the Clerk’s offices. For more information about eMarriage in English, click here For more information about eMarriage en Espanol, haga clic aqui para Espanol
Marriage License Information
If the pre-marital course is not attended by both applicants, the license will not be valid until three days after issuance. Exceptions to the waiting period are non-Florida residents applying for a license, and persons asserting hardships which are determined by the County Court Judge. For state residents, a County Court Judge may waive the delayed effective date for good cause. Further, a license cannot be issued unless the parties file a statement with the Clerk of the Circuit Court that they have read the handbook and filed an affidavit as to the parties’ social security numbers. Requirements:
Both applicants must be at least 18 years of age to apply without parental consent
If either applicant is under the age of 18 years but at least 16 years of age, a birth certificate and proof of identification is required, along with notarized written consent of the parents or guardian. Consent forms are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller’s office
Applicants under 16 years of age must obtain a determination from a County Court Judge
A blood test is not required
A $93.50 fee is required payable by cash, credit card, check, or money order payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. As of June 2010, all credit card transactions are subject to a 3.5% non-refundable fee, assessed by a third-party payment processor (MyFloridaCounty.com)
A printed copy of the premarital course completion certificate must be presented to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for filing to receive the application fee reduction.
Clerk of the Circuit Court Locations
Sarasota Main Office Customer Service Dept. 2000 Main Street Sarasota FL 34237
Venice Branch Office R.L. Anderson Administration Center 4000 South Tamiami Trail Venice FL 34293
Marriage License
The license must be used within sixty days of issuance.
The license may be used in any county in the State of Florida.
The executed license must be returned within 10 days to the county in which is was issued.
Marriage Ceremony
Should a man and a woman choose to be married by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, an additional $30.00 fee is required. Ceremonies are performed by a Deputy Clerk, and weather permitting, ceremonies may be performed outside. Alternate locations include the Marriage Parlor or historic Courtroom of the 1920’s Historic Courthouse in downtown Sarasota FL, or by the fountain at the R. L. Anderson Administration Center in Venice, FL. Please select Office Hours and Locations for current hours of operation and availability to perform marriage ceremonies.
Registered Premarital Course Providers
When applying for a marriage license, the application fee shall be reduced by $32.50 upon the applicant furnishing a valid certificate of completion from a premarital course provider, registered with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Sarasota County, FL. Click HERE for a current list of Premarital Course Providers If the premarital course is not attended by both applicants, the marriage license will not be valid until three days after issuance. (Note: Exceptions to the waiting period are non-Florida residents applying for a license, and persons asserting hardships which are determined by the County Judge.)
