Avoid the 3-day wait requirement and save $32.50 on your marriage license in Bay 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 Bay County Courthouse will reduce 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.
Places to Get Married in Bay County:
1. Alys Beach
2. Beachcomber
3. Sharks Tooth Golf Club
4. En Soleil Resort
5. First Baptist Church
Please refer to http://www.baycoclerk.com/courts/marriage/marriage-faqs/ for additional information at the Bay County Clerk of Courts website regarding obtaining a marriage license in Bay County, FL.
It takes approximately 20 minutes to apply for a Marriage License.
Both parties must be 18 years of age or older. Both parties must have State or Government issued valid photo identification (Driver’s License, State issued ID card, Passport, or Military ID). Both parties must know their social security numbers (you do not need to bring the card with you). And if either party has been previously married you must know the FULL DATE of divorce, annulment, or death of previous spouse (you do not need to bring the divorce decree, annulment papers, or death certificate).
According to Florida Statute 741.01; every marriage license shall be issued by a County Judge or Clerk of the Circuit Court under his hand and seal.
The cost of the license is $93.50. We accept cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Checks are not accepted. Note: if you choose to use a credit or debit card you will be charged a convenience fee.
No, there are no refunds on a Marriage License.
Yes. Both parties must come in person to apply, no exceptions.
The Marriage License is valid for 60 days from the effective date (block 18a on the Marriage License). The license must be used on or before the expiration date (block 19 on the Marriage License). The person performing the ceremony must return the license to the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office for recording within 10 days after the marriage ceremony is performed.
If you are planning a wedding in Florida, you must apply for your marriage license in the state of Florida. You may apply in any county as long as the license is obtained in the state of Florida.
As listed in Florida Statute 471.0; all regularly ordained ministers of the gospel or elders in communion with some church, or other ordained clergy, and all judicial officers, clerks of the circuit court, and Florida Notary Publics may solemnize matrimony.
Yes, ceremonies may be performed by a Deputy Clerk in the Courthouse for a fee of $30.00. Please call to schedule an appointment at 850-747-5156.
Non-Florida Residents do not have a waiting period. Florida Residents have a 3-day waiting period.
Yes, if BOTH PARTIES are Florida Residents they may choose to take a pre-marital preparation course. If so, the 3-day waiting period will be waived and the license will be discounted to $61.00.
The pre-marital preparation course is not something you can do through the courthouse. You must take the counseling with a registered course provider. The course must be a minimum of 4 hours. You can contact our office to see if your minister or counselor is registered with our office at 850-747-5156.
If you are qualified and wish to be an official provider of the pre-marital preparation course, you must register with the Clerk of the Court’s Office. Your Registration Affidavit must be on file with the Clerk’s Office before we can accept any Certificates of Completion from couples counseled by you. The following is a list of qualifications for the pre-marital preparation course providers:
No, the course is not required. However, if you are Florida Residents and you choose not to take the pre-marital preparation course the 3-day waiting period will apply and the license will be $93.50.
No. For Non-Florida Residents the fee for the license is $93.50.
Blood tests are not required in the state of Florida.
No, Florida Statute 741.08 states that the party solemnizing the marriage shall require a properly issued marriage license before performing the ceremony.
No, it is the legal responsibility of the notary public or minister that performed the ceremony to return the license back to the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office where the license was obtained within 10 days after the ceremony.
Once the license is returned to our office, it will be recorded and mailed out to you the same day.
Yes, if the captain is a Florida Notary Public and the ship is in Florida waters (with 2 geographic miles of the coastline) at the time of the ceremony.
No. There is no citizenship requirement in the state of Florida. However, you must provide proper identification. (For proper identification, please see question)
No. Talk to your religious advisor or personal counselor.
No. Although the marriage application does not specifically ask about possible relationship of the parties, Florida law prohibits close blood relations from legally marrying. These include such relationships as parent-child, brother-sister, and uncle-niece. The nearest degree of relations who may legally marry in the state of Florida are first cousins.
No; Florida law specifies that one applicant must be male and the other female.
One certified copy is provided as part of the Marriage License fee. Additional certified copies may be obtained for the following fees:
Marriage Licenses issued during the years of 1913-1971; $4.00 each
Marriage Licenses issued during the years of 1972-Present; $3.00 each
If you are local, all you need to do is come to our office (in room 101 at the Bay County Courthouse). Make sure and know both parties names and the time of the marriage and the year of the marriage. You may pay by cash or a Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover credit or debit card. Note: if you choose to use a credit or debit card you will be charged a convenience fee.
If you are from out of town, you’ll need to send a letter requesting those copies. Be sure to include both names at the time of the marriage and the year of the marriage. Payment must be sent by money order (we do not accept checks) made payable to Bill Kinsaul, Clerk. The day we receive your request we will process it and send your certified copies back out to you. Send your request to the following address:
Bay County Clerk’s Office
ATTN: Marriage License Department
P.O. Box 2269
Panama City, FL 32402
Marriage Licenses issued during the years of 1913-1971; $4.00 each
Marriage Licenses issued during the years of 1972-Present; $3.00 each
Or you may contact the Office of Vital Statistics:
Department of Health
Office of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231
904-359-6900
If your marriage means a change in name and/or address, remember to make the following important notifications:
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