Wakulla County marriage license records are public files that show who got married in this part of the Florida panhandle. The Clerk of the Circuit Court in Crawfordville creates these records, stores them, and lets people look them up.
Anyone can search for old records, get a copy, or apply for a new license at this single county office. The same office also handles name change paperwork, genealogy requests, and apostille orders tied to marriage certificates.
About Wakulla County Marriage License Records
Marriage records in Wakulla County include both marriage licenses and marriage certificates. These two terms mean different things, but people often mix them up. Each plays a role in the marriage process and each appears in public records under different names.
What These Records Include
A Wakulla County marriage license record holds the full legal names of both spouses, their ages at the time of application, their home addresses, and the date the license was issued. Once a ceremony takes place, the signed license becomes a marriage certificate. The certificate shows the date and place of the wedding, the name of the officiant who performed it, and the names of any witnesses who signed the document. Both records stay in the public index forever unless sealed by court order.
Agencies That Maintain the Records
Two main offices keep Wakulla County marriage records on file. The local office is the Wakulla County Clerk of the Circuit Court at 3056 Crawfordville Highway. This office handles new applications, keeps the original paper records, and shares copies with the public. The state office is the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Records in Jacksonville. This office stores records from June 6, 1927 forward and issues statewide certified copies for use outside the county.
Marriage License vs Marriage Certificate
A marriage license gives legal permission to wed. It is only valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. A marriage certificate proves that a wedding already happened. The signed license returned by the officiant turns into the certificate. Both items hold legal value at different stages of life. Insurance companies, Social Security, and passport agencies all ask for the certificate, not the license.
How to Apply for a Marriage License
Couples who want to marry in Wakulla County must apply at the Clerk’s office in person. Both people need to show up at the same time. The application itself takes about 20 to 30 minutes when all paperwork is ready. No appointment is needed for license applications.
Steps to Apply at the Wakulla Clerk
The first step is gathering valid photo IDs for both applicants. The second step is going to the Clerk’s office at 3056 Crawfordville Highway, Crawfordville, FL 32327. The third step is filling out the application form together with the clerk. The fourth step is paying the fee. The fifth step is taking the premarital course if you want to skip the 3-day wait and pay a lower fee. The final step is receiving the marriage license from the clerk.
- Bring valid photo ID for both applicants
- Visit the Clerk’s office during business hours
- Complete the application form together
- Pay the fee by cash, card, or money order
- Provide a Social Security number for each applicant
- Take the premarital course if you want to skip the wait
- Receive the marriage license from the clerk
Documents You Need to Bring
Both applicants must bring a valid photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver’s license, state-issued ID card, passport, or military ID. You also need a Social Security number for each person. The clerk asks for the number on the form but does not need to see the physical card. If either person was married before, you must give the date the marriage ended and where the divorce or annulment took place. A copy of the divorce decree or death certificate helps with the application.
- Driver’s license, state ID, or passport for each person
- Social Security numbers for both applicants
- Divorce decree or death certificate if previously married
- Court order for any legal name changes
- Premarital course certificate (if applicable)
Age and Eligibility Rules in Florida
Florida law requires both applicants to be at least 18 years old. A 17-year-old can apply with written permission from both parents or legal guardians. The other partner must be no more than two years older than the minor in that case. Both applicants must be mentally able to consent to the marriage. Same-sex couples have full marriage rights in Florida. First cousins cannot marry under Florida law. Either party must not be currently married to someone else at the time of application.
Fees, Discounts, and Accepted Payments
The standard marriage license fee in Wakulla County is $86. This fee matches what every other Florida county charges. Couples who complete a four-hour premarital course from a registered provider pay only $61. This saves $25 off the base fee. The clerk accepts cash, money orders, and most credit cards. Some card payments carry a small service fee of around $2.50. Checks are not always accepted for marriage license fees, so call ahead to confirm.
| License Type | Fee | Waiting Period | Valid For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard License | $86 | 3 days for FL residents | 60 days |
| Premarital Course License | $61 | No waiting period | 60 days |
| Out-of-State Resident License | $86 | No waiting period | 60 days |
After the Wedding Ceremony
The signed marriage license must return to the Wakulla County Clerk for recording. The officiant who performs the ceremony usually handles this paperwork. Couples should keep their own certified copy for personal records and future legal use.
How the Signed License Gets Recorded
The officiant signs the license along with the couple and two adult witnesses. The officiant then sends the signed license back to the Wakulla County Clerk by mail or in person. The clerk files the document in the official records system and assigns it a book and page number or a document number. This filing step creates the marriage certificate in the public record. The clerk’s office can issue certified copies from this point forward.
Filing With the State Bureau
The Wakulla Clerk sends a copy of each recorded marriage to the Florida Department of Health in Jacksonville. This state filing can take up to 60 days after the local filing. Until the state filing is complete, certified copies come only from the Wakulla County Clerk. Once the state has the record, copies are available from either office. The state office is the right choice when the wedding happened in Wakulla but the couple now lives in another Florida county or out of state.
When Records Become Public
Recorded marriage records in Wakulla County are public records under Florida law. Anyone can request a copy or search the index without giving a reason. The Clerk’s office keeps records from the county’s founding in 1843 onward. Records from before 1927 exist only at the county level. The state office keeps records from June 6, 1927 forward. Sealed records are the only exception to public access and require a court order to view.
How to Search Marriage Records
People search Wakulla County marriage records for many reasons. Some need certified copies for legal matters. Others trace family history. Some want to confirm a marriage before signing legal papers with a spouse. The search methods work for all these needs.
Searching Online Through the Official Portal
The MyFloridaCounty official records portal lets you search marriage records online. Go to myfloridacounty.com and select Official Records. Pick Wakulla County from the county dropdown menu. Search by last name, first name, date range, or document type. You can view a digital image of the recorded license after the search. Certified copies still need an in-person, mail, or phone request. The portal also works for death records, divorce records, and other recorded documents in Wakulla County.
Visiting the Wakulla County Clerk
Stop by the Clerk’s office at 3056 Crawfordville Highway, Crawfordville, FL 32327. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, closed on state holidays. Bring a photo ID and know the full names of both spouses plus the year of the marriage. Staff will search the index and pull the record for you. The basic search has no fee. You pay only when you need a certified copy printed.
Requesting Records by Mail or Phone
Mail requests work for certified copies. Send a written request with both full names, the year of marriage, your contact details, and a check or money order. The current copy fee is $3 per certified copy plus postage. Mail requests take 1 to 2 weeks after the office receives your letter. Phone requests are limited to basic record searches and general questions about the process. You can call (850) 926-0905 during business hours for help.
State-Level Record Searches
Records from June 6, 1927 forward are searchable through the Florida Department of Health. Order online through VitalChek or call the Jacksonville office directly. The state search fee is $5 for a one-year search window. Each additional year searched costs $4. Records from before 1927 only exist at the county level and cannot be ordered from the state. The state office also handles records from all 67 Florida counties.
Ordering Certified Copies
Certified copies of marriage records carry a raised seal or stamp from the issuing office. Banks, courts, and government agencies require certified copies for name changes, insurance updates, immigration cases, and Social Security matters. Regular photocopies have no legal value.
Fees for Certified Copies
The Wakulla County Clerk charges $3 for each certified copy of a marriage certificate. There is no extra fee for the search itself when the year is known. The state office charges $5 for a one-year search plus $4 for each additional year searched. Each certified copy from the state costs $10. Online orders through VitalChek add a $13 service fee per order on top of the state fees.
| Source | Search Fee | Certified Copy Fee | Extra Service Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wakulla County Clerk (In-Person) | Free | $3 each | None |
| Wakulla County Clerk (By Mail) | Free | $3 each | Postage |
| Florida Dept. of Health (Mail) | $5 per year | $10 each | None |
| VitalChek (Online) | $5 per year | $10 each | $13 per order |
Ordering From Florida Health Records
The Florida Department of Health Bureau of Records office in Jacksonville processes statewide requests. You can order by mail, online through VitalChek, or by phone. Mail orders need a signed application, a copy of your photo ID, and payment by check or money order. Online orders through VitalChek process faster but charge extra service fees. The state office is faster than the county office for certified copies needed in other Florida counties.
Apostille and Out-of-State Use
Couples who move abroad or need records for a foreign country may need an apostille. The Florida Secretary of State issues apostilles for Florida records. The Wakulla Clerk can certify the document first, then the Secretary of State adds the apostille seal. This proves the document is real for countries in the Hague Convention. The apostille process takes 2 to 4 weeks by mail. Walk-in service at the Tallahassee office takes about 30 minutes with same-day results.
Record Corrections and Updates
Errors on a marriage record can cause legal problems. A misspelled name or wrong date may block passport applications, Social Security updates, or immigration cases. Florida has a clear process for fixing mistakes on marriage records filed in Wakulla County.
Fixing Errors on a Marriage License
Small clerical errors get fixed through the Wakulla County Clerk. Bring your certified copy and proof of the correct information. The clerk files a correction affidavit and issues an updated certified copy. Major errors like wrong names or wrong dates need a court order. Contact the Clerk’s office to start the correction process and ask which form of proof is needed. Most corrections finish within 2 weeks of the request date.
Changing Your Name After Marriage
Florida does not require a name change after marriage. The marriage certificate supports a name change but does not force one. To change your name, take your certified marriage certificate to the Social Security Administration first. Then update your driver’s license at the Florida DHSMV office. Banks, employers, insurance companies, and other agencies come after those two steps. Each office asks for the certified copy and a photo ID.
Genealogy and Historical Lookups
Old marriage records help with family history research. Wakulla County records from 1843 to 1927 exist only at the county level. Records from 1927 forward also sit at the state office in Jacksonville. The Clerk’s office can search by name and year. Older records may need microfilm viewing at the courthouse. Some books have been digitized and posted on the MyFloridaCounty portal under the historical records section.
Wakulla County Clerk Contact Details
The Wakulla County Clerk of the Circuit Court handles all marriage license and certificate matters for the county. The office serves Crawfordville, Sopchoppy, St. Marks, Panacea, and all other Wakulla County communities. The clerk also serves as the county recorder for deeds, mortgages, and court records.
Office Address: 3056 Crawfordville Highway, Crawfordville, FL 32327
Phone Number: (850) 926-0905
Official Website: https://www.wakullaclerk.com/
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET (closed on Florida state holidays)
MyFloridaCounty Portal: https://www.myfloridacounty.com/official_records/
Florida Department of Health Records: https://www.floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/
VitalChek Online Ordering: https://www.vitalchek.com/
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover common situations people face with Wakulla County marriage license records. Each answer gives clear, current guidance based on Florida law and Wakulla County Clerk procedures as of August 2026. Call the clerk’s office for case-specific questions.
Can I search Wakulla marriage records for free?
Yes, basic record searches at the Wakulla County Clerk’s office are free. You can view the public index in person at no cost and look through bound record books from older years. Online searches through the MyFloridaCounty portal are also free for viewing recorded images after you create a free account. The fee starts when you need a certified copy printed for legal use. The state office charges a $5 search fee for records held only at the state level. Both offices accept phone calls for free general questions about how to request a copy.
How long does it take to get a certified copy by mail?
Mail requests to the Wakulla County Clerk take 1 to 2 weeks after the office receives your letter. State office mail requests take 2 to 4 weeks. Online orders through VitalChek process in 5 to 7 business days with faster shipping options available. Same-day pickup is only available for in-person requests at the Clerk’s office in Crawfordville during business hours. Rush processing is not offered by either office for marriage certificates, so plan ahead for immigration deadlines or travel dates.
What if my marriage license expired before the ceremony?
Florida marriage licenses expire 60 days after the date of issue. An expired license cannot be used for a legal wedding in any Florida county. You must apply for a new license and pay a new fee at the Wakulla County Clerk’s office. There is no grace period under Florida law. Couples should plan the wedding date carefully so it falls inside the 60-day window from the issue date. The 60-day countdown starts the day after the license is issued.
Do both people have to be Wakulla County residents?
No. Either applicant can live anywhere in the world. Florida does not have a residency rule for marriage licenses. Many couples travel to Florida to marry, especially from Georgia and Alabama. Out-of-state residents skip the 3-day waiting period entirely. The license is valid for use anywhere in Florida, not just Wakulla County. Couples can apply in Wakulla County and hold their ceremony in Miami, Orlando, or any other Florida city.
Can a notary public marry us in Wakulla County?
Yes. Florida law allows notaries public to perform marriage ceremonies anywhere in the state. The license lists the notary as the officiant. The notary must be a current Florida notary with an active commission and a valid bond on file. Online notarization is not allowed for the marriage ceremony itself. The notary must be physically present with the couple to perform the wedding. Many couples use a notary for small private ceremonies at home or in an office.
How do I order an apostille for my marriage certificate?
Start with the Wakulla County Clerk to get a current certified copy with a fresh seal. Send that copy to the Florida Secretary of State Division of Corporations in Tallahassee. The Secretary of State adds the apostille seal and returns the document. This process takes 2 to 4 weeks by mail. Walk-in service in Tallahassee takes about 30 minutes with same-day results. Apostilles are required for countries in the Hague Convention for legal use abroad. The fee is $10 per document plus mailing costs.
Are Wakulla County marriage records from the 1800s available?
Yes, but only at the Wakulla County Clerk’s office. The state office only keeps records from June 6, 1927 forward. Pre-1927 records sit in the county courthouse basement in bound volumes and on microfilm. Staff can pull these records for viewing during business hours. Some older books have been digitized and posted on the MyFloridaCounty portal under the historical records section. Older records often require a longer search window because surnames changed over time.