Hialeah City Florida marriage records are managed by the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court because Hialeah sits inside Miami-Dade County and does not run its own marriage license bureau. Every license, ceremony booking, and certified copy request from Hialeah residents flows through the county clerk’s Marriage License Bureau in downtown Miami.
The clerk also keeps the public search database that shows marriages filed since 1971.
Who Handles Marriage Records in Hialeah
Marriage records for Hialeah fall under Miami-Dade County jurisdiction, so the county clerk serves as the central record keeper for the entire region. Residents cannot file paperwork at a city hall or a Hialeah-specific office because the city government does not process marriage licenses.
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court operates the Marriage License Bureau and records every marriage that takes place inside the county, including Hialeah. The main office sits at Overtown Transit Village South, 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136, and the clerk’s office hours run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The phone line for the Marriage License Bureau is (786) 469-2400.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, which operates under the Florida Department of Health, holds statewide marriage data from June 6, 1927 forward. Hialeah residents who need records from 1927 to the present can order certified copies through the state office in Jacksonville. Marriages filed before that 1927 date exist only at the county level and must be requested from the Miami-Dade clerk.
Local Satellite Court Locations
Miami-Dade County runs six district court branches across the county, and Hialeah residents can apply at any branch. The smaller branches usually have shorter wait times than the main downtown office. Applicants who complete the online pre-application first can visit any branch and skip much of the counter paperwork.
How to Get a Marriage License in Hialeah
Getting a marriage license in Hialeah requires both applicants to appear in person at the Miami-Dade County Clerk’s office. The clerk does not issue licenses by phone, mail, or online. The full process takes one trip for out-of-state residents, or one trip plus a three-day wait for Florida residents who skip the premarital course.
Documents You Need to Bring
Both applicants must present a valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver license, passport, or state identification card. U.S. citizens also need to provide their Social Security number. Applicants who were previously married must bring the exact date the prior marriage ended through divorce, annulment, or death.
- Valid photo ID for each applicant
- Social Security number for U.S. citizens
- Date the last marriage ended, if applicable
- Payment for the license fee
- Premarital course certificate, if applicable
Pre-Application Form
The clerk offers a free pre-application form on the Miami-Dade clerk website that applicants can complete before their visit. The form captures basic details like full legal names, addresses, and Social Security numbers. Submitting the form in advance shortens the time spent at the counter, although applicants must still appear in person to verify identity and sign documents.
Fees and Accepted Payment
The standard marriage license fee in Miami-Dade County costs $86. Couples who complete a state-approved premarital course pay a reduced fee of $61. The clerk accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express, but does not accept personal checks for license fees.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard marriage license | $86 |
| License with premarital course | $61 |
| Clerk-performed ceremony | $30 |
| Duplicate license | $30 |
| Amendment with court order | $30 |
| Certified copy (first) | $9 |
| Each additional certified copy | $7 |
| Year-of-marriage search | $2 per year |
Waiting Period and License Validity
Florida residents must wait three days after the clerk issues the license before they can hold the ceremony. The wait is waived for couples who present a valid premarital course completion certificate. Out-of-state residents can use the license immediately after issuance. Every license stays valid for 60 days from the issue date, and couples must hold the ceremony within that window.
Premarital Course and Fee Reduction
Florida offers a financial incentive to encourage couples to take a premarital education course. Under Florida Statute 741.0305, couples who complete the course from a registered provider receive a reduced fee and skip the three-day waiting period.
Approved Course Providers
The Florida Department of Children and Families maintains a registry of approved premarital course providers across the state. Couples can search the registry online or call the clerk’s office for a current list. The course must be completed within one year of the marriage license application date.
What the Course Covers
Approved premarital courses in Florida include at least four hours of instruction covering communication skills, conflict management, financial responsibilities, and child-rearing basics. Couples receive a certificate of completion that they present to the clerk at the time of application.
Course Cost and Savings
Course fees vary by provider, with many faith-based organizations offering free classes and private providers charging up to $50. The savings from the reduced $61 license fee plus the waived waiting period often make the course worthwhile for couples with tight timelines.
Search Hialeah Marriage Records Online
The Miami-Dade County Clerk runs a free online search portal that lets the public look up marriage records filed in the county. Hialeah marriages that took place after 1971 appear in this database, and the search runs 24 hours a day without any fee.
Online Marriage License Bureau Portal
The Miami-Dade Online Marriage License Bureau search portal lives at the clerk’s website and accepts searches by name or license number. The results page shows the names of both parties, the marriage date, and the license number. Records from before 1971 do not appear in the online database and require a direct request to the clerk’s office.
Florida Department of Health Statewide Records
The Florida Department of Health maintains a statewide index of marriages from 1927 to the present. Hialeah residents can request a state-level search through the department’s Office of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. A state certified copy costs $5 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
VitalChek Online Ordering
VitalChek serves as the authorized online ordering platform for Florida vital records. The service charges $15 per record plus a $7 processing fee, plus the underlying state fee. Orders placed through VitalChek typically arrive within two to three weeks, while in-person or mail orders through the county clerk are often faster.
How to Order Certified Copies
Certified copies of Hialeah marriage certificates carry the clerk’s raised seal and serve as legal proof of marriage for name changes, Social Security updates, passport applications, and immigration filings. Three ordering methods are available, each with different processing speeds and fee structures.
Online Orders
The fastest path to a certified copy runs through the Miami-Dade clerk’s online portal. Applicants enter the marriage details, pay the fee by credit card, and receive the copy by mail. Standard processing takes five to seven business days, and rush options are available for an extra fee.
In-Person Requests
Walk-in customers can request certified copies at the Marriage License Bureau counter at 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136. Same-day service is often available for straightforward requests, and applicants can pay with cash or major credit card.
Mail-In Requests
Mail orders require a completed request form, a cashier’s check or money order payable to the Clerk of the Courts, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail orders take two to three weeks for delivery, and personal checks are not accepted as the mail order payment method.
Who Can Officiate a Marriage in Florida
Florida Statute 741.07 lists the officials authorized to perform a marriage ceremony in the state. Couples in Hialeah can select from several options based on their preference and budget.
Ordained Ministers and Religious Officiants
Any ordained minister, priest, rabbi, or other religious officiant can perform a Florida marriage. Ordination must be active, and the officiant must sign the marriage license after the ceremony and return it to the clerk’s office within 10 days.
Judges and Court Officials
Active and retired judges in Florida can officiate weddings, as can clerks of court and deputy clerks. Many Hialeah couples book a deputy clerk to perform a civil ceremony at the Marriage License Bureau for the $30 ceremony fee.
Florida Notary Publics
A Florida notary public can legally officiate a marriage ceremony. Many couples hire a notary mobile service for home weddings or small private ceremonies, and the fee is set by the notary rather than the state.
After the Ceremony
The officiant, not the couple, handles the post-ceremony paperwork. Florida law requires the officiant to return the signed license to the issuing clerk within 10 days of the ceremony.
Officiant Responsibilities
The officiant must complete the license with both parties’ full legal names, the date and location of the ceremony, and the officiant’s signature and title. The signed license goes back to the Miami-Dade clerk, who records it locally and forwards the data to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Recording Timeline
Once the clerk records the returned license, the state Bureau of Vital Statistics adds the marriage to the statewide index. This step takes about 60 days after the ceremony date, which is why newlyweds who need a certified copy quickly should order from the county clerk rather than the state office.
Marriage Records After Divorce
Marriage records remain on file with the clerk even after a divorce, and certified copies of the original marriage certificate are often required for divorce filings and name-change paperwork.
Access After Divorce
Both former spouses can request certified copies of the marriage certificate through the same county or state channels. The clerk does not require court approval for post-divorce certificate requests because marriage records are public under Florida Statute Chapter 119.
Confidential Filings
Certain personal details on a marriage record can be redacted through a Request for Confidentiality filed under Florida Statute 119.071. This option applies to specific cases involving protected persons and requires supporting documentation.
Apostille and Out-of-State Use
Hialeah residents who need to use a Florida marriage certificate in another country must obtain an apostille from the Florida Department of State. An apostille certifies the document for use in countries that participate in the Hague Convention.
Apostille Process
The Florida Department of State in Tallahassee handles apostille requests for Florida-issued vital records. Applicants submit the certified copy along with the apostille request form and fee. Standard processing takes about two weeks.
Countries That Require Apostilles
Countries outside the United States that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention require an apostilled marriage certificate for immigration, property, or family law matters. Couples should check the specific destination country’s requirements before requesting the apostille.
Common Issues and Corrections
Errors on a marriage certificate, like a misspelled name or wrong date, require a formal correction through the clerk’s office. The process involves a court order and a $30 amendment fee.
Name Spelling Errors
A misspelled name on a marriage certificate requires a corrected marriage license from the clerk. The applicant files a petition with the court, obtains a court order, and pays the $30 amendment fee. Processing typically takes four to six weeks.
Date or Location Errors
Wrong dates or ceremony locations follow the same court order process. The officiant may need to provide a sworn statement confirming the correct details before the court issues the order.
Other Miami-Dade County Cities
Every city inside Miami-Dade County, from Miami Beach to Homestead, uses the same clerk office for marriage records. Hialeah residents can apply at any of the six county branch locations, and the central Marriage License Bureau serves the entire county.
Office Location and Contact Details
The Marriage License Bureau sits in the Overtown Transit Village South building in downtown Miami, a short drive from Hialeah via I-95 or State Road 112. Free parking is not available at the building, but nearby public lots offer daily rates. The office accepts walk-in customers and scheduled appointments during regular business hours.
Official Website: https://www.miamidadeclerk.gov/clerk/marriage-licenses.page
Phone: (786) 469-2400
Address: 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hialeah residents often ask specific questions about how marriage records work in Miami-Dade County. The answers below cover the most common scenarios, including fees, timelines, and access rules. Each answer reflects current Florida law and Miami-Dade clerk procedures as of September 2026.
How long does it take to get a marriage certificate after the wedding in Hialeah?
The officiant must return the signed marriage license to the clerk within 10 days of the ceremony. The clerk then records it and sends the data to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. The statewide index update takes about 60 days after the ceremony date. For a certified copy, Hialeah residents should order from the Miami-Dade County Clerk rather than the state office because the county processes requests faster than the Jacksonville vital records office.
Can I search Hialeah marriage records for free?
Yes. The Miami-Dade Online Marriage License Bureau portal offers free name searches for marriages filed from 1971 to the present. The portal runs 24 hours a day and requires no account or fee. Records from before 1971 are not searchable online and require a direct request to the clerk, which carries a $2 per year search fee.
What if I do not know the exact year of the marriage?
The clerk charges $2 for each year searched when the applicant cannot provide an exact marriage date. Narrowing the search window with even a rough date range reduces the fee. FamilySearch and Ancestry also host Florida marriage indexes that can help pinpoint the year before paying the clerk search fee.
Do I need an appointment to apply for a marriage license?
Walk-in customers are welcome at the Marriage License Bureau and at all six Miami-Dade County branch locations. Appointments are available through the clerk’s website and can shorten the counter visit. Hialeah residents who complete the online pre-application in advance save the most time regardless of whether they walk in or schedule a slot.
Can a non-US citizen get a marriage license in Hialeah?
Yes. Florida does not require U.S. citizenship to obtain a marriage license. Non-citizens must present a valid passport or other government-issued photo ID. A Social Security number is not required for non-citizens, and the clerk does not ask about immigration status during the application process.
How do I replace a lost marriage certificate in Florida?
Lost marriage certificates can be replaced through the Miami-Dade County Clerk or the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. The standard fee is $9 for the first certified copy and $7 for each additional copy. Online, in-person, and mail ordering options are all available, with the county clerk offering the fastest turnaround for Hialeah residents.
Are Hialeah marriage records public?
Yes. Under Florida Statute Chapter 119, marriage records filed in Miami-Dade County are public documents. Anyone can search the online portal or request a certified copy. Certain personal details like Social Security numbers are redacted from online search results and from certified copies issued to non-eligible requesters.