St Petersburg City Florida marriage records are official files held by the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. These records include marriage licenses, certificates, and indexes dating back to the 1800s.
Residents, researchers, and legal professionals can request certified copies, search public indexes, or order documents online. This page covers every official method to search, request, and verify marriage records for anyone who was married in St Petersburg or Pinellas County.
Pinellas County Clerk Marriage Records Office
The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court is the main custodian of St Petersburg marriage records. All marriage licenses for couples living in St Petersburg are issued and filed at the Clerk’s main office in Clearwater. The same office holds certified copies of marriage certificates and runs the public online search tool.
Clerk Office Location and Contact
The Clerk’s office sits in the Pinellas County Courthouse at 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Recording Department phone number is (727) 464-3341. St Petersburg residents must travel about 22 miles north to reach this office.
Jurisdiction Over St Petersburg Records
St Petersburg sits within Pinellas County boundaries. The Clerk of Court in Clearwater handles marriage records for every city in the county. This includes St Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Pinellas Park, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor, and Safety Harbor. All license applications, ceremonies, and certified copy requests go through the same office.
How to Apply for a Marriage License in St Petersburg
Couples who plan to marry in St Petersburg must apply for a license at the Pinellas County Clerk’s office. Both people must appear in person together. Walk-in service is available, though couples can fill out a pre-application online before visiting to save time at the counter.
Documents Required for the Application
Both parties must present a valid photo ID accepted by Florida law. Accepted documents include a driver license from any U.S. state, a U.S. passport, a military identification card, a state-issued identification card, an alien registration card, or a naturalization certificate. U.S. citizens must provide their Social Security number. If either person was previously married, they must share the exact date the prior marriage ended and the manner of ending (divorce, death, or annulment).
Marriage License Fees and Accepted Payments
The standard license fee in Pinellas County is $86. Couples who complete a state-approved premarital preparation course within one year of the application pay a reduced fee of $61. The Clerk accepts cash, credit cards, and debit cards. Personal checks are not accepted for marriage services. A small credit card convenience fee applies to card payments.
| Service | Fee | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage License (standard) | $86 | Both parties must appear together |
| Marriage License (with course) | $61 | Course completion certificate required |
| Civil Ceremony by Clerk | $30 | Performed at the Clearwater office |
| Certified Copy (first) | $9 | Same-day at counter or by mail |
| Certified Copy (each extra) | $7 | Ordered together |
| Search Fee (unknown year) | $2 per year | When exact year is not provided |
Waiting Period and License Validity
Florida law requires a three-day waiting period for residents who have not completed a premarital course. The waiting period does not apply to non-residents. A valid premarital course certificate waives the waiting period for both residents and non-residents. Once issued, the license stays valid for 60 days anywhere in the State of Florida. Couples must hold the ceremony within those 60 days or apply for a new license.
Searching St Petersburg Marriage Records Online
The Pinellas County Clerk website offers a free online search tool for marriage records filed in the county. Users can search by name to view marriage dates and party names. The search is free to run, but certified copies come with a fee. For older records and statewide coverage, the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics maintains a separate index.
Pinellas County Clerk Online Search Tool
The Pinellas County Clerk records search portal allows users to enter a last name and first name to locate marriage filings. Results display both parties, the marriage date, and the official record number. Users can view a digital image of the marriage certificate for free. To order a certified copy from the same screen, users add the record to a cart and pay the standard $9 fee for the first certified copy.
Florida Statewide Marriage Index
The Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics holds marriage certificates for events filed statewide from June 6, 1927 to the present. The state index costs $5 for a search plus one certified copy. Each additional certified copy at the state level costs $4. The Bureau processes requests by mail, online through VitalChek, and in person at the Jacksonville office. State processing takes around 60 days for new filings after a ceremony.
Third-Party Genealogy Databases
FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com host indexes of Florida marriage records drawn from county and state filings. FamilySearch offers free account access. Ancestry requires a paid subscription. These databases help researchers locate older marriages, verify family trees, and find images of original certificates. Both platforms link users back to the official source for certified copies.
Ordering Certified Copies of St Petersburg Marriage Certificates
Anyone can request a certified copy of a St Petersburg marriage certificate for legal use. Certified copies carry a raised seal and are accepted by Social Security, the State Department, immigration courts, and insurance companies. The Pinellas County Clerk offers three methods to order certified copies: in person, by mail, and online.
Ordering Certified Copies by Mail
Mail requests must include the full names of both parties, the date or year of the marriage, the relationship to the couple, a daytime phone number, and a money order or cashier’s check payable to the Pinellas County Clerk. Mail the request to the Recording Department at 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756. The Clerk ships certified copies within 5 to 7 business days after receiving the request.
Ordering Certified Copies in Person
Walk-in customers can request certified copies at the counter in the Clerk’s Clearwater office. Same-day service is available during normal business hours. Customers complete a short request form, present a photo ID, and pay the $9 fee for the first copy. Additional copies cost $7 each. The office accepts cash, credit, and debit cards.
Ordering Through VitalChek Online
VitalChek is the official third-party processor for Florida vital records. Users can place online orders 24 hours a day through the VitalChek website. The cost starts at $15 plus a processing fee. VitalChek accepts major credit cards and ships via USPS or expedited courier. This method works well for users outside Florida who need a certified copy without traveling or mailing a check.
Marriage Records Before 1927 in Pinellas County
The State of Florida did not begin collecting marriage records until June 6, 1927. Marriage certificates for St Petersburg couples before that date exist only at the county level. Many older records are also preserved by religious institutions, historical societies, and genealogy libraries.
Where to Find Records From the 1800s and Early 1900s
The Pinellas County Clerk holds marriage records back to the formation of the county in 1912. For records before 1912, researchers check the archives of the former Hillsborough County (which governed this region until Pinellas was created). FamilySearch hosts microfilm scans of many early Florida marriage registers. The Pinellas Genealogy Society maintains a research library with local marriage extracts, church records, and newspaper announcements.
Tips for Locating Old Records
Researchers who hit a dead end at the county clerk should look at church marriage registers, cemetery records, and local newspaper archives. The St Petersburg Times (now Tampa Bay Times) historical archive runs back to the 1880s. Marriage announcements often include the officiant’s name, the church or venue, and the names of both parents. This data helps cross-reference any index gaps.
Florida Marriage Records Laws and Privacy
Florida marriage records are public under state law. Anyone can search the index, view digital images, and order certified copies. Certain sensitive data points are redacted before public release. The Clerk follows Florida Statute Chapter 119 and Florida Statute 741 for all marriage record handling.
Public Access Under Florida Statute 119
Florida Statute Chapter 119 declares marriage records as public documents. Social Security numbers, financial account details, and medical information are removed before public display. Names, dates, and locations of marriage remain visible. The Clerk may withhold certain records during active legal proceedings or sealed cases.
Who Can Request Certified Copies
Anyone can request a certified copy of a Florida marriage certificate. There is no requirement to prove relationship to the couple for a basic certified copy. Names, dates, certificate number, and a raised seal are included on every certified copy. Apostille services for use in foreign countries are available through the Florida Department of State.
Amendments and Corrections to St Petersburg Marriage Records
Errors on a marriage certificate can be corrected through a formal amendment process. Common corrections include misspelled names, wrong dates, missing middle names, and incorrect county of marriage. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics handles most corrections, though some county-level changes go through the Pinellas County Clerk.
Common Reasons for an Amendment
People request amendments for spelling errors, name changes after a court order, gender marker changes, and updates to reflect a legal name change after divorce. Birth date errors and Social Security number errors are also frequent. The Clerk and the Bureau require supporting documents before processing any change.
How to File a Correction Request
Applicants complete Form DH 743A (Affidavit to Amend a Marriage Record) and submit it with supporting documents. Supporting documents can include a birth certificate, passport, court order, or naturalization papers. The Bureau charges a $20 amendment fee. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks. The amended certificate replaces the original in state records.
Official Contact Information for St Petersburg Marriage Records
For official records, mail requests, or in-person service, contact the Pinellas County Clerk of Court directly. Walk-in service is available at the Clearwater office during business hours. Phone support runs during the same hours for general questions and status checks.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court – Recording Department |
| Street Address | 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 |
| Phone Number | (727) 464-3341 |
| Office Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| State Agency | Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, Jacksonville |
| State Phone | (904) 359-6900 |
| State Address | 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 |
Official Website: www.mypinellasclerk.gov
Official State Website: www.floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/marriage-certificates
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common concerns from St Petersburg residents, genealogy researchers, and legal professionals who request Florida marriage records. Each answer points to the official source, fee, and timeline for the most common record types.
How long does it take to get a certified marriage certificate in Florida?
Walk-in requests at the Pinellas County Clerk office in Clearwater are processed the same day. Mail requests are typically processed and shipped within 5 to 7 business days. Online requests through VitalChek are processed within 3 to 5 business days plus shipping. State-level requests through the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics take about 60 days for new filings after a ceremony. For records that already exist in the index, state processing takes 2 to 4 weeks.
Can I get a Florida marriage certificate for immigration use?
Yes. The Pinellas County Clerk issues certified copies of marriage certificates that immigration courts and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services accept. For use in a foreign country, an apostille from the Florida Department of State is required. The apostille confirms the signature and seal for international legal recognition. Submit the apostille request by mail or online to the Florida Department of State.
Are Florida marriage records public for free?
The Pinellas County Clerk online search portal is free to use. Users can view digital images of marriage certificates without charge. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics charges $5 for a name search plus one certified copy at the state level. Free indexes are available on FamilySearch.org for older records, but certified copies always carry a fee.
What if I do not know the exact year of the marriage?
The Pinellas County Clerk charges a $2 search fee for each year searched when the year is not provided. Researchers should narrow the year range as much as possible to reduce cost. Local newspaper archives, church records, and FamilySearch can help identify the marriage year before placing a paid request. The Clerk staff also assists with same-day counter searches for an additional fee.
Can I get a copy of a confidential marriage license in Florida?
Florida does not issue confidential marriage licenses in the same way some other states do. Premarital records and license applications are public. After the marriage, the certificate is filed with the Clerk and becomes a public record. Certain sealed records (such as those under court order or active protective cases) are not released to the public.
What is the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate?
A marriage license is the legal document that authorizes the marriage to take place. It is signed by the couple and the officiant before the ceremony. A marriage certificate is the official record filed with the Clerk after the ceremony. The certificate carries a raised seal and serves as legal proof of marriage. Certified copies of the certificate are what people order for name changes, passports, and insurance.
How do I get an apostille for a Florida marriage certificate?
To get an apostille, first order a certified copy of the marriage certificate from the Pinellas County Clerk. Then submit the certified copy to the Florida Department of State Bureau of Notary Commissions and Apostilles. The Department charges $10 per apostille and accepts mail and walk-in requests. The apostille is added to the certified copy and returned to the applicant.