Sunrise City Florida marriage records are managed by the Broward County Clerk of Courts because Sunrise sits inside Broward County in southeast Florida. Couples who live in Sunrise, plan to marry in Sunrise, or were married in Sunrise use the county clerk’s office for license applications, ceremonies, certified copies, and public record searches.
This page covers the exact office location, current fees, required documents, online search methods, and record correction steps for Sunrise City Florida marriage records as of September 2026.
Broward County Clerk Handles Sunrise Marriage Records
Sunrise City Florida marriage records are filed and stored at the Broward County Clerk of Courts. Florida state law places marriage license duties with the county clerk where the license is issued. The clerk keeps the original signed license, indexes it, and issues certified copies to the public. Sunrise does not run a separate city clerk for marriages because Sunrise is an incorporated city under Broward County government.
Office Address and Hours
The Broward County Clerk’s marriage license office sits in the Central Courthouse complex in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Sunrise residents drive about 12 to 18 miles east to reach the office, depending on which part of Sunrise they start from.
- Address: 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Room 02460, Midrise Building, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
- Phone: (954) 831-7283
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Service type: Walk-in only, no appointments
- Accepted payment: Cash, credit card, debit card, money order
Why Sunrise Uses Broward County
Florida’s marriage licensing system is county-based under Florida Statutes Chapter 741. Each county’s clerk issues licenses and records them locally. Sunrise has no independent clerk authority because state law reserves that function to the county. The Broward County Clerk also runs the official records search portal that covers every marriage recorded in the county, including every Sunrise couple.
Contact Channels for Record Requests
The clerk office accepts record requests by phone, mail, online portal, and in person. Phone requests work for simple questions about fee amounts and processing time. Mail requests work for certified copies of older Sunrise records that may not yet appear online. The online portal handles current records and most post-1915 records without a visit.
How to Get a Marriage License in Sunrise
Sunrise residents follow the same license application steps as every other Broward County resident. The application is filed in person at the Fort Lauderdale courthouse. Both parties appear at the same time. Florida does not allow one partner to apply on behalf of the couple.
Who Must Appear in Person
Both the bride and groom, or both spouses in any lawful marriage, must be present at the clerk’s counter. Each person signs the application under oath. Florida does not allow proxies, power of attorney filings, or remote video applications for marriage licenses as of September 2026.
Required Documents and IDs
The clerk checks each applicant’s identity with a government-issued photo ID. Accepted documents include a US driver license, US state identification card, US passport, military identification card, or alien registration card. A foreign passport works only when paired with a notarized English translation. US citizens also provide a Social Security number. Non-citizens provide their alien registration number or the country of birth if they have no SSN.
Prior Marriage and Dissolution Details
If either party was married before, the applicant states the date the prior marriage ended. A final divorce decree, annulment order, or death certificate is not filed with the clerk, but the date is recorded on the application. Florida law requires that any prior marriage be legally dissolved before a new license issues. The clerk does not require the divorce papers themselves unless there is a question about the dissolution date.
Waiting Period Rules
Florida residents face a 3-day waiting period between license issuance and the ceremony. The 3-day wait is waived for non-Florida residents and for any couple who completed an approved premarital preparation course within the past 12 months. The course certificate is presented at the time of application to skip the wait.
License Validity and Use Anywhere in Florida
A Broward County marriage license is valid for 60 days from issuance. The license can be used for a ceremony anywhere in the State of Florida, not only in Broward County. A Sunrise couple can marry in Miami, Orlando, or Key West on a Broward County license. The license expires 60 days after issue if no ceremony occurs.
Marriage License Fees in Sunrise and Broward County
The cost for a Sunrise marriage license depends on whether the couple completes a premarital course. Fees are set by Florida statute and Broward County ordinance. The clerk accepts cash and credit cards but does not accept personal checks for license fees.
Standard License Fee
The base fee for a Florida marriage license in Broward County is $86. This fee covers the clerk’s administrative cost and the recording fee for the original license after the ceremony. The fee is the same for all Florida residents and non-residents who apply at the Broward County office.
Reduced Fee With Premarital Course
A couple that completes an approved premarital preparation course pays $61 instead of $86. The course must be completed within 12 months before the application date. The course provider issues a certificate that the couple presents at the clerk’s window. The clerk scans or photocopies the certificate and files it with the application.
Approved Premarital Course Providers
Florida Statute 741.04 lists the entities that can offer a premarital course for the fee reduction. Recognized providers include licensed psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed mental health counselors, licensed physicians, certified financial planners, and official clergy. Each Sunrise couple confirms their provider meets the statute before applying for the reduced fee.
Ceremony Fees at the Clerk Office
The Broward County Clerk performs civil ceremonies at the Fort Lauderdale courthouse for a $30 fee. The ceremony is brief and performed by a deputy clerk. The clerk’s office schedules ceremonies during business hours and same-day ceremonies are common when both parties are present for the license.
Payment Methods Accepted
The clerk accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards for all marriage services. Personal checks are not accepted. Money orders are accepted for mail-in certified copy requests. Online orders through the clerk’s portal or VitalChek accept credit cards with an added processing fee.
Searching Sunrise Marriage Records Online
Sunrise couples and record seekers can search Broward County marriage records through the clerk’s online portal. The portal covers most marriages recorded in the county since the county started keeping records in 1915. Records before that date may exist only in bound paper books that require an in-person or mail request.
Broward County Clerk Online Search Tool
The Broward County Clerk Records Request Portal lets users search by name, date range, and document type. The portal returns the record index with both spouse names, the marriage date, and the document number. A free search shows the index. A small fee unlocks the scanned image of the original license and a printable uncertified copy.
Florida Department of Health Statewide Search
The Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics keeps a statewide index of Florida marriages from June 1927 forward. The statewide index covers every county including Broward. The state office does not provide a free online search but accepts mail and online orders for certified copies of any marriage record filed in Florida since 1927.
VitalChek Online Ordering Service
VitalChek is the official third-party vendor for Florida vital records. Sunrise residents can order certified copies of marriage certificates through VitalChek for a service fee on top of the state fee. VitalChek orders are processed by the Florida Department of Health. The service accepts credit cards and ships by mail or offers electronic delivery for some records.
Records Available and Date Ranges
Different sources cover different time periods for Sunrise marriages. Broward County marriage records begin in 1915. The Florida statewide index starts in June 1927. Pre-1915 marriage records for early Broward settlers may appear only in church books, family Bibles, or local historical society collections.
| Source | Coverage Start | Cost | Order Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broward County Clerk Portal | 1915 | Free index search; image fee varies | Online, mail, in person |
| Florida Department of Health | June 1927 | $5 first copy, $4 each additional | Mail, online, in person |
| VitalChek (state vendor) | June 1927 | $5 plus service fee | Online only |
| County paper archives | 1915 (some pre-1915) | $3 per certified copy | In person, mail |
How to Request Certified Copies of Records
Certified copies of Sunrise marriage records are legal documents that prove a marriage occurred. Banks, immigration offices, courts, and Social Security Administration accept certified copies with the raised or stamped clerk seal. Uncertified printouts from the portal work only for personal reference.
In-Person Requests at the Courthouse
The fastest method for a certified copy is a walk-in request at the Fort Lauderdale clerk office. The clerk searches the index, locates the recorded license, and prints a certified copy with the official seal. Most in-person requests are filled the same day when the record exists in the digital system.
Mail-in Requests and Required Details
Mail requests for certified copies go to the Broward County Clerk’s office at the same 540 SE 3rd Avenue address. The request includes both full legal names of the spouses at the time of marriage, the year of marriage, and a check or money order for $3 per copy. The clerk returns the certified copy by US mail.
Online and Third-Party Orders
The clerk’s online portal processes credit card orders for certified copies. VitalChek also handles online orders for the same records through the Florida Department of Health. Online orders add a service fee but allow tracking and electronic delivery options that mail requests do not offer.
Costs for Certified Copies
The base fee for a certified copy is $3 from the Broward County Clerk. The Florida Department of Health charges $5 for the first certified copy and $4 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. VitalChek adds a service fee that ranges from about $10 to $20 depending on delivery speed.
Processing Times for Each Method
In-person requests are usually filled the same day. Mail requests take 7 to 14 business days from the clerk’s receipt of the request. Online orders through VitalChek take 5 to 10 business days for mailed delivery. New Sunrise marriages appear in the county index within 30 to 60 days of the ceremony and in the state index within 60 to 90 days.
Who Can Access Sunrise Marriage Records
Florida marriage records are public records under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Anyone can request a copy of any Florida marriage record on file with the county clerk or state office. The clerk does not require the requester to be a spouse, relative, or legal representative.
Public Access Under Florida Law
Florida’s public records law creates a broad right of access to government records. Marriage records fall under this right. A Sunrise resident can request a copy of any marriage recorded in Broward County without giving a reason. Out-of-state and international requesters have the same right.
Details Withheld From Public Copies
The clerk removes Social Security numbers and certain financial data from public copies of marriage records. The names of both spouses, the date of marriage, the license number, and the officiant’s name remain on the public copy. Sensitive personal data is protected even though the record itself is public.
Authorized Requesters for Sealed Records
Some marriage records are sealed by court order. Sealed records are not available to the general public. Only the named spouses, their attorneys, and parties with a court order can request copies of sealed Sunrise marriage records. Court-ordered seals are rare and usually relate to name changes or safety concerns.
Historical and Genealogical Sunrise Records
Sunrise City Florida marriage records are useful for genealogy research. Sunrise was incorporated as a city in 1961, but the area was settled earlier and marriages took place under the county jurisdiction before incorporation. Researchers tracing Sunrise families can combine county, state, and church records to build a full picture.
Oldest Records Available
The oldest Broward County marriage records on file with the clerk start in 1915. Some pre-1915 records exist in bound volumes that were transferred from the territorial courthouse. The Florida statewide marriage index starts in June 1927 and includes every county. Records before 1915 are rare and may require research at the Broward County Historical Commission or the State Archives of Florida.
Searching Pre-1927 Records
Researchers looking for Sunrise marriages before 1927 contact the State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee. The archives hold early territorial and state-level records that pre-date the county system. Church records from local congregations also fill gaps for early Broward County settlers.
Using the Florida Statewide Index
The Florida Department of Health maintains a statewide marriage index that includes every recorded Florida marriage from 1927 forward. The index lists the spouse names, the county of marriage, and the year. Researchers can request a full certified copy once the index confirms the marriage exists.
Third-Party Genealogy Databases
Commercial genealogy sites like Ancestry, FamilySearch, and MyHeritage have indexed many Florida marriage records. These databases help researchers confirm names and dates quickly. They do not provide official certified copies for legal use, but they help locate the record before requesting it from the clerk.
Correcting or Amending a Sunrise Marriage Record
Errors on a marriage certificate can be corrected. Common mistakes include misspellings, wrong dates, or missing middle names. Florida law allows corrections when the original record contains a clerical error. Substantive changes require a court order.
Common Correction Reasons
Typographical errors in names are the most common reason for a correction. Wrong dates of marriage, missing officiant signatures, or incorrect county listings also occur. Each correction type has its own form and fee schedule.
Required Correction Form
The Florida Department of Health Form DH 749 is the standard application for a marriage record correction. The form requires the original record details, the corrected details, and supporting documents like a birth certificate or driver license. Both spouses sign the form.
Fees and Processing Time
A correction processed by the county clerk costs $3 for a new certified copy. Corrections that go through the state office cost $5 plus the cost of any new certified copies. Processing time runs 4 to 8 weeks depending on the correction type and the issuing office workload.
Apostille and Out-of-State Use
Sunrise couples who married in Florida and need their marriage certificate recognized in a foreign country obtain an apostille. An apostille is a state-issued certification that validates the document for use in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
When an Apostille Is Needed
Countries that participate in the Hague Apostille Convention accept an apostilled Florida marriage certificate without further legalization. Non-Hague countries require a different process called authentication through the US Department of State. The apostille attaches to the certified copy from the clerk.
Florida Department of State Process
The Florida Department of State Office of Notary Commissions issues apostilles in Tallahassee. The applicant mails or delivers the original certified copy of the marriage certificate, a cover letter, and the apostille fee. Processing takes about 5 to 10 business days by mail. In-person apostille requests can be processed same-day at the Tallahassee office.
Sunrise City Quick Reference
Sunrise is a mid-sized city in western Broward County. The city covers about 18 square miles and sits between Fort Lauderdale and the Everglades. Sunrise is home to the Sawgrass Expressway, the Amerant Bank Arena, and a large population of families, retirees, and young professionals.
Population and Geography Data
Sunrise had a population of about 97,000 residents in the 2020 census. The city sits at roughly 26.1 degrees north latitude. Sunrise borders Plantation, Davie, Lauderhill, Weston, and Tamarac. The city is about 30 miles north of Miami and 12 miles west of Fort Lauderdale.
Office Locations and Contact Summary
The Broward County Clerk of Courts is the single point of contact for all Sunrise City Florida marriage records. The clerk’s office handles license applications, ceremonies, certified copies, online searches, and corrections. The Florida Department of Health handles statewide records and certified copies for marriages older than the county digital index.
Broward County Clerk of Courts Contact
Broward County Clerk of Courts, Marriage License Department, 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Room 02460, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Phone (954) 831-7283. Hours Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Walk-in service only.
Florida Department of Health Office
Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, PO Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231. Phone (904) 359-6900. The state office handles statewide marriage record orders from 1927 to present.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sunrise Records
The following questions cover the most common record-related requests from Sunrise residents, genealogists, and people verifying Florida marriages. Each answer is based on current Florida statutes, Broward County clerk policies, and Florida Department of Health rules as of September 2026. Call the clerk before visiting if your situation involves unusual circumstances.
How Long Does It Take for a New Sunrise Marriage to Show Up Online?
New Sunrise marriages appear in the Broward County Clerk online index within 30 to 60 days of the ceremony. The officiant has 10 days after the ceremony to return the signed license to the clerk. After the clerk records the license, the index updates within a few business days. The Florida statewide index takes 60 to 90 days to reflect the same marriage.
Can I Get a Marriage License by Mail in Sunrise?
No. Florida law requires both parties to appear in person at the county clerk’s office for a marriage license. Mail applications are not accepted. Remote video applications are not accepted. The only exception applies to applicants serving in the US armed forces on active duty under specific state rules, which require direct contact with the clerk before any alternate arrangement is approved.
What Is the Difference Between a Marriage License and a Marriage Certificate?
A marriage license is the document that authorizes a couple to marry. A marriage certificate is the recorded proof that the marriage took place. The license is signed by the officiant after the ceremony and returned to the clerk. The clerk records the license and issues a marriage certificate as the official record that serves as legal proof of the marriage.
Are Sunrise Marriage Records Available for Free?
The online index search through the Broward County Clerk portal is free. The scanned image and uncertified printout cost a small fee. Certified copies always carry a fee of $3 from the county and $5 from the state. VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the state fee. The fee structure is the same for Sunrise residents and non-residents.
Can a Non-Citizen Get Married in Sunrise?
Yes. Florida does not require US citizenship to get married. Non-citizens present a valid passport or alien registration card. The clerk records the marriage certificate and the couple can request certified copies for immigration filings. Marriage to a US citizen does not by itself grant immigration status. Each immigration case follows separate federal rules.
How Do I Verify That a Sunrise Marriage Actually Happened?
Run a search through the Broward County Clerk online portal using both spouses’ full names and the year of marriage. If the portal returns no result, the Florida Department of Health statewide index is the next check. A certified copy from either source serves as legal proof of the marriage for any official or legal purpose.
What Happens to a Sunrise Marriage Record if a Couple Divorces?
The marriage record stays on file with the clerk and the state office. Divorce does not erase the marriage record. The divorce decree is a separate record filed with the Broward County Clerk’s family law division. Researchers and legal professionals can request both records separately and the two records remain independent of each other.