How to Get a Marriage License in Tampa, Florida

Each state requires that you obtain a marriage license -- the legal document that authorizes a couple to marry -- prior to your wedding. After you marry, both spouses and the wedding officiant sign the license. The license is then filed with the state and a legal copy is issued to the couple. This form of the wedding license is required for any name changes through the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Social Security office. In Tampa, Fla., you can obtain a marriage license up to 60 days before your wedding.

• 1

  Take a premarital preparation course. If you or your future spouse is a resident of Florida, you must take a 4-hour premarital preparation course before receiving your marriage license. Residents of Tampa can contact the Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court office at 813-276-8100 for more information.

• 2

  Go to the Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court office. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as of November 2010. Both you and your future spouse must be present to apply for a marriage license.

• 3

  Bring a form of identification, such as your driver's license, Social Security card, passport or military ID, to verify your identity.

• 4

  Provide the date of divorce, death or annulment if either you or your future spouse were previously married.

• 5

  Complete the marriage license application and pay the license fee of $93.50. If both you and your future spouse took the premarital preparation course, the license fee is reduced to $61. You will receive your marriage license the same day of application.

• 6

  Get married within 60 days and return the completed license to the Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court office. The office records the license into the official records and you will receive a copy of the official marriage license through the mail.