DIY Florida Beach Wedding Guide for permits and marriage licenses

This is just a little info about the main city's where Florida beach weddings take place. And a few tips to help you get started.

First you need to decide where the wedding will be at and where you will be staying. It's a good idea to make them as close as possible to each other, it will make your day easier, trust me on this one.

When it comes to choosing the place for your wedding, and reception, there are so many possibilities - you can pick anything from hotels, banquet halls, catering halls, mansions, country clubs, yachts, gardens, lofts, museums, restaurants, and other private spaces.

If you have picked your spot start researching the available houses, condos and resorts or hotels around that area and book them as soon as possible. Ideally ,you should find a house on the beach where you can get ready and then walk straight out the back door to your wedding. They tend to go fast so don't procrastinate, you might lose your dream spot.

If you are thinking of a Florida beach wedding here are some hot spots and the links to their websites so you can check out the city.

You should also check out the events that will be happening on the week of your wedding. Nothing could ruin a wedding faster than an event that you were unaware of on your wedding day, for example, bike week. You also might want to check out any "fun" stuff in the city, like swimming with the dolphins, or deep sea fishing, and check on the prices. That way you can compare the areas and make the best decision for your budget.

The websites below are the official city website. You may need to contact the chamber of commerce to get your wedding permit and/or any other official paper's you may need for your wedding. If you want a bond fire, for example, you may need a permit for that. Will you have your own decorations? They may need to know that also so it can be in your permit. This step is vital. Some places require a permit, some do not. You will have to call and check on this with the local chamber of commerce and get the permit through them if needed.

Marriage License
You'll need a photo ID to get a marriage license.
If you are from out of state, you will need to get a marriage license from any county in Florida.
Both people must be 18 years of age older.
The date of a divorce or death of a spouse must be provided, if applicable.
No blood test is required.
There is no waiting period for non-residents of the State of Florida.
If one of you is a resident of the State of Florida, a three day waiting period applies.

Who may perform marriage ceremonies?
The following officials are authorized by Florida law to perform marriage ceremonies:

• A regularly ordained minister or other ordained clergy;

• Elders in communion with some church;

• All judicial officers (judges) of the State of Florida;

• Clerks of the Circuit Courts and their deputized employees; and

• Notaries Public of the State of Florida.

In addition, the law provides that marriages may be performed among "Quakers" or "Friends," in the manner and form used or practiced in their societies.

This information is for the DIY Bride. If you bought a wedding package then the wedding planner will take care of the permits for you. However, you can still use the links to check out the city's and their calenders.

Anna Maria Island
The office of the City Clerks
Office Hours 8am to 4pm - Monday through Friday.
Phone: (941) 708-6130
http://www.cityofannamaria.com/

Clearwater Beach
A prerecorded marriage license information line is available 24 hours a day at 727-464-4700. You may speak to a clerk at that number Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
www.clearwater-fl.com

Destin/Fort Walton
For Marriage Licenses call the Okaloosa County Courthouse at (850) 651-7200 x 3
For County Beach Park Wedding Permits call Public Works at (850) 689-5084.
www.cityofdestin.com

Key West
For information please call the Monroe County government: 305-292-3550
www.fla-keys.com

Ft. Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale Beach
As far as I know, no permit is required to have a wedding ceremony on Fort Lauderdale Beach. You are allowed to bring chairs and a bridal arch. However, you are not allowed to rope off any areas or restrict public access. Stakes cannot be used to secure the bridal arch, but sandbags can be used. Wedding receptions are not allowed at this location.
Broward County Courthouse
201 S.E. 6th Street, Room 270 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
Telephone: (954) 831-6525 Ext. 7842 | Business Hours: 8:00am- 4:30pm (Monday - Friday)
www.ci.ftlaud.fl.us

Naples
Marriage licenses can be obtained at Collier County Administration Building F, 4th Floor, 3301 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34112
(239) 252-2646
www.naplesgov.com

Captiva Island
Contact the Clerk of Courts office (239) 335-2273; www.leeclerk.org to purchase a marriage license. To qualify, both parties must apply in person with proper identification.
www.sanibel-captiva.org

Cocoa Beach
To apply for a marriage license in Brevard County, applicants must go to a Brevard County Clerk of the Circuit Court office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. For more information, call (321) 637-5413 or visit www.brevardclerk.us/.
www.cityofcocoabeach.com

Ft. Myers
Contact the Lee County Clerk of Courts at LeeClerk.org or by phone at 239-335-2273 or
239-335-2283
www.cityftmeyers.com

Miami
Wedding venues fill up quickly in Miami. Some locations book a year or more in advance. Make some calls as soon as you know when you want your wedding to take place. Try to be flexible with the date. As far as I know you can have a wedding on a public beach in Miami without a permit.
Metro-Dade Flagler Building

140 West Flagler Street, Suite 1503 | Miami, Florida 33130
Telephone: (305) 375-3019 | Business Hours: 9:00 am-4:00pm

www.miamigov.com/cms/

Orlando
You can apply at any of these four locations
425 North Orange Avenue, Room 355, Orlando
450 North Lakemont Avenue, Winter Park
1111 North Rock Springs Road, Apopka
475 West Story Road, Ocoee
or call (407) 836-2000
http://www.cityoforlando.net/

Sarasota and surrounding keys
Marriage licenses can be obtained at: Sarasota County Courthouse - Marriage License Department at 1991 Main Street, Suite 225, Sarasota, FL 34237 or South County Administration Bldg., 4000 South Tamiami Trail, Room 129A, Venice, FL 34293.
If you need additional information, please contact the Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800/522-9799.
http://www.sarasotafl.org/

St. Augustine
St. Johns County Clerk of Courts
4010 Lewis Speedway
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Tel: (904) 819-3600
Fax: (904) 819-3661
www.ci.st-augustine.fl.us

St. Petersburg
CLERK'S TYRONE BRANCH OFFICE
1800 66th Street North
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
Telephone: (727) 582-7681

ST. PETERSBURG BRANCH OFFICE
545 First Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Telephone: (727) 582-7771
www.stpetebeach.org