At a Glance
| Total cost | $116 (license + ceremony) |
| Marriage license fee | $86 ($61 with premarital course) |
| Civil ceremony fee | $30 |
| Address | 601 NW 1st Court, Miami, FL 33136 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Waiting period | 3 days for Florida residents (waived with premarital course); none for non-residents |
| Guest limit | Guests welcome; exact room capacity unconfirmed (call ahead for large groups) |
| Residency required | No |
| Witnesses | Bring at least 2 (see details below) |
| Book online | miamidadeclerk.gov |
A note on fees: Some sources list the standard marriage license fee at $93.50 rather than $86. We recommend confirming the current fee with the Miami-Dade County Clerk’s office at (305) 275-1155 before your visit.
What Makes a Miami Courthouse Wedding Special
Miami-Dade County is one of the most accessible places in the country to get legally married. There is no residency requirement and no citizenship requirement. If you are visiting from another state or another country, you can walk into the Marriage License Bureau, apply for your Miami-Dade County marriage license, and have a civil ceremony performed the same day with zero waiting period. That makes Miami a genuinely practical option for destination elopements and couples who want to skip the traditional wedding timeline entirely.
For Florida residents, there is a standard 3-day waiting period after receiving your license. But that waiting period disappears entirely if you complete a 4-hour premarital course from a state-registered provider. The course also reduces your license fee from $86 to $61, saving you $25. If you are a Florida resident planning a courthouse wedding in Miami, the premarital course is the single best thing you can do to simplify the process. It turns a multi-day ordeal into a one-trip experience.
The civil ceremony itself costs $30 and takes place in a small decorated room at the Marriage License Bureau. A Deputy Clerk performs the ceremony. You can bring family, friends, flowers, and your own photographer. For couples who want to skip the months of planning and five-figure price tag of a traditional wedding, a Miami courthouse wedding delivers the legal result for under $120.
Step by Step: How to Get Married at the Miami-Dade County Courthouse
1. Complete the online pre-application. Go to miamidadeclerk.gov and fill out the marriage license pre-application before your visit. Print it and bring it to your appointment. This step significantly reduces your wait time at the office. Skipping it means filling out paperwork at the counter, which adds time and increases the chance of delays.
2. Gather your documents. Both parties need a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. Accepted forms include a driver’s license, passport, state ID, U.S. military ID, alien registration card, or original naturalization certificate. You will also need your Social Security number (the card itself is not required, just the number). Non-U.S. citizens without an SSN can substitute an alien registration card, U.S. driver’s license, or passport number.
If either of you was previously married, bring the exact date your prior marriage ended and the reason (divorce, death, or annulment). If your divorce was finalized within the past 30 days, bring a certified copy of the decree.
3. Florida residents: take the premarital course. A 4-hour course from a state-registered provider, completed within the past 12 months, waives the 3-day waiting period and reduces your license fee by $25. Approved providers are listed through the Miami-Dade Clerk’s online directory. Bring the original certificate of completion to your license appointment.
4. Schedule your appointments. Book both your marriage license appointment and ceremony time through miamidadeclerk.gov. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointment holders go first. Fridays tend to be the busiest day, so aim for earlier in the week if possible.
5. Appear together at the Marriage License Bureau. Both parties must appear in person at the same time. No proxies, no exceptions. The central office is at 601 NW 1st Court, Miami, FL 33136. Several district court locations throughout Miami-Dade County also process marriage licenses, which can be convenient if you live closer to one of those offices.
6. Get your marriage license. Pay the license fee ($86 standard, $61 with premarital course certificate). Your Miami-Dade marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.
7. Have your civil ceremony. If you scheduled a ceremony at the courthouse, the Deputy Clerk will perform it in the decorated ceremony room. The ceremony fee is $30. Bring your witnesses, guests, and photographer.
8. Handle the paperwork. After the ceremony, your officiant returns the signed marriage license to the clerk’s office within 10 days. Request multiple certified copies of your marriage certificate. You will need them for name changes with Social Security, DMV, the passport office, and insurance providers. Order 2 to 3 copies to cover all your bases.
Miami-Dade County Marriage License Details
Documents You Need to Bring
- Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID for both parties
- Social Security number (card not required, just the number)
- Non-U.S. citizens without SSN: alien registration card, U.S. driver’s license, or passport number
- If previously married: exact date of termination and reason
- If divorced within the last 30 days: certified copy of the decree
- Printed pre-application from miamidadeclerk.gov
Marriage License Fees
| License type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard | $86 |
| With premarital course certificate | $61 |
Where to Apply for Your Marriage License
The central location is the Marriage License Bureau at 601 NW 1st Court, Miami, FL 33136. Multiple district court locations throughout Miami-Dade County also process marriage licenses. Call (305) 275-1155 for the full list of district locations and their hours.
How Long Is the License Valid?
Your marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. If it expires before your ceremony, you will need to reapply and pay the fee again.
Waiting Period
- Florida residents: 3-day waiting period after license issuance. Waived entirely with a 4-hour premarital course certificate.
- Non-residents: No waiting period. You can get your license and marry the same day.
Minors (Age 17)
Processed only at the central bureau. Both parents or guardians must appear with valid ID. The minor needs an original birth certificate and signed parental consent forms. The other spouse may be no more than 2 years older than the minor.
Miami Civil Ceremony Details
What to Expect at the Courthouse
A Deputy Clerk performs the civil ceremony in a small decorated room at the Marriage License Bureau. This is a standard civil ceremony with traditional vows. The fee is $30.
You can bring guests, family members, flowers, and small personal touches to make the moment yours. The clerk’s office also offers optional photos for $10.
Your Officiant
The Deputy Clerk serves as your officiant for courthouse ceremonies. If you prefer to choose your own officiant, you can get your license at the courthouse and hold the ceremony anywhere in Florida. Eligible officiants in Florida include ordained clergy, judges, and notaries public. This gives you the flexibility to pair the legal paperwork with a ceremony in a location that means something to you.
Popular Alternative Ceremony Locations in Miami
If you get your license at the courthouse but want a different backdrop for the ceremony itself, Miami has plenty of options. Popular spots include Miami Beach, Bayfront Park, and Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Your marriage license is valid anywhere in Florida, so you are not limited to the courthouse.
After the Ceremony
Your officiant must return the signed marriage license to the clerk’s office within 10 days of the ceremony. Order multiple certified copies of your marriage certificate right away, as processing may take several weeks. Plan on needing copies for Social Security, your bank, DMV, the passport office, and insurance providers.
Photography and Guest Tips
Photography Rules
Outside photographers and personal cameras are welcome in the ceremony room. The clerk’s office also offers optional photos for $10 if you prefer not to bring your own photographer.
Note: No official source we consulted addresses restrictions on professional photography equipment like lighting rigs or tripods inside the courthouse. If your photographer plans to bring specialized equipment, call the clerk’s office at (305) 275-1155 to confirm what is allowed before your ceremony date.
Guest Policy
Guests, family, and friends are welcome to attend your Miami courthouse wedding ceremony. The small decorated ceremony room can accommodate a group, though the exact capacity is not publicly listed.
Note: If you plan to bring more than a handful of guests, call ahead at (305) 275-1155 to ask about space limitations. The last thing you want is to arrive with 20 family members and find out the room holds 10.
Witness Requirements
This is one area where available sources disagree. Florida Statute 741.07 has historically required witnesses, and one source states 2 witnesses are needed to sign the marriage license. Another source claims Florida no longer requires witnesses.
Our recommendation: Bring at least 2 people who can serve as witnesses and sign the marriage license. Confirm the current requirement with the clerk’s office at (305) 275-1155 before your ceremony date. It is better to have witnesses and not need them than to arrive without them and find out they are required.
Practical Tips for Your Miami Courthouse Wedding
Complete the online pre-application before you go. This is the single biggest time saver. Fill it out at miamidadeclerk.gov, print it, and bring it with you. Do not skip this step.
Schedule appointments for both the license and ceremony. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointment holders go first. This can mean the difference between 15 minutes and over an hour of waiting.
Arrive early. The office closes at 4:00 PM with no exceptions. Give yourself plenty of buffer, especially if you are completing your license and ceremony on the same day.
Avoid Fridays. They are consistently the busiest day at the Marriage License Bureau. If you have flexibility, aim for Tuesday through Thursday for shorter waits and a calmer experience.
Plan your payment. Research sources did not specify which payment methods the clerk’s office accepts. Call ahead at (305) 275-1155 to ask whether they take cash, credit cards, or both, so you are not caught off guard.
Order multiple certified copies. You will need certified copies of your marriage certificate for name changes with Social Security, DMV, the passport office, banks, and insurance providers. Order 2 to 3 copies right away rather than coming back later.
Ask about the confidentiality option. Florida Statute 119.071 provides an exemption form to keep your marriage records private. Ask about it at the clerk’s office if privacy matters to you.
Florida residents: take the premarital course. It saves you $25 on the license fee and waives the 3-day waiting period. The 4-hour course is available online from approved providers. There is no downside.
Planning a courthouse wedding in another city? Check out our guides for San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta, and Detroit courthouse weddings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can non-residents get married at the Miami-Dade County Courthouse?
Yes. There is no residency or citizenship requirement. Couples from any state or country can get a marriage license and have a civil ceremony in Miami-Dade County. Non-residents also have no waiting period, making Miami a practical choice for a destination elopement or quick courthouse wedding.
How much does a Miami courthouse wedding cost in total?
The standard total is $116: $86 for the marriage license plus $30 for the civil ceremony. Florida residents who complete the premarital course pay $91 total ($61 license + $30 ceremony). Optional clerk photos cost an additional $10.
Do Florida residents have to wait 3 days to get married?
Yes, unless you complete a 4-hour premarital course from a state-registered provider. The course waives the waiting period entirely and also reduces the license fee by $25. The course must be completed within 12 months of your license application. Bring the original certificate of completion to your appointment.
Can we get our marriage license and have the ceremony on the same day?
Non-residents: yes, always. Florida residents: yes, but only if you have completed the premarital course to waive the 3-day waiting period. Without the course, you must wait 3 days between receiving your license and having your ceremony.
