{"id":372591,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:00","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/florida-law\/florida-marriage.html"},"modified":"2026-06-02T12:00:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T17:00:57","slug":"florida-marriage","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/florida-law\/florida-marriage.html","title":{"rendered":"Florida Marriage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Florida Marriage<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Florida<\/span> marriage law covers license requirements, ceremony rules, and the property rights, financial obligations, and potential for alimony<\/span> that take effect once you are legally married. Requirements vary depending on your age, prior marriages, and residency status.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Getting married in Florida<\/span> involves more than picking an officiant and filing paperwork. State law also shapes how your property is handled if the marriage ends, who can make medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated, and what financial responsibilities both spouses take on together.<\/p>\n

This article explains Florida<\/span>‘s marriage requirements and the legal rights<\/span>\u00a0and responsibilities that accompany them. For questions about your situation, contact a\u00a0Florida<\/span> family law<\/span> attorney<\/a> for guidance.<\/p>\n

Requirements To Get Married in Florida<\/span><\/h2>\n

Florida<\/span> statutes<\/span> require both parties to meet specific conditions for a valid marriage. These include age, license eligibility, and restrictions on who may legally marry.<\/p>\n

Age Requirements<\/h3>\n

Florida<\/span> law<\/span> sets minimum age requirements<\/a> for marriage. If you are 18 years of age<\/span> or older, you can marry without parental consent<\/span>. If you are 17, you may marry with parental consent<\/span> in writing, but the other party must be no more than two (2)\u00a0years older<\/a>. These stricter age-gap rules took effect July 1, 2018, as part of Florida<\/span>‘s reform of its child marriage laws. Florida<\/span> sets 17 years old as the minimum age for marriage. No exceptions exist for anyone younger than 17.<\/p>\n

Marriage License<\/span> Requirements<\/h3>\n

You and your partner must both appear in person<\/a> before a county court judge<\/span> or clerk of the court<\/span>. You can apply for a marriage license<\/span> at any Florida<\/span> county <\/span>clerk<\/span>‘s office<\/span>. It\u2019s valid in ceremonies held anywhere in the state, regardless of which county handled its issuance<\/span>.<\/p>\n

When you apply, plan to bring:<\/p>\n