Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed August 14, 2020
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Ah, young love in the Sunshine State. We all remember our first crushes and early romances, but if your relationship is more serious, how young is too young to get married? In Florida, as with most states, the answer depends on whether or not your parents consent. So here is a brief overview of marriage age requirements in Florida.
Each state has its own marriage laws and its own age requirements for marriage. However, many states, including Florida, allow individuals to marry before this age requirement if they obtain parental consent. Below, you'll find information on Florida marriage age requirements laws, including the minimum legal age with and without parental consent.
Code Section |
|
Minimum Legal Age With Parental Consent |
17 (premarital course also required) |
Minimum Legal Age Without Parental Consent |
18 |
Comments |
Minors under 17 are not permitted to marry. |
Along with being old enough, there are a few other marriage requirements under Florida law. In order to get a valid Florida marriage license, you will need a picture ID and either a social security card, passport, or I-94 card. If either you or your soon-to-be spouse has been married previously, you will need to provide the date of divorce or a copy of the divorce decree if it occurred in the past 30 days. While you don’t need to be a Florida resident to get married in the state, you will need to complete a 4-hour marriage prep course given by a court-approved provider. If you don’t take the course, there is a 3-day waiting period after you submit your application before you can get your marriage license. The filing fees for a marriage license are generally $93.50, although couples who complete the marriage preparation course may get a discount rate of $61.
State laws on marriage and seem confusing and overwhelming, especially with all of the other planning that goes into a wedding these days. You can find more introductory information in FindLaw’s marriage law section.
Marriage age laws are intended to protect you from getting married without serious contemplation. If you're a minor who's engaged, then you should talk to a family law attorney in Florida who can help you with the legal issues concerning your impending marriage.
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