ValentineWeddingEvent

18th Annual Valentine's Day
Wedding Ceremony

 

Service Areas

Wedding Event

Please join us for the Pinellas Clerk’s 18th Annual group wedding ceremony uniting multiple couples in marriage.

Couples wanting to make the most romantic day of the year extra special, with a wedding or vow renewal, were encouraged to register for the Annual Wedding Ceremony. Up to 60 couples, 30 couples for the wedding ceremony and 30 couples for renewals, are expected to be joined together on Valentine’s Day, Wednesday, February 14, 2024 in the picturesque Florida Botanical Gardens.

To be eligible to participate in the Valentine’s Day Wedding event, an application for a marriage license must be made between December 16, 2023 and February 10, 2024. The Clerk has waived the normal $30.00 wedding ceremony fee. Standard marriage license fees will still apply. Wedding photography packages are being offered and may be purchased through Eventbrite registration link.

Couples should arrive by 1:00 p.m. on Valentine’s Day with their marriage license and identification. Wedding photography packages may be purchased through the Eventbrite registration link and will be mailed to the couples after the ceremony. The ceremonies will take place in the Wedding Garden of the Florida Botanical Gardens located at 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33774.

“The Valentine’s Day Group Wedding is an event we look forward to every year, and we are excited to see this year’s couples” said Ken Burke, Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. “Helping local and out-of-state citizens get married or renew their vows is an honor and we are thrilled to be part of their big day.”

A single ceremony will unite each couple participating in the wedding ceremony. Couples will receive a special Commemorative Marriage Certificate, which will be mailed with the official Certificate of Marriage within one week from the date of the ceremony. The ceremony will be live-streamed on the Clerk’s YouTube Channel for guests unable to attend.

For more information regarding the event, please contact Recording Services at (727) 464-3008 or email clerksvalentinesdaywedding@mypinellasclerk.gov. For more information about the Wedding Garden or the Florida Botanical Gardens, visit www.flbg.org.

Marriage Licenses

The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller acts as an Agent for the State of Florida to issue Marriage Licenses within Pinellas County, Florida; pursuant to Florida Statute 741.01. Clerk’s Recording Services offers Marriage License, Marriage Ceremony and Marriage Photo services. For Marriage Licenses and Ceremonies, you may visit Recording Services, Room 150 of the Clearwater Courthouse, the St. Petersburg Branch, or the North County Branch of the Clerk’s office. 

A Marriage License is Only Valid for a 60 Day Period

The 60 days period begins on the effective date written on the license and ends on the expiration date written on the license. If a marriage ceremony is performed before the effective date or after the expiration date, the marriage license is not valid. If a couple allows a marriage license to expire and they wish to be married, then they will need to apply for a new marriage license.

Obtaining a Marriage License

1. Complete & Submit the online EMarriage Application

The EMarriage Application is a required form that must be filled out prior to obtaining a Marriage License from the Clerk’s office. The application is an online form that can be completed at the couple’s convenience prior to coming into the Clerk’s office, or on a public terminal within one of the Clerk’s office locations offering Marriage services.

EMarriage Application

  • Read the Disclaimer: By filling out the online application, the couple must appear before the Clerk and meet the State of Florida’s requirements for a Marriage License. Completing the online form does not mean the couple is married.
  • Fill out all required fields & select Submit.
    • If either party was previously married, it is required to enter how and when the previous marriage ended.
  • An on-screen confirmation will acknowledge that the online Application was successfully completed.
  • The Application has been sent to the Clerk’s Marriage Application Queue. It will only remain there for 30 days. To obtain a Marriage License, both parties must appear in person at one of the Clerk’s Office locations that offer Marriage Services within 30 days of submitting the Application.

2. The couple applies in person at the Clerk's office with proper identification

Both applicants are required to appear in person and provide the Clerk with proof of the following:

  • Identification:Driver’s License, State ID, Military ID or Passport
  • Age: both parties are at least 18 years old
  • Social Security Number: U.S. Citizens must provide their Social Security Number
    • Non U.S. Citizens may provide a Social Security Number or an Alien Registration Number issued by the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service.
    • A Passport is an acceptable form of ID for Non U.S. Citizens

Biological Child in common
Applicants who are both the biological parent of a minor child/children, born within the State of Florida should complete the Affirmation of Common Children form and present it to the Clerk at this time.

3. Premarital Preparation Course

If a Premarital Preparation Course was completed, the Certificate should be presented to the Clerk while applying for a Marriage License. Premarital Preparation Courses are not provided by the Clerk. The Clerk can provide a list of qualified, registered providers in Pinellas County.
List of Providers

  • Providers set their own fees and terms. For example, some ministers will only provide the course for members of their congregation.
  • A Certificate of Completion of a Premarital Counseling must state:
    • The course was a minimum of Four hours
    • The course was completed within the past year
    • State whether it was given by personal instruction or other means.
  • The Certificate of Completion must be presented while the couple applies for the Marriage License in order to receive the discounted fee and to waive the three day waiting period that applies to Florida residents.

Qualified, registered providers interested in being included on the Clerk’s list:
Request for inclusion on Pinellas Clerk's Premarital Preparation Course Provider List
Please Note: A Premarital Preparation Course is not required, but it can have a positive effect on the Fee and Effective date of a Marriage License for Florida Residents.

Marriage License Effective Date
When at least one party is a Florida Resident, Florida Statute 741.04(5) requires a 3 day waiting period between the day the License is purchased and the day the License will become Effective for the couple to marry. For a Marriage to be valid, the ceremony must take place between the Effective date and Expiration date listed on the License.
Completing a Premarital Preparation Course and presenting the Certificate of Completion to the Clerk will waive the three day waiting period, when at least one of the applicants is a Florida Resident. This will allow the couple to marry the day they purchase the License.
When both parties are non-Florida Residents, the waiting period does not apply.

Marriage License Fee

The fee for obtaining a Marriage License is $86.00.

When both applicants complete a Premarital Preparation Course and present the Certificate to the Clerk, the fee is reduced to $61.00.

Marriage License Fee - 3 Day Waiting Period for Marriage License Effective Date
Premarital Preparation Course Both Florida Residents 1 Florida Resident 1 Non Florida Resident Both Non Florida Residents
Course Taken $61.00 3 Day Waiting Period Waived $61.00 3 Day Waiting Period Waived $61.00 No Waiting Period for Out of State Residents
Course Not Taken $86.00 3 Day Waiting Period Mandatory    $86.00 3 Day Waiting Period Mandatory $86.00 No Waiting Period for Out of State Residents
 

4. Family Law Handbook Requirement

While applying for a Marriage License, the couple will be presented with the Family Law Handbook which outlines the Rights and Responsibilities of parties to a Marriage.

Both Parties are required to sign the Statement of Family Law Handbook, which acknowledges that each party has obtained and read/accessed the information contained within the Handbook. Each party will also mark whether or not a Premarital Preparation Course was completed. The Statement is required in order for a Florida Marriage License to be issued, pursuant to Florida Statute 741.04(4).
Family Law Handbook
Family Law Handbook - Spanish version

5. Oath and Signature

Once the Marriage License is prepared, the couple will review the License for accurate information. The couple will then be instructed to take an oath attesting to the truthfulness of the information they have provided, and to sign the Marriage License.

6. Payment

A single payment (Cash, Card, Check, etc.) made payable to the Clerk of Court.

Marriage Ceremony Fee

For your convenience, Deputy Clerks are authorized and available during normal working hours, Monday through Friday, to perform Marriage Ceremonies.
No Appointment is necessary, and the Ceremony can take place as soon as the License is purchased, as long as the Effective Date is valid.
The fee for this service is $30.00.

Marriage Photo & Certificate

The Clerk's Office offers a Wedding Photo service for a $10.00 fee.
The Clerk’s Office also offers a Wedding Certificate for a $5.00 fee.

A Marriage License is Only Valid for a 60 day period

The 60 days period begins on the Effective Date written on the License and ends on the Expiration Date written on the License.
If a Marriage Ceremony is performed before the Effective Date or after the Expiration Date, the Marriage License is not valid.
If a couple allows a Marriage License to expire and they wish to be Married, then they will need to apply for a new Marriage License.

Marriage Ceremony

A Florida Marriage License allows a couple to get Married anywhere in Florida, regardless of the County the License was purchased from.
For your convenience, Pinellas County Deputy Clerks are authorized to perform Marriage Ceremonies for a $30.00 fee. No Appointment is necessary, and the Ceremony can take place as soon as the License is purchased, as long as the Effective Date is valid. Additional services provided include a Marriage Photo for a $10.00 fee and a Marriage Certificate for a $5.00 fee.

Recording the License after the Marriage Ceremony

Once the Marriage Ceremony has been performed, a Pinellas County Marriage License is to be returned to the Pinellas County Clerk to Record into the Official Records. A Marriage License obtained in Pinellas County is valid for the Marriage to be performed anywhere in Florida, but a Pinellas County Marriage License must be Recorded in Pinellas County.

Once the Completed Marriage License is recorded, the Clerk will provide one Certified Copy to the couple without charge. Additional Certified Copies will cost $3.00 each.
To have a completed Marriage Licenses recorded, visit Recording Services, Room 150 of the Clearwater Courthouse, or the St. Petersburg or North County Branches of the Clerk’s Office. 

Viewing Marriage Licenses

Pinellas County Marriage Licenses from May of 1972 through the present date are available to view on the Clerk’s Official Records site.
Copies of Pinellas County Marriage Licenses are available for purchase through the Clerk’s Online Copy Request and Payment Center.
Marriage Licenses may also be viewed and purchased in Official Records, Room 163, at the Clearwater Courthouse.

Amending a Marriage License

In the event an Amendment to a Recorded Marriage License is necessary, complete the following form and visit Recording Services, Room 150 of the Clearwater Courthouse, or the St. Petersburg, or North County Branches of the Clerk’s Office. 
Affidavit Amendment to Marriage License

Frequently Asked Questions

There is a 3 day waiting period for Florida Residents, which can be waived if:

  • The couple complete a Premarital Preparation Course from a qualified, registered course provider and present the Certificate of Completion to the Clerk prior to obtaining the Marriage License.
  • The couple must also sign the Statement of Family Law Handbook, acknowledging they have accessed the Family Law Handbook, and mark the section of the Statement that certifies whether or not a Premarital Preparation Course was completed.

Please note: There is not a waiting period when both parties are Non Florida Residents.

The Clerk does not provide the course. We can provide with a list of qualified, registered providers in Pinellas.

Providers set their own fees and terms. For example, some ministers will only provide the course for members of their congregation.

If you receive a Certificate of Completion of a Premarital Counseling it must state the course was a minimum of four hours, it was given within the past year, and state whether it was given by personal instruction or other means.

The certificate must be presented at the time of application for the license.

List of Providers

Florida Statute 741.07 grants the following individuals the right to perform Marriage Ceremonies:

  • All regularly Ordained Ministers of the gospel, Elders in communion with a church, or other Ordained Clergy.
  • All Judicial Officers, including retired Judicial Officers, Clerks of the Circuit Courts, and Notaries Public of the State of Florida.
  • "Quakers" or "Friends," may perform marriages in the manner and form used or practiced in their societies.

A Minister who has been recognized in the manner required by the regulations of the respective Denomination to perform Marriage Ceremonies.

Yes. Deputy Clerks are authorized and available during normal working hours, Monday through Friday, to perform Marriage Ceremonies. No appointment is necessary. The fee for this service is $30.00. The Clerk's Office also offers a Wedding Photo service for a $10.00 fee.

Yes. If the Captain is a Notary Public of the State of Florida, the ship is in Florida waters at the time of the ceremony, and the Florida Marriage License is valid.
Florida waters: within three geographic miles from the coastline.

Once the Marriage Ceremony has taken place and the Officiator has completed their required fields on you Marriage License, return to the Clerk’s Office to have the document recorded into Official Records. The Clerk will provide the couple with one Certified Copy, the price of which was include in the purchase of the License. Additional certified copies will cost $3.00 each.

No. There are no citizenship or resident requirements.

Florida Statute 741.04(1) does not allow for a Marriage License to be issued to a person who is younger than 18 unless:

  • 741.04(1)(a): They are 17 years old and can provide written consent from their Parents/Legal Guardians, which is acknowledged by an officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments and administer oaths

And

  • 741.04(2)(b): The older party to the marriage is not more than 2 years older than the younger party.

Which means the Clerk’s Office will issue a Marriage License to:

  • A 17 year old & another 17 year old, when they have both obtained Parental/Guardian consent, as stated above.
  • A 17 year old with Parental/Guardian consent, as stated above, & the other party is either 18 or 19 years old.

The Clerk will not issue a Marriage License to a 17 year old, even with legally acknowledge Parental/Guardian consent, with anyone who is 20 years old or older.
The Clerk will not issue a Marriage License to anyone who is 16 years old or younger.

No. Speak to your clergyman, chaplain or other advisor.

Domestic Partnership

What is a Domestic Partnership?

In Pinellas County a Domestic Partnership can be registered with the Clerk of Court in accordance with Pinellas County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 70, Article III, Section 70-237: Registration of Domestic Partnerships.
To Register a Domestic Partnership, visit Recording Services, Room 150 of the Clearwater Courthouse, or the St. Petersburg or North County Branches of the Clerk’s office.

A Registered Domestic Partnership means the entity formed by two persons who have met the criteria listed in Section 70-237, Pinellas County Code and filed an Affidavit of Domestic Partnership with the Clerk.

Requirements for Domestic Partnership Eligibility

  • Each person is at least eighteen (18) years of age and competent to contract;
  • Neither person is married, nor is a partner in a domestic partnership relationship or a member of a civil union with anyone other than the co-applicant;
  • They are not related by blood as defined in Florida Law;
  • Each person considers himself or herself to be a member of the immediate family of the co-applicant and jointly responsible for the maintenance and support of the domestic partnership;
  • Applicants reside together in a mutual residence;
  • Each person declares the co-applicant to act as his/her healthcare surrogate as provided in Chapter 765, Florida Statutes and, if determined incompetent, to act as their pre-need guardian pursuant to Chapter 744, Florida Statute; and
  • Each person declares the co-applicant as his/her agent to direct the disposition of their body after death;
  • Each person agrees to be jointly responsible for each other’s basic food and shelter;
  • Each person agrees to immediately notify the Clerk’s Office, in writing by filing an Affidavit of Termination, if the terms of the Registered Domestic Partnership are no longer applicable or if one of the domestic partners wishes to terminate the domestic partnership.

Registering for a Domestic Partnership

To register for a Domestic Partnership, both partners are required to appear in person and provide the Clerk with Identification: Driver’s License, State ID, Military ID, or Passport.
The Affidavit of Domestic Partnership Registration Form must be completed. The document is required to be signed by both Partners under the pains and penalties of perjury, witnessed and signed by two Witnesses and to be Notarized.
The fee to Register a Domestic Partnership is $50.00.
Affidavit of Domestic Partnership Registration Form

Certificate of Domestic Partnership Card Upon registration with the Clerk, each partner will receive a Certificate of Domestic Partnership Card, reflecting the registration of the Domestic Partnership within Pinellas County. The Certificate Card will include the assigned DPR Registration number.
Printable Guide for Pinellas Domestic Partnership Registration

Amending a Registered Domestic Partnership Record

An Amendment to a Registered Domestic Partnership is necessary in the event the legal address for the Registered Domestic Partners changes; a legal name change of a Domestic Partner takes place; or to update the list of dependents of the Domestic Partnership. The Fee to Amend a Registered Domestic Partnership is $25.00. Complete the following form and visit Recording Services, Room 150 of the Clearwater Courthouse, or the St. Petersburg or North County Branches of the Clerk’s office.
Domestic Partnership Amendment Form

Domestic Partnership Termination

An Affidavit of Termination of Domestic Partnership must be signed by one or both partners and submitted to the Clerk upon voluntary termination of the partnership.
Additionally, under the Pinellas County Code, a Domestic Partnership will be terminated by operation of law upon the occurrence of certain events. However, even with the occurrence of an event resulting in automatic termination, it is a Domestic Partner’s obligation to file an Affidavit of Termination of Domestic Partnership with the Clerk within 10 days of the occurrence. The partner filing an Affidavit of Termination shall provide a copy of the termination to the Former Domestic Partner at their last known address.
There is no fee for recording an Affidavit of Termination of Domestic Partnership.
Complete the following form and visit Recording Services, Room 150 of the Clearwater Courthouse, or the St. Petersburg or North County Branches of the Clerk’s office.
Affidavit of Termination of Domestic Partnership Form

Domestic Partnership Registry Listings

Registered Domestic Partnerships have their own registry apart from the rest of the Pinellas County Official Records Index. Select the following link to view DPR records:
Domestic Partnership Registry Records

Rights and Legal Effect of Registered Domestic Partnership

To the extent not superseded by federal, state, or other city law or ordinance, or contrary to rights conferred by contract or separate legal instrument, Registered Domestic Partners shall have the following rights:

  • Health Care Facility Visitation.
    All health care facilities operating within the County shall honor the Registered Domestic Partnership documentation issued pursuant to the Pinellas County Code as evidence of the partnership and shall allow a Registered Domestic Partner or dependent visitation rights as provided for under 42 CFR 482 and 485. Health Care Decisions.
    Registry as a domestic partner shall be considered to be written direction by each partner designating the other to make health care decisions for their incapacitated partner, and shall authorize each partner to act as the other’s healthcare surrogate as provided for in Chapter 765, Florida Statutes. No person designated as a health care surrogate shall be denied or otherwise defeated in serving as a health care surrogate based solely upon their status as the Domestic Partner of the partner on whose behalf health care decisions are to be made. Any statutory form, including, but not limited to, a living will or health care surrogate designation in forms provided for in Chapter 765 of the Florida Statutes, that is properly executed after the date of registration which contain conflicting designations shall control over the designations made pursuant to domestic partnership registration in Pinellas County. Funeral/Burial Decisions.
    Registry as a domestic partner shall be considered to be written direction by the decedent of their intention to have their domestic partner direct the disposition of the decedent’s body for funeral and burial purposes as provided in Chapter 497, Florida Statutes, unless, prior to death, the decedent creates written authorization and direction providing conflicting terms of disposition. Where such conflict exists, the later dated document shall control. Notification of Family Members.
    In any situation providing for mandatory or permissible notification of family members, including, but not limited to, notification of family members in an emergency, “notification of family members” shall include Registered Domestic Partners. Pre-need Guardian Designation.
    A person who is a party to a Registered Domestic Partnership, pursuant to this Article, shall have the same right as any other individual to be designated as a pre-need guardian pursuant to Chapter 744, Florida Statutes, and to serve in such capacity in the event of their domestic partner’s incapacity. A domestic partner shall not be denied or otherwise be defeated in serving as the plenary guardian of their domestic partner or the partner’s property under the provisions of Chapter 744, Florida Statutes, to the extent that the incapacitated partner has not executed a valid pre-need guardian designation, based solely upon their status as the domestic partner of the incapacitated partner. Participation in Education.
    To the extent allowed by federal and state law, and subject to the policies of the School Board of Pinellas County, Florida, as amended from time to time, as well any applicable court orders, agreements, or contracts, a domestic partner of a domestic partnership registered in this County shall have the same rights as the parent partner to participate in the education of a dependent of the Registered Domestic Partnership in the County. Any right to participate in the education of a dependent of the Registered Domestic Partnership shall be exercised consistently, with applicable policies and procedures of the School Board of Pinellas County, Florida.

Marriage License & Domestic Partnership Locations 

Recording Services Department
315 Court Street, Room 150
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 464-7000 
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

North County Branch
29582 U.S. 19 North
Clearwater, FL 33761
(727) 464-7000
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

St. Petersburg Branch
545 First Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 464-7000
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.