One of the steps in planning a romantic destination beach wedding along the sugar white sands of Florida's Emerald Coast is getting the marriage license.  Both partners must be at least eighteen (18) years old and single to obtain a Florida marriage license. Both applicants must appear in person and provide a picture-type identification with the date of birth shown, such as a driver's license, passport, or student ID. If either party was previously married, the applicant is required to indicate on the license application the date, county and state (or country) in which the divorce, dissolution or annulment was finalized for the previous marriage. The marriage license is issued at the time of application and is valid for 60 days.

No blood tests are required in Florida and there is a three day wait for Florida residents and no waiting period between issuance of the license and the ceremony for nonresidents.  The three day waiting period for Florida residents is only waived if the couple takes premarital counseling with a provider who is registered with the clerks office and they must bring the certificate of completion with them at the time they The marriage license fee is $93.50 and must be paid in cash. The marriage license is issued by the Clerk of Courts in each County of Florida but can be used throughout the state of Florida.

If an individual is under 18 years of age, but older than 16 years of age, a marriage license can be obtained with parental consent. If a parent has sole custody or the other parent is dead, the permission of one parent is sufficient. If a person is under the age of 16, the marriage license has to be issued by a county judge, with or without parental permission. If a minor's parents are both deceased and there is not an appointed guardian, he/she may apply for a marriage license. A minor who has been previously married may also apply for a license. A minor who swears that they have a child or are expecting a baby, can apply for a license if the pregnancy has been verified by a written statement from a licensed physician. A county court judge may at his/her discretion issue or not issue a license for them to marry.