Lee County Florida Marriage License Steps
Planning to marry in Lee County, Florida? You must get a marriage license before your ceremony.
This guide shows you the steps, required documents, fees, and waiting rules. You will learn how to apply fast and avoid common mistakes. We help you start your marriage the right way.
Lee County Marriage License Requirements
Getting a marriage license in Lee County, Florida is easy when you know what to bring. Both people must go to the Lee County Clerk’s office and show proof of age and identity. You also need to pay a fee, and if you take a short class, you pay less.
The main rule is that you must be 18 or older, or have a parent’s okay if you are 17. Florida does not make you wait, so you can marry the same day you get the license. Keep your papers ready to avoid a second trip.
What You Need to Bring
Here is a simple list of the Lee County marriage license requirements:
- Valid photo ID (driver license or passport)
- Social Security number for both people
- $93.50 fee, or $61.00 if you finish the premarital course
- Parental consent form if one person is 17
These items help the Clerk check who you are. If you forgot your ID, the office cannot give you a license that day.
Bring your ID and fee to the Lee County Clerk’s office to get your license fast.
The table below shows the fee difference with the course:
| Option | Cost |
|---|---|
| No class | $93.50 |
| Premarital course | $61.00 |
Plan your visit early in the day. The office in Fort Myers gets busy, and lines can be long before noon.
Documents Needed for Application
Getting a marriage license in Lee County, Florida is easy when you bring the right papers. Both people must show proof of age and identity, and fill out the application together at the clerk’s office.
Here is a simple list of what you need to take with you. Having these ready will help you avoid extra trips and get your license the same day.
What to Bring to the Clerk’s Office
Below is the basic list of documents most couples need. If you were married before, add the papers that show the end of that marriage.
- Valid photo ID (driver license, passport, or state ID)
- Social Security number (card not required, just the number)
- Full names and parents’ full names
- Divorce decree or death certificate if previously married
You can use the table below to check your ID options before you go.
| Document Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Primary ID | Driver License, Passport |
| Secondary ID | Birth Certificate, Military ID |
If one person cannot come, they must send a notarized form. The clerk will still need the same documents from both people.
Bring a certified divorce decree if your last marriage ended in court.
The fee is $93.50 without class, or $61 with the premarital course certificate. Keep your receipt and license safe after you leave.
Online vs In-Person Application
Getting a marriage license in Lee County, Florida can be done in two easy ways: online or in person. Both options let you apply for the same license, but they work a little differently depending on your needs and time.
If you want to save a trip, the online application is a good choice. You fill out the form on the Lee County Clerk’s website, then visit the office within 10 days to finish the process and pay the fee. In-person application means you do both steps at the office on the same day.
Which Option Fits You Best?
Here is a simple list to help you decide:
- Online: Fill form at home, go to office later to sign and pay.
- In-person: Talk to a clerk face to face and leave with papers ready.
- Online: Good if you are busy or live far from the office.
- In-person: Best if you have questions or need help fast.
The table below shows the main differences:
| Step | Online | In-Person |
|---|---|---|
| Fill form | At home | At office |
| Sign papers | Within 10 days | Same day |
| Pay fee | At office visit | At office visit |
Many couples pick online to skip the wait. A 2023 county report showed 6 out of 10 licenses were started online.
Online application cuts your office time to about 15 minutes.
Remember, both ways need a valid ID and the $93.50 fee unless you took a class. Pick the one that feels easy for you and get married in sunny Florida.
License Fees and Waiting Period
Getting a marriage license in Lee County, Florida is easy when you know the cost and the rules. The fee is $93.50 if you do not take the premarital course. If you finish the approved course, the fee drops to $61.00.
There is no waiting period if both of you are Florida residents and you show the course certificate. If you are not Florida residents, you must wait three days after getting the license unless you take the course. The license is good for 60 days in Florida.
What You Pay and When You Wait
Here is a simple table to help you see the fees and waiting time:
| Applicants | Course Taken | Fee | Wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida residents | No | $93.50 | 3 days |
| Florida residents | Yes | $61.00 | 0 days |
| Non-residents | No | $93.50 | 3 days |
| Non-residents | Yes | $61.00 | 0 days |
Bring cash or card to the Lee County Clerk office. Both people must go and show ID like a driver license. The clerk will give the license the same day if no wait applies.
“The three-day wait helps non-residents plan, but the course removes it fast.”
To save money, take the four-hour premarital class online from a Florida provider. Then print the certificate and bring it with you. This cuts the fee by over $30 and gets you married sooner.
Plan early so the 60-day window fits your wedding day. If the wait applies, count weekends and holidays. The office closes on court holidays, so check the date before you go.
Finding the Lee County Clerk Office
If you want to get a marriage license in Lee County, Florida, you need to visit the Lee County Clerk of Circuit Court office. This is the place where you fill out papers and pay the fee to make your marriage legal. The main office is in Fort Myers, but there are other spots too, so you can pick the one closest to you.
Before you go, check the office hours online because they can change on holidays. Bring your ID and know that both people getting married must go together. Finding the right office saves time and helps you start your wedding plans without stress.
Where to Go and What to Bring
The Lee County Clerk office has a few locations. Most people go to the Historic Courthouse in Fort Myers. You can also use the Cape Coral branch for marriage licenses. Here is a simple list of the main offices:
- Fort Myers: 2120 Pierce Street, Historic Courthouse
- Cape Coral: 1039 SE 9th Avenue
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
When you visit, you need a valid photo ID like a driver license. The cost is $93.50 without a class, or $61 with a certificate from a marriage course. Pay by cash, card, or check.
The Lee County Clerk office is your first stop to make your marriage official in Florida.
If you live far away, you can start the form online to save time at the desk. Just finish it in person within 60 days. Plan your trip so you are not late, because the office closes at 4:30 PM and they stop taking couples before that.
Using Your License After Approval
Once your marriage license is approved by the Lee County Clerk of Court, it becomes valid for use anywhere in the state of Florida. The license must be used within 60 days from the date of issuance, after which it will expire and a new application will be required.
After the marriage ceremony is performed by an authorized officiant, the completed license must be returned to the Lee County Marriage License Department for official recording. The signed license should be delivered within 10 days following the ceremony to ensure it is properly filed and certified copies can be issued.