Marriage records in Manatee County, Florida, are public documents accessible in several ways. ManateeCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about marriage records in the county. Additionally, records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Manatee County, and they can be requested in person at the clerk's office, by mail, or through Florida's online portals. Below is a practical guide to searching, ordering, and obtaining marriage records in this county.
Manatee Marriage Records Search
In the state of Florida, marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Clerk of the Circuit Court of the respective county. In Manatee County, this function is performed by the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court, which is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit. The collection of marriage records includes issued marriage licenses, registered marriage certificates, and historical records preserved since the county's founding.
The clerk maintains an index by the surnames of both parties and the date of marriage. If you need a record issued before 1927, contact the office directly, as older documents are sometimes stored only in paper form. Marriage records in Florida are generally open to the public according to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Manatee
The fees are set by the state of Florida and the county clerk's office. Below are the main service rates related to marriage records.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of marriage certificate | $5.00 for the first copy |
| Additional certified copy (in the same order) | $4.00 for each subsequent |
| Record search fee | Included in the copy cost |
| Marriage license | $93.50 (without premarital course) / $61.00 (with course) |
Source: Florida Statutes §28.24 and the Manatee County Clerk fee schedule. In-person requests are usually processed the same day. Mail requests may take 2–4 weeks depending on the office's workload.
Note: Divorce certificates are issued by the Florida Department of Health, not the county clerk.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Manatee
There are three main channels for ordering copies of marriage records.
Online
Certified copies of Florida marriage records (starting from June 6, 1927) can be ordered through the Florida Department of Health's portal — VitalChek. You need to fill out an electronic application on the site, pay the fee by credit card, and upload a copy of your ID. Mail delivery usually takes 2–3 weeks.
In Person
Visit the clerk's office at:
No appointment is necessary. Bring a valid photo ID. A copy will be issued within a few minutes if the record is in the electronic database.
By Mail
Send a written request to the clerk's office address. Include in the letter:
- Full names of both parties to the marriage and the approximate date of marriage.
- A check or money order payable to the Manatee County Clerk of Court.
- A copy of your photo ID.
- A self-addressed stamped envelope.
For state-level records (not county), you can also contact the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County. Family law forms, including those related to marriage cases, are available on the Family Law Forms page of the Florida Supreme Court.
If you are unsure which document you need — license, certificate, or registration confirmation — call the clerk's office. Staff will help determine the correct type of request. Additional public information about records in Manatee County can also be checked on ManateeCourt.us.