Orange County Marriage License — Step by Step.

Where to apply.

Marriage licenses in Orange County are issued by the Orange County Comptroller's office. The main location is at 109 E. Church Street, Suite 300, Orlando, FL 32801 — directly in downtown Orlando. This is the primary office for marriage license applications and the most commonly used location for couples in the Orlando metro area.

The Comptroller also operates satellite locations throughout Orange County for tax and recording services. However, marriage license availability at branch offices can vary. Call ahead or check the Comptroller's website to confirm which locations are currently processing marriage license applications. Both partners must appear together in person. You cannot apply online or by proxy in Florida.

What to bring.

Both partners need a valid, government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card all work. If either partner was previously married, proof of dissolution is required — a certified copy of the final divorce decree or, if applicable, a death certificate. Social Security numbers are required but you do not need to bring the physical card. No blood test is required. No witnesses are needed at the application appointment.

If either partner is under 18, additional requirements apply — including parental consent and potential judicial approval. Florida law prohibits issuing a marriage license to anyone under 17.

How much it costs.

The marriage license fee in Orange County is approximately $86 as of 2026. Florida residents who complete an approved premarital preparation course receive a discount — the fee drops to approximately $61.00. These amounts are set by state statute and can change, so confirm the current fee on the Orange County Comptroller's website before your visit. Payment methods accepted may vary by location — bring multiple forms of payment to be safe.

Orange County Marriage License — Key Facts

Detail	Information
Fee	Approximately $86
With premarital course	Approximately $61.00
Waiting period	3 days (waived with premarital course)
ID required	Valid government-issued photo ID for both partners
Location	Orange County Comptroller, 109 E. Church Street, Orlando
Valid statewide	Yes — any Florida county

Source: Orange County Comptroller's Office, verified May 2026. Fees and requirements are subject to change — confirm with the comptroller's office before your visit.

The premarital course option.

Florida offers two incentives for couples who complete an approved premarital preparation course. First, the marriage license fee is reduced by approximately $32.50. Second — and more practically important — the three-day waiting period is waived entirely. Without the course, there is a mandatory three-day cooling-off period between the date the license is issued and the date the ceremony can legally take place.

The course must be completed through a registered provider. Dovetail Edition offers the Florida Premarital Course for $49, completed entirely online. It satisfies the state requirement and is accepted by every county clerk and comptroller in Florida. For couples already planning to marry within days of applying — especially destination couples visiting Orlando — the course is practically mandatory. The three-day wait can disrupt tight timelines and travel schedules.

The waiting period.

Without a premarital course completion certificate, Florida law requires a three-day waiting period after the license is issued. The ceremony cannot legally take place during those three days. With the course certificate in hand, there is no waiting period — the license is effective immediately upon issuance, and you can hold your ceremony the same day.

Once issued, the license expires 60 days later. If the ceremony does not take place within that 60-day window, the couple must reapply and pay the fee again. Plan accordingly — do not apply too early or too late.

After the ceremony: signing and returning the license.

This is the step most couples forget about. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage license and completes the officiant section. The signed license must then be returned to the county clerk or comptroller's office within 10 days for official recording. Until it is recorded, the marriage is not reflected in the county's official records.

At Dovetail Edition, the officiant signs the license immediately following the ceremony and walks the couple through the return process. We confirm the timeline and logistics during the planning conversation so nothing falls through the cracks. The license can be returned to any Florida county's recording office — it does not have to go back to Orange County specifically.

Florida licenses are valid statewide.

A Florida marriage license is valid in every county in the state. You can apply for your license in Orange County and hold the ceremony in Osceola, Seminole, Polk, or any other Florida county. Likewise, a couple getting married in Orange County can apply for their license in a different county if that is more convenient. There is no residency requirement — the license simply needs to be a valid Florida marriage license, regardless of where it was issued.

This is particularly relevant for couples visiting Orlando for a destination wedding or elopement. You can apply for the license in Orange County the day before (or the day of, with the premarital course) and hold the ceremony wherever you choose in the state. For a detailed walkthrough of the process in the neighboring county, see our Hillsborough County marriage license guide.

Cities and areas covered by Orange County.

Orange County covers Orlando, Winter Park, Windermere, Dr. Phillips, Winter Garden, Apopka, Maitland, and surrounding unincorporated communities. If your ceremony is in any of these locations, you are in Orange County. Couples getting married in nearby Kissimmee or Celebration are in Osceola County. Those in Sanford or Lake Mary are in Seminole County. Again — you can apply for the license in any Florida county regardless of where the ceremony takes place.

Common questions.

We live out of state. Can we get a Florida marriage license? Yes. There is no residency requirement for a Florida marriage license. Out-of-state and international couples apply the same way as Florida residents. The only difference: the premarital course fee reduction (approximately $32.50) is available only to Florida residents. The waiting-period waiver still applies to everyone who completes the course.

Can we apply the same day as the ceremony? Only if you have completed the premarital course, which waives the three-day waiting period. Without it, you must wait three full days between application and ceremony.

What about name changes? The marriage license itself does not change your name. After the ceremony and recording, use the certified marriage certificate to update your name with the Social Security Administration, then the DMV, banks, passport office, and other institutions. The name you want to use after marriage should be indicated on the license application.

What if our license expires before the ceremony? If 60 days pass without a ceremony, the license is void. You must reapply in person, pay the fee again, and — if you are not using the premarital course — wait another three days. Build margin into your timeline, but do not apply months in advance.

Do we need an appointment? Policies change. As of this writing, the Orange County Comptroller's downtown office accepts both walk-ins and appointments for marriage licenses. Check the Comptroller's website for current scheduling requirements — particularly during peak wedding season or holiday weeks when wait times may be longer.

Booking an officiant for Orange County.

The marriage license is the legal foundation. The officiant is the person who makes it count — both legally and emotionally. Dovetail Edition serves all of Orange County as part of the I-4 corridor between Tampa and Orlando. Every ceremony is written from scratch, built around the couple's actual story and voice.

Packages start at $500 for an elopement (up to 10 guests) and $700 for a microwedding (up to 30 guests). A Signature ceremony for up to 50 guests is $1,400. Vow renewals are $600. Ceremony writing only — without officiation — is also available at $500.

If you are planning a ceremony in Orange County and want an officiant who writes something real, the next step is a short inquiry. The form takes two minutes. A response lands within one business day.