Marriage records are valuable sources of public information for family historians, researchers, or anyone needing official proof of marriage. If you are looking for marriage records in Broward County, Florida, the Broward County Clerk of Courts search portal provides a convenient online tool. This page guides you through the process of utilizing this tool to access the records you need. If you are looking to order an official Florida marriage certificate than scroll down below for instructions.
Finding Marriage Records by Name
The first, and most common way of searching for marriage records, is by using the names of both spouses. When you use the Broward County Clerk of Courts search portal, it requires the first name and last name of each spouse. It also provides an optional field for the middle name to further refine your search results.
For a successful search, the information you input needs to align with the details provided in the marriage application. These include the first, middle (if available), and last names of both parties involved. Misaligned or incorrect data could lead to inaccurate or zero results.
Using Date of Birth for Your Search
Additionally, the search portal requires the date of birth of each spouse. This detail significantly narrows down the search and ensures you get records for the correct individuals.
Searching With the Marriage Date
Finally, the Broward County Clerk of Courts search portal needs the date of marriage. This is a vital piece of information when searching for a specific marriage record. It could be the very date the marriage took place or a range of dates when the marriage is believed to have occurred.
If you are unsure about the exact date of marriage, the portal allows you to input a 'from date' and 'to date.' This range search helps to cast a wider net over the period you believe the marriage occurred.
Finding Marriage Records by License Number
A marriage license number is a unique identifier assigned to each marriage license upon issue. This number is exclusive to a specific couple's marriage license, making it a precise tool for searching marriage records.
When conducting your search on the Broward County Clerk of Courts search portal, there is a specific field to input the marriage license number. The system will then scan its database and return the matching marriage record, providing quick and accurate results.
Advantages of the License Number Search
The advantage of using the license number to search for marriage records is its pinpoint accuracy. The system will only return a result if the license number you've entered matches an existing record in the database. This feature eliminates any confusion caused by common names or shared birth dates, ensuring that the record you receive is indeed the one you're looking for.
Access The Marriage License Portal
How To Order a Florida Marriage Certificate
Marriage certificates in Florida, spanning from June 6, 1927 to the present day, that have been documented by the Clerk of Circuit Court can be accessed via the Bureau of Vital Statistics. The issued certificate, an abstract derived from the marriage license information, is recognized as valid proof that a marriage was concluded and officially registered.
Following the wedding ceremony, the marriage license is sent back to the Clerk of Circuit Court for filing and recording. Afterward, the Clerk sends the marriage record to the Bureau of Vital Statistics for permanent archiving. This procedure typically takes around 60 days. If your recent marriage ceremony is within 60 days from the application date and immediate validation of the marriage is needed, you can reach out to the county Clerk of Circuit Court who issued the marriage license. Marriages that took place prior to June 6, 1927, can be obtained from the Florida Clerk of Circuit Court where the marriage license was initially issued.
VitalChek is the only contracted vendor for the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. We do not recommend using any other online vendor. The application process requires you to share personal information, so security and confidentiality is critical. We can only guarantee your privacy if you order through VitalChek.
Click VitalChek® to start your online order or call VitalChek at 1-877-550-7330 to order by phone. If calling from outside the U.S., call 1-615-372-6800.
For marriages that occurred outside of Florida, please visit the National Center of Health Statistics website.
The Broward County Clerk of Courts has simplified the process of searching for marriage records. By following the steps above, you can retrieve the records you need in no time. If you encounter any challenges while searching, the Broward County Clerk's office offers assistance to guide you through the process. Their commitment is to make public records accessible and easily retrievable by the citizens they serve.
