Manatee County Online Premarital Preparation Course

Avoid the three day wait requirement and save $32.50 on your marriage license in Manatee County.

Here’s how it works:

The Manatee County Courthouse will reduce your marriage license application fee $32.50 upon completing our online premarital preparation course. The standard fee for a marriage license is $93.50, however, applicants who file a certification that both parties have completed our online premarital preparation course within the past 12 months, are entitled to a discount ($32.50), making their fee $61.00.

The cost of our the course is $19.99, so you will actually SAVE $12.51 on your marriage license and there will be no out of pocket cost.

Our Online Premarital Preparation Course for Manatee County Covers the Following Cities:

• Anna Maria
• Bradenton
• Bayshore Gardens
• Bradenton Beach
• Cortez
• Ellenton
• Holmes Beach
• Longboat Key
• Myakka City
• Oneco
• Palmetto
• Samoset
• South Bradenton
• West Bradenton
• Whitfield

To purchase your online marital course, click here.

Please refer to the Manatee County Clerk of Court website for additional information. (http://www.manateeclerk.com/)

Marriage License Law

In Florida, the Clerk of the Circuit Court is the issuing agent for marriage licenses.

Any couple, if one or both parties is a Florida resident, may take a 4-hour premarital preparation course or wait three (3) days before the marriage license goes into effect. To receive a waiver of the three-day waiting period, a premarital preparation course must be completed within one year prior to obtaining a marriage license and a valid certificate of completion must be presented to the Clerk’s Office. Taking the premarital preparation course also lowers the standard fee.

View the Roster of Premarital Preparation Course Providers in Manatee County.

Additionally, the couple must read and sign a statement that they have read the Family Law handbook or Manual de Derecho Familiar.

If all of the course requirements are met on the day of application, the marriage license will be issued and also be effective the same day. If the course requirements are not met on the date of application, the marriage license will be issued but will not be effective until three (3) days from the issue date. The expiration date will be sixty (60) days from the effective date and will appear on the license.

Notice: Florida Law Update FS 741.01 If you have a common child who was born in the State of Florida – there is an additional form that will be submitted to the Florida Department of Health . This will not be recorded and will be submitted along with your Marriage License once returned to our office. There is an additional fee of $2.00.

Who Can Apply for a Marriage License?

• Any male or female 18 years of age or older.
• A minor whose parents are deceased and has certified copies of both death certificates.
• With a judge’s approval, minors, who must swear under oath, that they are parents or expectant parents of a child.
• A previously married minor.
• Any male or female 16-17 years of age with both parents’ or legal guardians’ consent.

What Do We Need to Bring When We Apply for a Marriage License?

Both the bride-to-be and the husband-to-be need to be present when applying for a marriage license. Depending on which category applies to you, you will need to bring the following information:

Applicants 18 years of age or older:

• Valid government photo identification that shows the applicant’s date of birth (driver’s license, state ID, military ID, or passport)
• You must know your Social Security Number, if applicable.
• If previously married, you must provide the day, month, and year the previous marriage ended.
• Your signature will be required on the application.

Applicants 16-17 years of age must present EACH of the following:

• Valid government photo identification that shows the applicant’s date of birth (driver’s license, state ID, military ID, or passport)
• You must know your Social Security Number, if applicable.
• Certified copy of your birth certificate showing both parents’ names.
• Notarized consent form of both parents or consent of one parent in the case of divorce if the custodial parent has the authority to grant permission for the non-custodial parent. (This consent must be accompanied with a certified copy of the Court Order granting sole parental responsibility of the minor applicant to the custodial parent). If one or both parents of a minor are deceased, a certified copy of the death certificate is required.

Applicants under 16 years of age must present EACH of the following for consideration by a County Judge for issuance of a Marriage License:

• Valid government photo identification that shows the applicant’s date of birth (driver’s license, state ID, military ID, passport)
• You must know your Social Security Number, if applicable.
• Certified copy of your birth certificate showing both parents’ names.
• Notarized consent form of both parents or consent of one parent in the case of divorce if the custodial parent has the authority to grant permission for the non-custodial parent. (This consent must be accompanied with a certified copy of the Court Order granting sole parental responsibility of the minor applicant to the custodial parent). If one or both parents of a minor are deceased, a certified copy of the death certificate is required.
• Certificate from a licensed physician that the female is pregnant.
• An affidavit that the couple are the parents of an unborn child or an affidavit that the child is already born along with a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate.

For Affirmation of Common Child(ren) born in Florida – You must attest and provide:

• Child/s name as appears on Birth Certificate and date of birth
• Birth Certificate number
• Place of Birth/City and County in Florida

Additional Information

• Marriage License fees
• Frequently Asked Questions of the Marriage License division
• 1999 Family Law Handbook or Manual de Derecho Familiar
• Roster of Premarital Preparation Course Providers

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Dr. Justin D’Arienzo is Florida’s Leading Provider of Online Premarital Preparation and Premarital Counseling. He created an enjoyable and interactive online premarital preparation course that is certified in every county in Florida. Dr. D’Arienzo is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Certified Florida Supreme Court Family Mediator, Parenting Coordinator, Custody Evaluator, and Relationship Expert. If you are seeking individual psychotherapy, counseling in Jacksonville FL, couples and marriage counseling, family counseling, intensive marital therapy, or life coaching, D’Arienzo Psychological Group provides comprehensive psychological therapies and counseling utilizing research-based strategies. D’Arienzo Psychological Group is a full-service psychology firm, with mental health providers who specialize in areas including child and adolescent mental health counseling, behavior modification, psychotherapy for adults, group therapy, psychological assessment, life coaching, vocational counseling, organizational consulting and training, substance abuse treatment, anger management, premarital counseling, marital therapy, couples counseling, and forensic psychological services.