How to Elope in Florida: Everything You Need to Know

Florida is nicknamed the Sunshine State for a reason. With an average of 230 days a year of sunshine, it certainly earned the name. Whether you’re looking for a tropical, garden, beach elopement, or anything in between – Florida has a setting for every couple. The question remains, how to elope in Florida? 

The steps to make your Florida marriage legal, whether an elopement, a micro wedding or a traditional wedding, can feel complicated and tedious. With some planning and a little bit of help, it can be done quickly and stress free! Here, we’ll review:

• How to obtain a marriage license 
• How many witnesses are required for your Florida elopement
• All inclusive Florida elopement packages
• Top booked venues in Florida on Simply Eloped
• Post elopement: getting a marriage certificate
• Post elopement: changing your last name

How to Get a Florida Marriage License

Obtaining a marriage license in Florida is relatively easy. Every license is issued by a county court judge or circuit court clerk. Once you have your marriage license, you can get married in any county in Florida, regardless of where you got your marriage license. The steps to making an appointment with a circuit court clerk and obtaining a marriage license are as follows:

• Apply online and contact the Clerk of the Court to make your appointment
• Make an appointment, please be mindful that both parties need to be present 
• Bring a form of identification. This can include your driver’s license or valid passport. You also need to to provide both of your social security numbers, but do not need to provide your social security cards
• Cash or card for fees up to $93.50. If you and your spouse complete the licensed Florida pre-marital course, this fee will be reduced by $32.50.

Once issued, there is a three day waiting period before you can get married. This waiting period is waived if you can prove the competition of the Florida pre-marital course. From there, your license is valid for 60 days. Now it’s time to tie the knot!

For those who are not residents of Florida, you do not need to be a resident to get a marriage license. Once you receive your marriage license, you can get married in any county in the state.

Getting Your Marriage Certificate

The process of getting a marriage certificate starts at your marriage license appointment, where you will put your intended last name on your license. After your vows have been exchanged and your officiant has mailed your signed license, you’ll be able to order copies of your marriage certificate. The cost of receiving your first marriage certificate is $9.00, and $7.00 for any additional copies. It is recommended to get two. This is because as you’re changing your name, you’ll be using this document a lot. While in transition, it’s always good to have a backup in the event of an emergency. 

Do you Need a Witness for Your Florida Elopement

Florida does not require witnesses for weddings. However, there are two allowed to include up to two witness signatures on your marriage license.

Do I Need an Officiant for my Florida Wedding

Yes, only officials authorized by the state of Florida can officiate your marriage ceremony. Examples of these individuals are ordained ministers, clergy members, and Clerks of the County Circuit. Does it seem stressful to handle getting an officiant on your own? Simply Eloped is more than happy to coordinate you with a local, professional officiant.

All Inclusive Florida Elopement Packages

Simply Eloped offers a number of customizable elopement packages for your Louisiana Elopement! Our Seed, Simply Photographed, Sprout, Bloom, Oasis, and Wildflower packages are available in Louisiana. This provides each couple the unique opportunity to build their perfect, customizable elopement package from top to bottom. Here are a few details on each package. To see more information on each of these Louisiana elopement packages, click here.

• Seed Package Details: Includes professional officiant, personalized ceremony, advice on obtaining your marriage license and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Simply Photographed Details: Covers one hour of professional photography and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Sprout Package Details: Offers a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Bloom Package Details: Includes a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, a Nosegay bouquet and boutonniere, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Oasis Package Details: Covers professional officiant, two hours of photography, one hour of videography, hair and make up for one person, a Nosegay bouquet and boutonniere and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Wildflower Package Details: Our most customizable package. Includes a professional officiant, four hours of photography, coordinated transportation, customizable floral arrangements and a dedicated Elopement Specialist.

Places to Elope in Florida

Curious about top places to elope in Florida? Here are our top Floridian venues with all their details.

Smathers Beach

There’s nothing quite like a beach elopement. Perfect for sunrise or sunset, Smathers Beach is a beautiful, palm tree lined elopement or micro wedding venue that should top the list for anyone seeking a beachside ceremony. One of the best parts? Smathers Beach hosts events of up to 40 guests. So if you and your partner want to have an intimate celebration, but still be surrounded by loved ones – this is for you! 

Smathers Beach welcomes streaming, chairs, and acoustic music. It’s also free to park on the road, and has an on site bathroom. Alcohol, candles, sparklers, confetti and rice are not permitted. It’s also very important to note that this venue is not wheelchair accessible.

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

Looking for a lush garden elopement in the middle of historic St. Augustine? Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is a unique venue with two ceremony locations to choose from. Couples can choose to exchange vows surrounded by tropical greenery or along the park’s peaceful beachside. This venue requires a permit, which Simply Eloped will coordinate on  your behalf.

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park welcomes chairs, decor, and acoustic music. It also has an on site bathroom, is wheelchair accessible and has parking available. Alcohol, pets, candles, sparklers, confetti and rice are not permitted.

Kraft Azalea Park

Nestled in the Winter Park in Orlando, Florida, Kraft Azalea Park is a public garden right on the water of Lake Maitland. With towering Cypress trees and a beautiful structure called The Exedra, this park has a Mediterranean feel right in the heart of Florida. This venue requires a permit, which Simply Eloped will coordinate on your behalf.

Kraft Azalea Park welcomes streaming, and leashed pets. It’s also wheelchair accessible, has an on site bathroom, and a small parking lot. Please note however that chairs, decor, alcohol, candles and sparklers are not permitted. 

St. John’s County Beaches

Just south of St. Augustine, St. John’s County Beaches offers a quiet, intimate and tranquil elopement or micro wedding destination for couples looking for a beachside elopement. These county beaches have three locations: Vilano Beach, Crescent Beach, and North Beach. St. John’s County Beaches require a permit, which Simply Eloped will coordinate on your behalf.

St. John’s County Beaches welcome streaming, arches, natural flower petals, leashed pets, and acoustic music. Specific beaches are wheelchair accessible and have an on site bathroom as well. Please note that alcohol, candles, sparklers, artificial flower petals and rice are not permitted.

Gazebo at Langford Park

A hidden gem in Orlando, Florida, the Gazebo at Langford Park is an oasis in the heart of the city. Covered in lush greens and mature oaks, the Gazebo at Langford Park offers a tranquil, secluded elopement destination for couples looking to exchange vows with 45 loved ones. The Gazebo at Langford Park requires a permit, which Simply Eloped will coordinate on your behalf.

The Gazebo at Langford Park offers streaming, chairs, candles and sparklers (in specific containers,) leashed pets and acoustic music. It is also wheelchair accessible and has parking available. Please note however that there is no on site bathroom.

How to Change your Last Name in Florida

Changing your name in Florida is a five(ish) step process. The amount of steps you need to take will depend on if you need to file a name change petition. If your married name is present on your marriage certificate, you do not have to do this. Otherwise, that’ll be on your list of to-do’s. 

1. Get your marriage certificate: we won’t belabor the point on this. Get a few copies so you have legal proof of your marriage.
2. Update with Social Security: once you have your marriage certificate, make an appointment with the Social Security Administration (SSA,) to change your name on your social security card. You’ll have to do this in person, but you can file your application online prior to your in person appointment. Bring your marriage certificate, proof of identity (driver’s license, health insurance card, etc.,) and proof of citizenship (passport, birth certificate, for example) with you. You’ll need these to prove your identity.
3. Make an FLHSMV Appointment: After you’ve received your new social security card, it’s time to go to your local Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to update your driver’s license, car title, and registration.  You’ll need to make an in person appointment and apply for your name change while at the DMV. For your appointment, bring your current Florida driver’s license, proof of current name  (this is your marriage certificate,) proof of citizenship (your passport or birth certificate,) proof of social security (your new social security card,) proof of residency in the form of a bill or or bank statement, and a payment for fees of $25.00. While you’re there, ask about changing your name on your registration records. This includes your car title, registration and voting status. Additional fees will apply for the changes to your car title and registration.
4. Update Passport: once you have your new social security card and license, it’s time to update your passport. This process is standardized throughout the United States. The forms you will need to fill out are dependent on a few factors, like whether your passport is expired or not. To find out which documents apply to you, go to Travel.State.Gov. Once you have filled out the proper paperwork, you’ll need:
   • Your current passport
   • Your certified name change document (marriage license or otherwise)
   • A new color passport photo
   • Payment and other fees in the form of a check
5. Update other important information: Once you’ve completed the process of changing your name on your social security card, driver’s license and passport, you’ve legally completed the name change process! Now it’s time to change your name on non legal documents. Examples to consider are your insurance (health, car, home, renters,) employment, and credit cards. While a rather lengthy process, it is digestible if you just take it step by step.

Eloping is an exciting moment in you and your partner’s life! Though there’s a few steps to get you down the aisle, Simply Eloped is here to support you in the full process. To learn more about our packages and services, chat with one of our Personal Elopement Designers.

This article has been fact checked and reviewed for accuracy by a Simply Eloped Personal Elopement Specialist in January 2026.