Florida is one of the few states in the U.S. that allows notaries public to perform wedding ceremonies. The others are:Maine, Nevada, South Carolina, and a parish in Louisiana..
If the notary is not a member of the clergy, the marriage they perform is strictlycivil, according to Florida laws (FS 117.045 and 741.07[1]).
🔹 1. Procedure for a marriage with a Notary Public in Florida
✅ The couple must present avalid marriage license, issued by a county judge or the circuit court clerk.
✅ The notary can perform the ceremony anywherewithin the state of Florida..
✅ This is a legal act recognized by the State and has the same validity as a ceremony performed by a judge or minister.
🔹 2. Marriage Certificate
📄 The Notary Public must:
Complete the certificate in the corresponding section of themarriage license..
Return the license to thecounty judge's officeor to thecircuit court clerkwho issued it.
Comply with the deadline of10 days after the ceremony, as established by law (FS 741.08).
🔹 3. Can notaries public marry relatives?
✔️ Yes. Unlike other notarial acts,there is no prohibition.for a notary public to perform marriages for children, parents, or other relatives.
📌 The reason: The notary publicis not certifying a signature, but is only legalizing the marriage union according to the law.
💡 This interpretation is supported by theOpinion of the Florida Attorney General (1991, 91-70).
🔹 4. Fees for the ceremony
💲 Notaries public in Florida can charge up to$30to solemnize a marriage.
This fee is the same that circuit court clerks can chargefor similar services (FS 117.045 and 28.24[29]). por servicios similares (FS 117.045 y 28.24[29]).
🔹 5. Why choose Golden Seal for your civil ceremony in Florida?
✅ We coordinate the entire process: from verifying your marriage license to delivering the certificate to the court.
✅ We perform personalized, professional civil ceremonies that comply with the law.
✅ Attention forlocal couplesor those traveling to Florida to get married.
✅ Accessible and transparent service, with fees regulated by state law.
📌 Important:Marriage performed by a notary in Florida islegal and valid throughout the United States, with the same force as any other civil marriage.