Look Up Free Hillsborough County Marriage Records

Find free Hillsborough County marriage records today to reveal more about anyone’s marital status or history.

These public documents provide a glimpse into an important life event that’s been recorded.

In Florida, the legislature deems marriage certificates public records. Therefore, researchers will find the documents available and readily searchable free of charge. Using the steps outlined throughout this resource, searchers can track down the marriage certificates and records they seek.

How To View & Acquire Hillsborough County Marriage Records

Located in Tampa, the Clerk of Courts & Comptroller is the primary custodian of Hillsborough County marital records and certificates. This is the best place to start a search for marriage certificates.

For convenience, the clerk provides access online, in person, and by mail. The online search tool is preferable as it is easy to use and provides immediate access to the materials.

The clerk’s office has digitized thousands of marriage certificates. This allows record seekers to obtain a digital image or paper photocopy of the actual license. In many cases, this includes the names of the spouses, the date of marriage, and signatures.

Hillsborough County provides an online database to find marriage certificates from August 26, 1964 to the present through the Official Records Public Search tool. Users enter the name of one of the spouses and select the MAR option to search for the marriage record. You can set a date range to narrow the search.

For example, a searcher may need a marriage record from Tampa, the largest city in the county. They would begin by opening the Official Records Public Search tool. Then enter the required information such as one of the spouses’ first and/or last names and the MAR option under document type. Users can refine the search with a date range. Then all the county results, including Tampa will be displayed.

If the search returns a result, users click on the record, and a free image of the marriage certificate displays. Paper copies have a small fee of $1 per page. If a searcher needs a certified copy, the fee is $3. If anyone needs assistance with the online system, you can call 813-276-8100, extension 7805.

Citizens can also request a marriage certificate record through the mail. Users can print an application to simply write the request being sure to include both spouse’s names and an approximate date. Include a check payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for $3.

Clerk of the Circuit Court – Marriage
PO Box 3249
Tampa, Florida 33601-3249

Those who prefer to use the phone can also order copies of marriage certificates by calling (813) 276 – 8100. The caller must provide a credit card and pay a small fee (usually $3). A copy of the certificate will be mailed out in about 3 days.

For anyone living or traveling to Hillsborough County, there is an in-person option. Drop-ins are welcome to come into the clerk’s office and search for records at the following location:

Official Records Library
419 Pierce Street, Room 140
Tampa, Florida

Many records searchers need a certified copy of the marriage certificate. These official copies are often required for court proceedings such as probate or inheritance cases. Hillsborough County uses an e-Certify system where official copies can be requested and created.²

Where unofficial copies for informational purposes are free, certified copies have a small processing cost. These are billed at a $2 fee plus $1 per page. So most marriage certificates end up with a $3 cost.

These steps work well for the modern era marriage certificates. However, some citizens are not interested in recent materials, but instead are conducting genealogy research that stretches back into the past. There are several excellent resources for older historical marriage records in Hillsborough County, Florida.

How Do I Access Historical Records in Marriage in Hillsborough County Florida?

Genealogical researchers, historians, and others may seek older marriage information. There are several options to find these older records.

Marriage records from 1846 – 1972 are available online at the Hillsborough County Searchable Index.³ A similar database is maintained at the University of South Florida Hillsborough Marriage Records.⁴

Florida has a long history before statehood and no official government records were kept. Researchers looking to find information before 1846 can inquire with the Tampa Historical Society, the East Hillsborough Historical Society in Plant City, or with churches and other religious institutions.

Historically, the common law has allowed a couple living together for a long time to be recognized as married if they so choose even without a marriage certificate or ceremony. As of 1968, Florida no longer recognizes common law marriages. However, you may find them in the historical record through searches of old church records.

The State of Florida does not recognize any form of domestic partnership or union other than the officially recorded marriage. However, some counties and municipalities in Florida do recognize these partnerships. Though Hillsborough County does not, the City of Tampa officially records them through its Domestic Partnership Registry.⁵

Starting in 2015, same-sex marriages are recorded in Florida, and these records can be searched and found in the same way as opposite-sex marriages.

How To Locate Florida Marriage Records Outside of Hillsborough County

Sometimes record seekers think that a marriage occurred in Hillsborough County, only to find no records because the matrimony occurred in a neighboring county. Individuals can take a few steps to find such a record. The Hillsborough Clerk of the Court will not be able to assist you with locating these out-of-county marriage licenses and records.

First, check with surrounding county Clerks of the Court. Just like Hillsborough, Hardee, Manatee, Pasco, Polk, and Pinellas Counties all have local databases accessible as public records.

The Florida Department of Vital Statistics maintains a statewide database of marriage records.⁶ Researchers can use this feature to locate marriages outside of Hillsborough no matter which record custodian holds the material.

The Bureau of Vital Statistics offers walk-in or mail-in services. To save time and make the process move along, download and complete the Application for Florida Marriage License Record. The Bureau of Vital Statistics may be reached at (904) 359-6900, ext. 9000.

Walk-ins are welcome to engage in the search process:

Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
1217 N Pearl Street,
Jacksonville, FL 32202

Lobby hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Payments can be made by cash, check, or credit card. There is a $5 non-refundable search fee and one certified copy, with additional copies costing $4 each. Rush fees may be required if you have a specific request for a fast turnaround.

Mail-in applications are also accepted at:

Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, Fl 
32231-0042

Florida also outsources this service to VitalChek, a third-party, state-approved vendor.⁸ A statewide search usually costs about $22 for the first search and between $2 to $4 on additional searches.

How To Request a Hillsborough County Marriage License

Couples looking to obtain a current Florida marriage license will find what they need with the Clerk of the Court; all necessary information can be found on the Marriage License Department website.⁹ If you have questions, you can call the department at (813) 276-8100.

Marriage certificates can be issued in person, or via Zoom; either way, the prospective newlyweds can fill out the Marriage License Application online.¹⁰

For either option, it is highly recommended to book a time through the online appointment. Couples may also call to check on scheduling at (813) 276-8100, where depending upon call volume and staffing you can also make an appointment.

Walk-ins with no appointments are welcome, but not guaranteed to be served depending on the amount of appointments. The locations are at the following addresses:

Downtown Tampa Office
419 Pierce St, Room 140
Tampa, FL 33602

Brandon Regional Service Center
311 Pauls Dr, Suite 110
Brandon, FL 33511

Plant City Courthouse
301 N Michigan Ave, Room 1071
Plant City, FL 33563

You can read the details of the applying via Zoom within the Online Marriage License Process.¹²

Couples begin by filling out the online marriage license application and submitting it to the clerk. The clerk replies with an email with an appointment time and a Zoom link. Both parties attend the Zoom and proceed just as if it were an in-person meeting. You receive a digital copy of the license after the meeting and receive the hard copy later.

To qualify for a marriage license, a few provisions must be met:

• Both parties must be present
• Both parties must be over 18 years of age
• Valid driver’s licenses, passport, or state IDs must be presented
• Both people must read the Florida Marriage Handbook

Couples pay a nonrefundable fee of $81 for the license. There is then a 3-day waiting period after the license is issued before the marriage can take place. The engaged couple should be mindful of this requirement and avoid last-minute applications.

So you can see that the Clerk of the Court & Comptroller has promulgated documentation for marriage research and obtaining a marriage license. This makes it convenient to find what you are looking for with a step by step process.

By utilizing these steps, you can find Hillsborough County marriage records free of charge from the current era and from historical times, or apply for a current marriage license.