Pinellas County Marriage Record Search

Marriage records searches provide valuable insights into legally married individuals in Pinellas County. These records are public and are kept by the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Office. They serve as official documentation of marriage events and are helpful for legal proceedings, genealogical research, proof of marital status, social security benefits, and background checks.

By conducting a search, a record seeker can access marriage records that include important information like the spouse's full name, marriage date, officiant information, and marriage location. The Clerk releases marriage records dating back to May 1972, and related information may also be featured in Pinellas County court records.

Are Marriage Records Public?

Yes. The Florida Public Records Law grants every citizen in the state the right to inspect and copy marriage records, as these are classified as public information. The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller makes marriage records available to the public once a returned marriage license has been officially recorded. However, unreturned marriage licenses remain confidential (Florida Statutes § 741.09). These licenses are not disclosed publicly until the marriage has occurred and the license is returned to the Clerk.

Types of Marriage Records in Pinellas County

The most common types of marriage records available in Pinellas County are:

• A commemorative marriage certificate: This document bears the signatures of the current Florida Governor and the State Registrar of the Bureau of Vital Statistics. It cannot be used for official purposes; it is only suitable for framing and preserving as a family heirloom. Interested persons can obtain a commemorative marriage certificate by mail or in person at the Bureau's Office. The first certificate costs $30, which includes a $5 search fee and extra fees for additional copies. Mail applicants must complete a DH 261C Application for Commemorative Marriage Certificate Form, and fees can be paid in the form of a check or money order.
• Marriage license: This document shows a person's marital status. It only becomes available when a couple submits a marriage application to the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. After the marriage license is issued, the couple has to wait 3 days for it to be effective (Florida Statute 741.04(5)). The couple must get married within 60 days, which begins on the issue date and ends on the expiration date written on the license. A marriage licenses become public once returned to the Clerk's office after the wedding ceremony.
• Marriage certificate: This certificate abstracts information from a marriage license and can be used as evidence that a marriage was finalized and recorded. It is usually generated when a wedding occurs, and the marriage license is returned to the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Office for filing and recording. The Clerk will then send the marriage record to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics for permanent filing within 60 days.

How to Find Marriage Records in Pinellas County

Individuals can find marriage records in Pinellas County through the following ways:

• Online or in person at the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Office
• Online, by mail, or in person at the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
• In-person at the Florida Department of State's Division of Library and Information Services

Pinellas County Marriage License Lookup

Members of the public can view marriage licenses from May of 1972 to the present at the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Official Records site. The Clerk does not charge a fee to use this website. To conduct a search, users need a name, instrument number, doc type, book/page number, marriage date, or case number. Record seekers who prefer copies of marriage licenses should submit their requests using the Clerk's Online Copy Request and Payment Center. They will have to pay a fee by card to complete the request. Alternatively, they can view and purchase copies in person at the Clearwater Courthouse during business hours. A copy of a marriage license costs $3.

Where Do I Get A Certified Copy Of My Marriage Certificate

Once a marriage license is recorded with the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Office, the Clerk will provide the couple with a certified copy of the marriage certificate for free. Subsequent copies of such certificates can be obtained online or in person from the office for $3. Online copies can be purchased at the Online Copy Request and Payment Center, while in-person requests should be made at:

Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Clearwater Courthouse
315 Court Street
Room 163
Clearwater, FL 33756
Phone: (727) 464-7000
Email: recording@mypinellasclerk.gov

Get a Marriage Certificate Online in Pinellas County

Record seekers can purchase copies of marriage certificates from the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Online Copy Request and Payment Center. On getting to the center, click the "All Request" tab, scroll down to the "Official Records/Recording – Copy Request," and click on the select tab. New users should create accounts and log in with their email addresses and passwords. A certified copy of the marriage certificate costs $3.

Find Public Marriage Records Free Online

Record seekers can find unofficial copies of marriage records at no cost using the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Official Records Search tool. Users can use multiple search functions to locate the appropriate marriage record:

• Name (indexed names, doc type, book type, date range)
• Instrument number (instrument number & book type)
• Doc type (doc type, date range)
• Book/page (book & page numbers, date range)
• Case number (court case number, filter, doc type, date range)

An alternative means to find public marriage records for free online is through third-party platforms. Users must provide a name to utilize such platforms. However, they can provide additional search criteria to streamline the search. Unfortunately, most users find free search returns insufficient and prefer to pay a small fee to conduct comprehensive searches.