Florida law prohibits a person marrying anyone to whom they are related by lineal consanguinity*. The nearest degree of relations who may legally marry in the state of Florida is first cousins. [*Lineal consanguinity is "the term used to describe the blood relationship between people who descend in a straight line, such as son, father, grandfather." Black's Law Dictionary]

No. There is no citizenship or residency requirement to be allowed to marry in the State of Florida.

A new marriage license can be issued to a minor age 17 years in the State of Florida under the following circumstances:

• Minor must be 17 years of age and the other party to the marriage is no more than 2 years older than the minor.
• A certified copy or original birth certificate is required for the minor.
• A notarized statement of consent from *both parents listed on the minor's birth certificate, along with a copy of both parents' government-issued photo identification (state driver's license, state identification card, passport, military identification is required).
• A notarized affidavit from the minor and from the future spouse.
• *If a parent of the minor is deceased, an original copy of the parent's death certificate is required.
• *If a parent of the minor has sole custody, a certified copy of the custody order is required.

NOTE: Documents submitted in any language other than English are required to have a notarized English translation.

Your spouse-to-be must be located in a Florida Correctional Facility and you must obtain written permission to marry from the correctional facility, before you can apply for a new marriage license. For further instructions, please contact the Official Records Department at (813) 276-8100.

Yes, persons of the same sex can obtain a marriage license. Effective January 6, 2015, the State of Florida permits couples of the same gender to marry.