How to elope in Florida
How to elope in Florida (license, wait time, and ceremony)
Florida is one of the easiest states to elope — no residency, no blood test, and no witnesses required. Katherine Imundi is a licensed Florida notary and elopement officiant who walks couples through the license, waiting period, and a custom ceremony in Orlando, Disney-area venues, gardens, lakes, and beaches.
Reddit and Google searches for how to elope in Florida usually come down to the same questions: Do we need witnesses? Is there a waiting period? Can tourists marry the same day? Who can legally marry us? This guide answers those first, then shows how to book a warm, personal ceremony instead of a courthouse script.
The legal piece is simple. You apply for a Florida marriage license at any county clerk (or by mail through Lake County with Katherine's help), wait three days if either of you is a Florida resident — unless you complete an approved premarital course — then have an authorized officiant perform the ceremony anywhere in the state. Non-residents typically have no waiting period and can often pick up the license and marry the same day.
How to elope in Florida, step by step
- Choose your date and place — Garden, lake, beach, backyard, Disney-area hotel, or a hidden spot in Mount Dora or Clermont. Katherine travels to your venue as a mobile officiant.
- Apply for a Florida marriage license — Any county clerk works statewide. Out-of-state and international couples can apply in person; Katherine also helps with Lake County by-mail applications.
- Check the waiting period — Florida residents wait three days unless they complete a registered premarital course. If both of you live out of state, there is usually no wait.
- Book your officiant — Florida does not require witnesses — only a valid license and someone legally able to solemnize the marriage. Katherine writes the ceremony and files the license after the vows.
- Get married within 60 days — The license is valid for 60 days. After the ceremony, the signed license must be returned to the issuing clerk within 10 days.
Do you need witnesses to get married in Florida?
No. Florida does not require wedding witnesses. You only need both partners, a valid Florida marriage license, and an authorized officiant. Many couples still invite a photographer, a friend, or their dog — but it is optional.
Is there a waiting period for a Florida marriage license?
Yes for Florida residents: the license takes effect three days after issuance unless you complete an approved premarital preparation course (which can also reduce the clerk's fee). If both partners are non-residents, there is typically no waiting period — that is why Florida is a favorite same-day elopement destination for tourists.
Can out-of-state couples elope in Florida the same day?
Often yes. There is no Florida residency or U.S. citizenship requirement. Non-residents usually apply at a clerk's office, receive the license, and can marry the same day. Bring government photo ID. If either partner was previously married, have the exact date and place of divorce, death, or annulment ready.
What Katherine offers
- Just the two of you — No witnesses required — gardens, beaches, Disney-area hotels, and backyards welcome.
- License help included — Katherine is a Florida notary and can guide Lake County by-mail steps for destination couples.
- Custom vows, not a courthouse script — Short and sweet or story-rich — written for your tone and setting.
Common questions
How do you elope in Florida legally?
Get a Florida marriage license from any county clerk, observe the three-day wait if you are a Florida resident (or waive it with a premarital course), then have an authorized officiant perform the ceremony in Florida. No witnesses, blood test, or residency are required.
How much does it cost to elope in Orlando?
The clerk's marriage license is typically around $86 (less with a premarital course). Officiant fees depend on date, location, and ceremony length — contact Katherine at 407-619-0173 for current pricing. A 50% deposit reserves your date.
Can we elope at Disney or a Florida beach?
Yes. Katherine officiates Disney-area, Lake Buena Vista, Kissimmee, and coastal elopements in Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, and New Smyrna Beach. She also leads garden and lakefront elopements in Mount Dora, Clermont, and Winter Park.
Do we need two witnesses for a Florida elopement?
No. Florida does not require witnesses. Katherine can legally marry you with just the two of you present.